Cece Gonzalez is just five years old and already, her mom is worried about her future growing up in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Like most parents, Justine Gonzalez just wants a good education for her daughter.

But as a transgender Latina, she has more struggles than most. This week, she is particularly frustrated about the increasing possibility of a teachers' strike.

“A majority of parents in the district feel let down and desperate to find a good education for their children,” Gonzalez said.

Cece is still in preschool, but Gonzalez isn’t wasting any time working for change. She ran for the special election for the open seat on Board District 5 last year but dropped out in December. She said the race simply became too expensive for a working mom raising a child in Echo Park.

But the race gave her valuable insight into a school district she says is toxic. Political infighting over the balance between independent charter schools and traditional campuses has divided the school board and pitted teachers against their own superintendent, whom they view as “pro-charter.”

Now with a strike looming, Gonzalez says vulnerable students are caught in the middle of a bitter battle between adults.

“So many of our students rely on school for a stable place during the week,” Gonzalez said.

In fact, 80 percent of LAUSD students live at or below the poverty line, according to statistics from the district. Those kids have the most to lose during a strike, when their teachers, who may be among their few constants during the day, are gone.

That's why many working parents will be sending their kids across the picket line.

“We don’t have the flexibility to not send her to school at this point,” Gonzalez said.

After a snack, the mother and daughter head to a nearby park to play. Gonzalez is planning to keep Cece in LAUSD, despite the temptation to move to another district. After all, she is a proud product of the district herself.

“I think we all have our students at heart in this so I’m hoping over the next few days both parties can come together to reach an agreement,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez hopes a new contract for teachers will do more than avert a strike and begin to repair a district in turmoil.