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Are you currently a school board member? (Y/N)
No
How many school board meetings did you attend last year?
7
I earned my Ph.D. in Social Work which provided me with a deeper understanding of human behavior, mental health, and evidence-based interventions. I hold several professional licenses and certifications, including Licensed Chemical Dependency Professional (LCDP) and Licensed Social Worker (LSW). I have actively participated in various workshops and training sessions focused on areas such as; Substance Use Disorders and Treatment Modalities, Trauma-Informed Care, Cultural Competency and Diversity Training, etc. These experiences have honed my skills in communication, conflict resolution, and community engagement, essential competencies for effective leadership on the school board.
Broadly, some of the challenges we currently face is the lack of consistent mental health support in schools. Issues like anxiety & trauma often show up as behavior problems or academic struggles. When we focus only on grades or discipline, we risk missing the root causes. A more holistic approach, centered on emotional awareness, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed practices, can help students and teachers feel safe, supported, and ready to succeed. Secondly, teachers are expected to meet growing demands while managing complex student needs. Offering practical tools, training, and stronger collaboration between educators and support staff can reduce burnout. Lastly, protecting the freedom to learn and promoting inclusion is key
We need to empower our students with knowledge through freedom of learning. Students need to feel seen, heard,& given a fair & transparent opportunity to learn. Giving educators more ownership in their classrooms and allowing students greater autonomy in how and what they learn leads to higher engagement, stronger outcomes, and increased productivity. When teachers are trusted as professionals and students feel empowered in their learning, both are more motivated and invested in the process. When schools limit expression or prioritize rigid standards over creativity and connection, students disengage. By supporting inclusive practices, diverse perspectives, and student voices, we help create classrooms where all students feel they belong.
As a social worker I have dedicated over 15 years of working with underserved vulnerable populations from those who suffer from severe persistent mental illness to at-risk youth. I have learned that being culturally responsive & demonstrating cultural competence and humility play an important role in supporting and problem-solving for those we serve. Visibility as a board member and access to/with our educators is key, especially for reasons of building bridges to provide adequate resources our community needs. As a social worker, I have had to support those who have struggled with food & housing insecurities, to those who have learning disabilities, and with these challenges access to resources is vital so use of a needs assessment is key.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
Facilitating change requires a willingness to grow and a thoughtful assessment of how we allocate our resources. It’s important to examine the full scope of the district’s budget, including how funds are distributed and whether they align with current priorities. We must be intentional about reallocating funds where they are most needed, such as ensuring our educators are compensated competitively & enhancing the safety of our students & staff. As a school board member, I will be a strong advocate for responsible financial management & equitable treatment for all students and educators. My goal is to help build a district that is both financially sustainable and academically forward-thinking, without placing additional burden on taxpayers.
Assessing student achievement requires exploring all the dynamics of the classroom.Student achievement is shaped by many factors, including student-teacher relationships, mental well-being & whether basic needs like food security are being met. It also depends on how well students understand their exams & whether those assessments are culturally responsive and relevant to their experiences. As a school board member, I believe that we should be engaged in the classroom setting. From a transformational and servant leadership perspective, truly effective leadership begins with listening. To serve those we lead, we must first seek to understand the challenges they face, only then can we support meaningful growth and positive change.
Campaign Phone
302-690-8487
Neighborhood/area of residence
Estates at Saint Anne's, Middletown
Are you currently a school board member? (Y/N)
No
How many school board meetings did you attend last year?
Four via online, four in person.
My wife Lori and I are proud parents to three amazing kids. All three went through the Appoquinimink School District, from first grade to senior year. I have been a business owner for over 30 years, I prioritize great staff by providing a superior work environment while maintaining a budget. Owning a business has afforded me the time to volunteer on multiple levels throughout our kids’ time in school. In addition to volunteering at our kids’ schools, I’ve been involved in various organizations. I served on the finance committee and headed the Ministers of Hospitality at Saint Margaret’s. I was President of the Canal Little League and served on the Board for five years. I also participated in campaigns for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Our school district has hit some rough patches and seems unfamiliar compared to what our children were so blessed to have had in the past. Emerging from the pandemic along with growing pains have been causes for some of our setbacks. However, based on testing scores and other indicators, our kids remain stagnant and in some cases still slipping. I think our classroom environment is a big reason for this. Moreover, consequently, our teacher’s morale is at an all-time low, as it appears that they have less and less control over their classrooms. I believe that by listening to their concerns and collaborating, we can collectively create a more conducive learning environment for our students.
I believe the school board should respond officially, as with every concern, after honest dialogue and discussion based on facts through the lens of the community. Official stances by the board should be of one voice, and any public descent by a member of the decision should be respectful.
I believe the way a school district prioritizes it’s students with special needs is one of the key indicators of it’s effectiveness as a public school district. There is a lot to consider as certain levels of care are partially subsidized by the State and Federal governments and therefore assessed needs and services can be mandated depending on the student. However, the funds allocated by these entities are nowhere near enough to meet the accommodations of each student. In the Appo school district, there’s a concerning rise in children with autism. These kids will need and deserve extra support and resources to thrive. It is therefore the Board’s responsibility to prioritize resources to assure these students and all of our students.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
I believe that giving school districts more control over how they use the resources they receive from different levels would improve their ability to meet their septic needs. In Delaware, like most states, the state provides funding, but it also comes with mandate and regulation. Some of these rules make sense for the whole state, but others might work better for some school districts than others. Although being a state-level issue, I would like to see a larger portion of the state funding free of these regulations so the Appo community can direct the resources that better reflect and service the needs of our schools.
I believe we need to find a common solution to create a better atmosphere for learning for all our students. It seems disruption and distraction are becoming more prevalent in our classrooms. Combined with our teachers’ ever-broadening non-teaching responsibilities and the policy that has them more and more autonomous, I feel our students need to adhere to our already implemented code of conduct to create better structure and school unity. I also believe we need to direct more of the school’s resources to the classrooms and provide our teachers with the support and the tools they need to focus on the job they love, to teach our kids.
