I am running for reelection to the Glen Rock Board of Education because I care deeply about our community and the children who are growing up here. My motivation is rooted in an authentic commitment to community service.
Over my past term, I have worked to strengthen our schools by supporting teachers, listening to families and helping make decisions that ensure every student has access to a high-quality education that prepares them for post-secondary success. Our schools are at the heart of our community, and I strongly believe in continuing the progress that has been made - expanding opportunities, fostering inclusion and being responsible stewards of our resources.
I hope to build on this foundation so that our schools remain a source of pride for all stakeholders and where all students can learn, grow and thrive.
I believe mutual respect is the foundation of effective communication and collaboration. Respect, paired with our shared commitment to our students, is a powerful tool for progress.
As a board member, I demonstrate my respect for the district administrative team by asking thoughtful questions, recognizing their experience and expertise, listening without bias and engaging in productive dialogue on how best to support our students. In addition, I attend various school events - from musicals to robotics competitions and from sports to graduations - so I can see firsthand all our efforts in action.
I understand - and as a parent I relate to - wanting to know that our students are receiving the best possible education, grounded in current research and evolving technology. It's partly why I decided to run for a board seat three years ago. It's also why I was pleased when the district hired content supervisors to be responsible for staying informed on research and trends, translating research into best practices, reviewing and developing curriculum and more. As a board member, I recognize the opportunity I have to ensure that the district has a transparent and rigorous curriculum review process in place. That means asking questions about how new research and best practices are being considered, supporting professional development for teachers and encouraging opportunities for parent feedback. By maintaining open communication and holding the district accountable to high standards, I can help assure parents that our curriculum remains both relevant and responsive to students’ needs.
We are so very fortunate to have such dedicated educators serving the students of Glen Rock! Supporting and retaining excellent teachers begins with listening to their needs and creating an environment where they feel valued.
We have had an ongoing focus on supporting an appropriate balance of educational excellence and personal wellness for staff (and students too!) that began with a Culture & Climate survey and continues to inform internal practices, as well as professional development and recognition. Just this past June we recognized nearly three dozen teachers and staff with 25 years or more service with Glen Rock Public Schools. As a trustee, I will continue to do what I can to foster a supportive culture by ensuring open lines of communication with administration and providing the resources teachers need to do their jobs well. When teachers know they are heard, supported, and appreciated, they are more likely to remain and thrive in our district.
Fiscal responsibility is not a choice, but a fundamental obligation of all trustees in order to deliver a high quality education that meets student and community needs. Whatever the budget environment is, I remain committed to ensuring our students continue to have access to high-quality education and opportunities to succeed. Our responsibility as a board is to have open communication with the administrative team and together make careful, transparent decisions that keep students at the center. As a current trustee, I am voting yes to approve our 2025-26 district goals that include an action plan to address the rising costs of employee health benefits and a continued effort to reduce the use of excess surplus. I will continue to prioritize protecting classroom instruction and student services, while looking for efficiencies in other areas, seeking creative partnerships, and advocating for additional funding where possible.
I am a long-time Glen Rock resident and have raised my four children here—two recent graduates and two still in our schools. I care deeply about the success of our district. Education is the one investment that can never be taken away; it shapes a child’s opportunity and path for life.
I am running for the Board of Education to strengthen Glen Rock schools by focusing on academic excellence, retaining and supporting our teachers, fostering open communication with the community, and ensuring our curriculum meets the needs of every student. With a background in economics and business, I bring strong skills in budget analysis and fiscal stewardship.
My priorities: deliver academic excellence through a strong curriculum, retain top teaching talent, advocate for all students—including those with IEPs, 504s, and gifted programs.
I joined the Board last year to fill a vacancy. One thing I quickly learned: real progress only happens when the administration and Board work in true partnership. Without collaboration and open communication, even the best initiatives stall. For example, if the Board wants to understand how a program is performing, the most effective way is through timely discussions and readouts.
When communication breaks down, it becomes a much more formal—and painfully slower—process to get answers. I believe strongly in proactive communication. I would push for regular updates from the administration on issues tied to district goals, while also ensuring community input is considered and shared.
When administrators feel trusted and supported, they are empowered to run our schools effectively. When the Board has transparent, consistent information, it can provide strong oversight.
My approach is to listen, ask thoughtful questions, and communicate to all.
I advocate for a structured curriculum review that brings together teachers, subject experts, and parents to evaluate against the most current research. It’s easy to assume this already happens - but in reality, it requires a deliberate, ongoing effort.
