I am running for the Kansas State Board of Education to put student achievement first. With experience as a local school board member, I understand the importance of strong academics, parental involvement, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. I believe education decisions should prioritize classrooms, respect parents, and remain accountable to Kansas families not bureaucracies.

I also serve as the Kansas chairman for National School Board Coalition which trains, advocates for, and mentors school board members across the state.

I have attended numerous trainings on budgeting, policy, student achievement, student safety, curriculum, federal and state law, to name a few. I am also active in providing testimony at the legislature

I feel the top three issues are a literacy crisis, decreasing student achievement, and the need for proper accreditation. I believe there needs to be board members who will stand strong and make decisions based on students and not keep doing the same thing hoping for different results. Over 150,000 Kansas students have limited ability to read nearing illiteracy. The state board needs to ensure districts are complying with state law. The state board needs to increase standards. I do not agree with the lowering of standards which occurred last year. As a board member I will work with the legislature and local boards to ensure statutes are followed and the focus remains on increasing student achievement.

I believe budgets and focus needs to be maintained from the classroom out. This is not the case currently. We need evidence based curriculum that is proven to help our students achieve. The state board needs to ensure the building needs assessment is appropriately used to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently and to meet these goals. We have the system in place, but currently they are not being followed. We also need stricter guideline on accreditation. Our Kansas students are too important to not take bold action.

The education task force in the legislature is responsible for funding. I am happy to work as a liaison. Funding, however, has way outpaced inflation despite declining enrollment. The state board can recommend ways to more efficiently use those tax dollars at a local level.

I am a career educator with 28 years dedicated to serving the students and families of Kansas. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of teaching special education, working as a classroom teacher, and now serving as a school librarian where I teach library classes and provide Tier 3 reading intervention for students in grades K–4. I hold a Master’s degree in Library Science, and I believe every child deserves access to a high-quality education that helps them reach their full potential. Education is the most important investment we can make in the future of Kansas. Our students deserve strong public schools, dedicated educators, and the resources needed to help every child succeed.

Kansas schools face many challenges, but three issues stand above the rest: protecting local control, fully funding special education, and maintaining high academic standards. Strong public schools begin with local decision-making. The people closest to our students and communities are best equipped to make decisions that meet their unique needs. Kansas must also fulfill its legal obligation to fully fund special education so school districts are not forced to divert general education dollars to cover those costs. Finally, we must maintain high academic standards and ensure every student has access to a quality education that prepares them for success in college, careers, and life.

The most important factor in student success is a strong teacher-student relationship. Students learn best when they feel seen, valued, supported, and respected by the adults in their school. Those positive relationships create a classroom environment where students are motivated to participate, take academic risks, and stay engaged in learning. As an educator, I have seen firsthand that while curriculum and resources are important, nothing has a greater impact on student achievement than a caring, knowledgeable educator who builds trusting relationships with students every day.

While the State Board of Education does not have the authority to appropriate funding, it has a critical responsibility to be a strong advocate for Kansas students. Boards members should work collaboratively with the Legislature, using date-driven evidence to demonstrate how adequate and equitable funding directly impacts student achievement, literacy, special education services, teacher retention, and overall student success. By presenting clear facts and measurable outcomes, the Board can help lawmakers make informed decisions that strengthen public education and ensure every Kansas student has the opportunity to succeed.