VOTE411 Voter Guide

I am serving my fifth year as a trustee on the Northville School Board and have served as Vice President, Treasurer, and currently Secretary. As an educational leader, curriculum and evaluation expert, and advanced practice nurse with a background in school health, I bring experience and perspective to the board's work. Establishing a vision and strategic plan is important, but effective governance requires implementation, accountability, and continuous monitoring of results. In this era of rapid change, school boards need trustees with relevant expertise, strong governance skills, and a commitment to ensuring that students, educators, and the community thrive.

The priority issues facing Northville Public Schools are to: 1. Nourish a school culture that respects and supports the professional development and practice of teachers and staff 2. Link academic excellence with balanced social emotional health in preparing students for their futures 3. Creatively anticipate and prepare for fluctuations in enrollment that impact fiscal stability of the school district 4. Anticipate the demands of safe, ethical, and effective use of AI 5. Identify early and responsively meet the educational needs of students with complex learning needs

With a distinguished 26-year career in the U.S. Army, I bring extensive leadership experience to my current role as a 14-year veteran high school computer networking and computer education teacher. I am an active member of VFW Post 4012, American Legion, Redford Union Education Association (RUEA), and the Michigan Education Association (MEA). As a professional educator, parent, and dedicated community member,

I am committed to ensuring our district continues to provide a world-class education that prepares every student for the realities of the 21st-century workforce. I believe that schools must be more than buildings; they must be launchpads for careers, hubs for innovation, and safe harbors for every type of learner.

1. Career & College Readiness via CTE I advocate expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) to provide students with industry-recognized credentials. By strengthening CTE programs, we ensure our graduates are not merely "college-ready," but equipped to succeed in high-demand careers on day one.

2. Inclusive & Neurodiversity-Affirming Environments I am committed to implementing neurodiversity-affirming practices and flexible, inclusive instruction that respects different learning styles while maintaining high academic standards.

3. Transparency & Parent-Teacher Partnership I believe in a curriculum that is instructionally rigorous and culturally sensitive, and I will ensure parents are active partners in their children's education.

I have proudly served Northville Public Schools as a member of the Board of Education since 2022. Holding the roles of Secretary, Treasurer, and currently Vice President. I've been an active parent within the district since moving to Northville in 2010 holding positions on PTA boards in both elementary and middle school levels, coaching Elementary Science Olympiad teams, and as an Adult Committee member of our Scouts BSA troop. I worked as a Lunch and Recess Monitor at Moraine Elementary until joining the School Board in 2022. Since 2023 I have been employed at Living & Learning Enrichment Services as a Vocation Job Coach, working with adults with disabilities as they learn job skills.

A key issue facing all public education is funding, both from the State and Federal levels. As money from the State and Federal level continues to be diverted from public education into private schools it becomes more challenging to offer the programs necessary to support all students as they enter our schools. To meet each student where they are as they arrive in our buildings and to provide the upkeep required to maintain our facilities. I would continue to advocate at the State and National levels for public education and press our elected officials in Lansing to provide the funding required to maintain our expected levels of excellence. It's also important to keep our focus on our school budget to use our resources wisely.