I am running for office because District 6 deserves someone who cares about our kids, teachers, and the future of our public schools. I was originally inspired to run after hearing about the private school voucher program. I reached out to our current District 6 school board member to express my concerns that this voucher system would pull public money out of public schools. She never returned my calls or even replied to an email saying she received my message. I was incredibly upset that a person elected to represent our public schools in Knox County would advocate against their best interests. I decided then and there that I would ensure District 6 had a strong advocate for public schools by stepping up to run for the School Board.
I was born and raised in Hardin Valley and attended school at Karns and Hardin Valley. I have a unique perspective to bring to the table as a former student of District 6 schools.
I am also the daughter of a counselor. I was raised with the tools of navigating conflict management my entire life. I am very skilled at building bridges, mending relationships, and reaching meaningful compromises.
As a former theatre educator, I’ve worked with children of all ages. My work in the theatre has also primed me to solve problems creatively on a shoestring budget. The theatre is often underfunded, just like our public schools, but we are expected to make magic happen, and we always manage to find a way to do just that.
I believe the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office are to govern transparently, responsibly, and in the best interests of our public schools and community.
Transparency: people deserve to know how decisions that impact them are being made and where their money is going within Knox County Schools. I intend to hold systems, elected officials, and myself accountable to our commitments.
It is vital to govern responsibly. My actions have consequences that impact the entire county, not just District 6.
I am not running for personal gain, but to be of service to the community and an advocate for every child, teacher, and public school. It will be my responsibility to listen, advocate, and serve our community.
I am an excellent listener and communicator. I understand that true connection and effective communication are essential to find solutions. If we listen to one another with curiosity and the intent to understand, we can create better schools together!
Having experienced our schools through the eyes of a child and a teacher’s helper, I understand what our teachers and students really need, and I have no qualms about speaking up on their behalf. Our teachers need coverage so they don’t have to hold their bladders for eight hours. Our students need developmentally appropriate schoolwork. Our school buildings need renovations so that our kids and teachers are safe in our schools. We have real problems, and I will not turn a blind eye to them.
My top three priorities are to keep public funds in public schools by saying NO to the voucher expansion. With proper funding and budgeting, we can support our educators by promoting a better work environment, ensuring a good work/life balance, and providing school supplies. Finally, we can and should prioritize our children’s well-being by providing more mental health services, focusing on developmentally appropriate curriculum, and disincentivizing overly stressful assessments. We cannot expect our students to thrive if they do not feel safe physically, mentally, or emotionally in our schools.
To put it more simply: 1) Protect Public School Funding. 2) Support Our Educators. 3) Promote Overall Wellness for Our Kids.
I am just like you. I'm a mom who got fed up with the way our public schools are being defunded, the way parents' and teachers’ concerns keep getting brushed off, and how our kids are continuously being let down as a result.
I am here to represent you, regardless of what you believe politically. When a firefighter gets a call to put out a fire, they don’t first ask who you voted for; they just help. When I receive a call from a teacher, a parent, or a community member, I won’t ask either; I will just help.
Everyone deserves representation that cares about them. When I say I care, I mean it. I turn that care into action. I use my unique skill set to find creative solutions to difficult problems to create meaningful change in Knox County.
I am a Hardin Valley resident since 2003 and spouse to a 28 year veteran teacher and administrator. I've heard for 24 years, daily, about what is working in the district, what's broken, and what impact programs and her teachers can make in students lives. The experience I've gained in my career positions me to help do more at a leaderhsip level.
I've been involved with my children through their school career, starting when my oldest daughter entered the classroom at HV Elementary, serving as chaperone, volunteer, fundraiser, and more. I've enjoyed watching them enjoy schools and want to see that for others in my district.
We need great, passionate leaders with experience to run the 3rd largest school system in Tennessee and I have that
I lead the effort 13 years ago to bring a new middle school to Hardin Valley. A 3-year succesful campaign using good data, professional presentation and partnership with the KCS and County Commission
I have been the President of the Hardin Valley Academy Foundation since 2018
I have been a board member of the Karns Fire Department Board for 4 years
I've also served as:
"Principal for a Day" program participant at both Hardin Valley Elementary School and Karns Pre-School
- A current member of the Region 1 and 2 Teacher/Parent Council
- Financial education teacher at several high schools and elementary schools and at JA BizTown, serving Knox county elementaries.
- A mentor for 4 years in the Tennessee Promise scholarship program
Make decisions on the employment of our superintendent and complete annual performance reviews
Approve and manage the $700 million annual budget, serving as a good steward of the public's tax dollars
Set sensible school board policy to address the strategic priorities of the KCS and increase performance in core skills and graduation rates.
I am a leader, as detailed above, and have lived with a service mentality not only in education but in my community
I have been a strategic planner for a major regional bank for over 23 years
I am a listener and learner and enjoy communitcating with people, gathering their input and letting them know their voices are heard.
More career and technical education amongst our middle school population
Address the poverty level wages for 469 special ed teacher assistants who do some of the hardest, nobleist work within our schools who are recognized by principals as a vital piece to the success of our special ed programs.
Address the parent responsibility zone and the undue pressure that puts on parents and the unsafe envionrment it puts our students in
I am a highly qualified candidate due to my years of experience and am passionate about helping our students become the best they can be, in the classroom and beyond.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
