Priorities

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered our educational landscape, highlighting the urgent need for our district to innovate and adapt to ensure the well-being of every student. Now more than ever, it is crucial to create robust systems that maintain strong connections with students and swiftly identify the social and emotional challenges they may face.

As a Board Member, I am committed to promoting a diverse range of distance learning models that empower our teachers, keep parents actively informed, and remain flexible to meet the unique learning needs of every student. These models will enhance academic achievement and prioritize our students' mental and emotional health.

I will champion programs that instill conscientiousness, self-confidence, perseverance, and the ability to manage stress. In a predominantly virtual environment, it is crucial that we implement comprehensive policies to prevent cyberbullying and ensure that students have access to the support they need. I will work tirelessly to increase the availability of counselors and mental health resources in our schools, placing a strong emphasis on mental and emotional well-being.

Moreover, I will advocate for increased funding for before and after-school programs, recognizing their critical role in providing students with a safe and supportive environment. Additionally, I will push for affordable childcare options to support working parents.

With these initiatives, we can create a safer, more supportive educational environment that nurtures the whole child—academically, emotionally, and socially.

A good education system is not just about academics; it’s about ensuring opportunities are available for students across the Board. The district should be concerned about nurturing the whole child, not just a progress report. I envision a system that will focus on academic success and develop essential social and emotional competencies for lifelong success while ensuring opportunities are available for all students, especially our vulnerable students.  I will work to increase support for low-performing schools and ensure that the district focuses on closing the opportunity gap for Black, Latino, and students from low-income households. Funding after-school programs that strengthen literacy and provide an outlet for positive activity will be one of my top priorities.

Treatment of students with special needs is an emotional issue and rightfully so. Full inclusion is being pushed as the miracle cure in special education: the one-size-fits-all fix for autism, ADHD, behavioral issues, emotional problems, and learning differences. While full inclusion has its virtues, it should not replace small group direct instruction which has been proven highly effective with special needs students. In addition to inclusion our children should have an opportunity to receive the unique services they deserve: speech and occupational therapies, small group activities, one-on-one tutoring, and direct instruction. I will hold site-level administrators and management at Ed Center accountable for full Implementation of IEP’s.

Our educators are the cornerstone of student success and must be given the respect, support, and resources they need to excel. It's time for a fresh perspective that prioritizes collaboration and mutual respect.

As a Board Member, I will advocate for building strong, collaborative partnerships in every school and classroom. Educators deserve to be heard and have a decisive voice in shaping the policies that impact their work and their students. A strong seat at the bargaining table for educators is not just a matter of fairness—it's essential for fostering an environment where both teachers and students can thrive.

I am committed to ensuring our teachers have the resources they need to succeed, from up-to-date classroom materials to ongoing professional development opportunities. By working together, we can create a district where educators feel valued and supported and where every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

As a school board member, transparency will be one of my top priorities. I will push for open decision-making processes, ensuring that the voices of all stakeholders, especially parents, teachers, and students, are heard. I believe in bringing more public discussion to the board and fostering an environment where community input is valued and encouraged. Genuine accountability in our schools is crucial, and I will advocate for stronger checks and balances to ensure that we are delivering on our promises to students and families.

If I win this election, I promise to make a meaningful difference in how decisions are made. I will work tirelessly to represent the unrepresented and to ensure that our school board operates with the utmost transparency and integrity. Together, we can create a more inclusive, accountable, and responsive school system that truly reflects the needs of our community.