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Slogan
Helping Students Thrive
I am seeking reelection to the Board of Education because important work remains. I am eager to see the 2024 referendum projects through to completion and ensure they meet the needs of our students and community. These projects improve our facilities and enrich the programs shaping students’ daily lives. As a kindergarten teacher since 2005, I bring a practical perspective on what students and educators need. I have developed curriculum, mentored teachers, and was honored as Collingswood Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2015. I care deeply about helping every student feel supported and ready for success and remain committed to working with the board, administrators, teachers, and families to ensure Haddon Township schools thrive.
One of my goals as an incumbent is to help students improve their ability to focus. In today’s world, distractions compete for their attention, so it’s essential to equip students with the skills to stay engaged, manage interruptions, and build habits that make the most of their classroom learning. Strengthening focus helps guide their education and prepares them for future careers and life. My second goal is to ensure all students feel safe, supported, and secure. The board has provided resources, including app-based programs like Clayful, so students can reach out for help and feel emotionally safe. When students feel secure, they thrive academically, emotionally, and personally, ready to face the future with confidence.
As a teacher, I understand the importance of testing to assess student progress. However, tests alone cannot capture the full picture of learning. A more meaningful measure is monitoring each student’s growth over time, comparing them to their own achievements rather than a standard benchmark. Every student is unique, and growth should reflect their individual journey. Adaptive assessments adjust as students take them, becoming harder with correct answers and easier if they struggle, helping educators identify where support is needed. As a board member, I will advocate for these approaches, focusing on individual growth, tailoring instruction, and giving students the tools to thrive academically and continue growing throughout life.
As I mentioned, one reason I am seeking reelection to the Board of Education is to see the 2024 referendum projects through to completion. One key priority has been enhancing the safety and security of our schools. We have made significant improvements, including safer entry points with vestibules to prevent unauthorized access and ensure everyone entering is screened. We have also updated security systems, cameras, and protocols while maintaining a welcoming learning environment. Another aspect of safety is helping students feel secure in every part of school, whether in the classroom, on the field, or on stage. When students feel protected and supported, they can focus, take risks, and fully participate in learning.
Slogan
Helping Students Thrive
I am deeply committed to Haddon Township schools as both a district parent and a resident. Over the years, I have been actively involved in our PTAs, volunteered in the schools, and participated in state-level advocacy to ensure fair funding for all districts. During my time on the board, I’ve worked to represent our diverse community by asking thoughtful questions and bringing forward alternative perspectives. I am seeking reelection to continue advocating for the success and well-being of all our students.
I want to ensure all projects in the recently passed bond referendum are completed successfully, on time, and on budget to meet the needs of students and staff.
I would like to see the district implement a school climate survey to better understand how students, families, and staff experience our schools, and to use that data in developing a long-term strategic plan.
Finally, we must address inconsistent state funding through continued advocacy and community engagement to balance educational excellence with fiscal responsibility. We are fortunate to have a passionate and involved community, and I believe that by working together, we can protect what makes our schools strong while planning for long-term stability.
I believe state tests do not tell the whole story about a student or district. They capture a student's performance on one particular day and don't always reflect true ability, especially for those who struggle with timed tests. Our district uses multiple measures to track student progress over time. I believe it's important to use research-based curricula in reading and math, while reducing over-reliance on technology, which can be distracting and is not always the most effective tool for learning. (Research shows that handwriting, for example, supports memory and comprehension better than typing.) Most importantly, our focus should be on educating the whole child -- fostering critical thinking, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.
The district has made several improvements to security over the last few years -- keeping classroom doors locked at all times, adding a new visitor screening system at the middle and high schools, installing new cameras, and building a high school security vestibule funded by the bond referendum. Still, true safety requires more than security measures. We must also invest in prevention through mental health resources, education, and community awareness. I support adding Safe Storage education to prevent gun violence and the Know the Signs program from Sandy Hook Promise, which offers free training and an anonymous reporting system already credited with stopping at least 19 school attacks.