Take literacy as an example. Up until this year, Glen Rock was using a balanced literacy curriculum developed by Fountas & Pinnell. Research has increasingly shown that the three-cueing method is ineffective in helping students become fluent, confident readers. It has even been banned in some states. In response, NJ adopted a new literacy framework in 2024 which emphasizes an evidence-based, phonics-driven approach.
This shift underscores an important lesson: Glen Rock should not wait for state mandates to drive change. Instead, we should proactively monitor curriculum choices, track student progress and ensure teachers receive latest training in evidence-based practices and invest our school dollars in effective classroom materials.
A strong teacher base drives a school’s success. You may have heard Glen Rock has a “teacher problem” – too many have left. Yet, there’s no clear, public data on actual numbers. How many are leaving? We don’t know - it’s not quantified publicly. I would advocate for this data to be captured. I would push for staff exit interviews - because we can’t solve what we don’t measure. The top two reasons people leave a job (outside of pay) is (1) lack of appreciation and (2) poor work environment. So, let’s improve both: ensure teachers feel valued, supported, and equipped with what they need to succeed. That means professional growth opportunities, more classroom resources, competitive salaries, manageable class sizes, a supportive environment. Retaining teachers saves the district money, fosters continuity for students, attracts out of district tuition paying students and strengthens school culture. In a time of teacher shortages, keeping great educators is critical for long-term success.
The U.S. Dept of Education’s FY 2026 budget includes $12 billion in cuts to public education, with districts expected to lose an average of $220,000. At the same time, Glen Rock’s health care costs skyrocketed by $809K in just 1 year, putting enormous strain on our schools. With funding declining and expenses climbing, districts must either cut programs or generate new revenue.
I’d advocate for a balanced approach - generate more, spend less. Generate income through tuition-based summer enrichment programs, attracting out-of-district tuition-paying students, pursuing private foundation grants, athletic sponsorships, and launching an alumni giving network that taps into Glen Rock’s strong alumni base. On the cost side, we can continue to refinance outstanding debt with lower-interest bonds, maximize shared services with the town, and invest in energy efficiency projects.
My motivation stems from 1) 35+ years as a teacher & admin - my "occu-passion" & deep commitment to ensuring all students have access to the best education. 2) a resident for nearly 50 years, I've witnessed the strength of our schools. As a proud graduate of GRHS, & raised four children who attended K-12, I want increased transparency, fiscal responsibility, inclusive policies, & to be your voice. As a nonpartisan educator & admin., I want an environment where educational standards continue to evolve, rooted in the GR values I know & have loved: schools that excel. This election is vital. The new board will hire a superintendent. We must hire someone who is committed to upholding our high standards. I bring data-driven decision-making, transparent budgeting, & strong alliance with families & staff, so all students have the opportunity to succeed in a safe, inclusive environment.
Effective communication & trust are essential for a district's success. I support transparent & open dialogue with the district's admin. team, creating structured opportunities for ongoing conversations & feedback. Reinstituting routine committees is crucial for transparency & ability to directly discuss specific topics with admin. in a non-threatening environment. Building a foundation of mutual respect helps to create a collaborative & trusting relationship. Instituting Climate & Culture surveys for all stakeholder groups, 2x a year, provides valuable feedback to the admin. & the board. I believe in clear goal-setting to ensure administrative decisions align with the district’s vision & that the Board is fully informed, able to provide timely support, & make adjustments as needed. As a Trustee, I value input from parents & the community, seen during my 2020-23 term. I support open dialogue with the admin. team to enable the sharing of community input gathered for consideration.
Parents deserve assurance that the curriculum stays current & is cutting-edge. I advocate for a continuous review by educators, subject-matter experts, data teams, & administrators who report trends, needs, & program changes. Updates: guided by district data, research, tech advances, & emerging global trends, grounded in evidence-based practices. Curriculum committees, district- & school-based, need public reporting that is transparent & well-informed regarding purchases and implementation timelines. I support summer reviews, as curriculum is a living document. In Aug. 2022, during the health curriculum community concern, I listened to community concerns & as a trustee, seconded a motion to allow parents time to review the new curriculum before the board adopted it, then voted yes. As an experienced educator, I ask questions & access the latest research. I have partnered with higher ed. institutions & professional associations to adopt best practices & integrate relevant technology.
Teachers are the backbone of our schools, & we must ensure that they feel supported & valued. I would focus on initiatives that prioritize professional development, competitive compensation, & wellness programs. This includes offering ongoing training to help teachers stay at the forefront of education, providing sufficient planning time, & ensuring they have the necessary resources in the classroom. Additionally, I would advocate for supporting programs for new teachers, so they feel equipped to succeed, supported, & stay in the profession in the long term. Having a solid leadership team will be vital for teacher retention. My mantra has always been, “When teachers are happy, students are happy. When students are happy, parents are happy. When parents are happy, the Board & the community will be happy.” Finally, fostering a culture of recognition and feedback, where teachers feel heard, appreciated, & celebrated for their hard work, is essential to retaining our best teachers.
In the face of potential funding cuts, prioritizing the core elements that directly impact student learning will be key. I know exactly what I am looking at, line by line. I would propose a comprehensive review of all district expenditures to identify areas where we can achieve cost savings without compromising the quality of education. This could involve streamlining admin. costs, exploring shared services/partnerships with local gov, business/ nonprofits for additional support, & prioritizing investments that directly benefit students, such as teacher salaries, classroom materials, & essential technology. I would also explore alternative funding sources, such as grants, & work closely with the community to ensure that everyone understands the importance of continued investment in education. Ultimately, I insist on being fiscally responsible, with the focus remaining on what benefits the students the most, ensuring that, despite budget constraints, quality education is not sacrificed.
I’m running for the Board of Education because Glen Rock’s schools have shaped my family’s life for over 15 years, and I want to give back. As a parent of two students and a Rutgers lecturer with a career at Meta, Amazon, and Uber, I know how critical it is to prepare our kids for a rapidly changing world. My priorities are: Future-Ready Education—bringing age-appropriate AI literacy, coding, and digital ethics into classrooms; Academic Excellence—supporting evidence-based teaching, individualized learning, and student wellness; and Support for Educators—ensuring teachers have the tools, training, and resources to thrive. I will also foster Community Partnership so decisions reflect our shared values, and champion Equity & Inclusion to ensure every student succeeds and feels a sense of belonging.
Effective communication and collaboration with the district’s administrative team starts with building trust and transparency. I would prioritize regular, structured check-ins with the superintendent and key administrators to align on priorities, understand challenges, and track progress. I believe in data-informed decision-making, so I’d advocate for sharing clear metrics on student outcomes, budgets, and initiatives with both the Board and the public. Just as importantly, I’d work to establish a culture of two-way feedback—listening to administrators’ expertise while ensuring that community voices and Board goals are reflected in planning. Finally, I would support cross-functional working groups that include administrators, teachers, parents, and students, so we collaborate holistically on issues like curriculum, technology adoption, and student wellness.
Parents want confidence that our schools are keeping pace with today’s world. As a Board member, I would advocate for a structured, transparent curriculum review cycle that ensures every subject is regularly evaluated against current research, evolving state standards, and best practices in teaching. I would support the integration of emerging technologies and future-ready skills—including AI literacy, coding, and digital ethics—while also reinforcing core academic foundations. To build trust, I’d push for clear communication of updates, including opportunities for parent input and teacher feedback before adoption. By combining data-driven evaluation with community transparency, we can assure families that Glen Rock’s curriculum prepares every student to succeed today and in the future.
Teachers are the foundation of our schools, and supporting them directly impacts student success. I would propose initiatives that focus on professional development—offering training in emerging areas like AI literacy, technology integration, and evidence-based teaching practices. I’d advocate for mentorship and peer collaboration programs so new teachers feel supported and experienced educators can share best practices. To improve retention, I’d push for regular feedback loops with teachers, ensuring their voices are heard in curriculum and policy decisions. I’d also explore workload balance and resource allocation, making sure teachers have the tools and time they need to focus on students. Finally, I’d champion recognition programs that celebrate teaching excellence and strengthen morale. Together, these efforts would help Glen Rock attract, support, and retain the very best educators.
If funding cuts occur, my priority would be to protect the classroom experience—keeping resources closest to students and teachers. I would start with a data-driven budget review to identify efficiencies, eliminate redundancies, and ensure every dollar supports learning outcomes. Essential programs like core academics, special education, and student wellness would remain protected. At the same time, I’d advocate for innovative partnerships—with local organizations, universities, and businesses—to bring in expertise and opportunities at low cost. Technology can also help us streamline operations and reduce overhead without impacting instruction. Finally, I’d ensure transparent communication with parents and staff about tradeoffs, so the community has trust that tough choices are made responsibly while keeping Glen Rock’s tradition of high-quality education intact.
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