Campaign Phone
407-319-2068
Education
Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
Professional Experience
Founder of Speak4MC. National speaker, trainer, author, and consultant. More than 15 years of experience serving at-risk youth and families through workforce development, child welfare, juvenile justice, and community-based programs. Former youth care worker, case manager, and program manager.
Public Service
Vice Chair, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Circuit 6 Advisory Board. Florida representative to the Southeastern Employment and Training Association (SETA). Pinellas County Schools mentor. Volunteer speaker and trainer for community organizations. Advocate for youth, families, foster care & workforce development.
Public, charter, and private schools all serve students, but they operate under different rules and responsibilities, making direct comparisons difficult. My role as a School Board member is not to criticize families for the choices they make, but to ensure Pinellas County Schools remains a system families want to choose.
Strong public schools benefit everyone. They support local economies, attract families, strengthen communities, and prepare the future workforce.
This issue is personal to me. My children attend public schools, and my mother is a public school teacher. I will be an unapologetic advocate for a strong and well-funded public school system.
Voucher programs should have reasonable income limits and include transparency.
My top three priorities are teacher support, enrollment, and community partnerships.
First, I will advocate for competitive teacher pay, support referendums that fund compensation, and reduce unnecessary burdens so teachers can focus on teaching. Just as importantly, I will listen to educators and ensure their voices are part of the conversation.
Second, I will address declining enrollment by rebuilding trust in public education, expanding outreach, and evaluating school models that better meet families' needs.
Third, I will strengthen partnerships between schools, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations to expand opportunities and connect families with resources beyond what schools can provide alone.
Teacher and staff shortages will not be solved by recruitment alone. We must focus on both recruitment and retention.
My approach is simple: hear them, empower them, and pay them.
We must continue advocating for competitive compensation through state funding, local referendums, and responsible budgeting. We also need to ensure educators and staff feel heard, respected, and supported. Too often, teachers are expected to be instructors, administrators, and behavioral specialists all at once.
Retention improves when employees feel valued and have the tools to succeed. Recruitment improves when current employees tell others that Pinellas County Schools is a great place to work. That should be our goal.
I believe most of these issues should be approached the same way: listen, gather facts, hear different perspectives, and make decisions that serve the broader educational mission of our schools.
For example, our current book challenge process allows parents to make choices for their own children while ensuring one household does not make decisions for every other family. I generally support that approach.
Many of these debates are rooted in distrust, misunderstanding, or a lack of communication. I am not afraid to have difficult conversations or hear viewpoints different from my own. However, I will not be drawn into ideological battles that distract from our primary responsibility: educating students and preparing them for success.
Students have opportunities to express their views through classroom discussions and student-led clubs. Schools should help students learn how to engage respectfully with people who hold different perspectives. Empathy and interpersonal communication skills are essential when discussing social and political issues.
I believe discipline should be based on behavior, not viewpoints. Students should not be disciplined for expressing an opinion. However, if expression becomes disruptive, harassing, or interferes with others' right to learn, appropriate consequences may be necessary.
My goal is to create schools where students feel comfortable sharing their perspectives while maintaining a safe and productive learning environment.
As the father of two Pinellas County Schools students, the son of a public school teacher, and a lifelong Pinellas County resident, I bring both personal and professional experience to this role. For more than 15 years, I have worked with youth and families, led state-funded programs, and built community partnerships that help young people succeed.
I am not a politician. I am a dad who is deeply invested in the future of our schools.
In short, I am the only candidate in this race with two children who will attend our schools for the next 15 years and more than 15 years of experience serving youth and families. That combination provides a perspective grounded in both professional experience and personal investment in Pinellas County.
Campaign Phone
727-437-2691
Education
St Petersburg College - Associate of Arts; University of South Florida - Bachelor of Arts in English Literature
Professional Experience
Teacher in Pinellas County since 2002
Comparing charter and public schools use state standardized testing which can be compared, but it is a mixed result as each groups has schools that perform at different levels on the tests. Private schools don't use the same assessments and can't be compared in that regard. Charters and private schools are able to provide smaller class size, but do not have a the range of extracurricular offerings. To ensure adequate funding public schools need to develop parent involvement to retain students and families. Also, public schools should lower the stress of testing driven curriculum and incorporate lessons that are fun and excite students. More students will increase funding.
1) Lessen time on devices and screens. Students need to work with books, paper and pencil to develop skills and brain development. It's time to put devices back into the hands of teachers to use as needed.
2) Retain quality teachers. Teachers are able to teach without scripted lesson plans being given to them. Give teachers the opportunity to create interesting lessons and more deeply engage students. Also, reevaluate the current method of evaluating teachers.
3) Expand real world opportunities for students to graduate with the ability to earn a living that will support them and their family. Pinellas can grow their trades programs in schools and expand the offerings given at PTEC across the county.
The recruitment and retention of staff members is multi-pronged. Many staff members cannot afford to live in Pinellas County, they commute long distances or find jobs in other counties. Pinellas can work to develop community partners to provide affordable housing for staff members.
Eliminating highly scripted lesson plans will allow teachers the freedom to create engaging lesson plans.
Student behavior has become an issue for many teachers in the classroom. County-wide policies must be developed and supported to create a healthy learning environment in the classroom.
Parental involvement is an important part of a student's education. Family requests for students to be excused from reading or studying certain materials has always been respected. Books and lessons should not be removed at the request of a few as it affects everyone. I do not support unmitigated book banning. Upon request to not have their child participate in a particular lesson or book, that student should be provided an alternative to the lesson/book.
Many schools have newspapers they can utilize to express their ideas and opinions regarding social or school issues. Some students opt to present their issues at school board meetings. Students do have first amendment rights providing they are peaceful, not demeaning to others and don't cause a disruption to the school.
My professional experience in the classroom has given me insight to issues that others do not possess. I don't merely listen to or read stories regarding educational experiences, I have been living them since 2002. I also have had the experience of being a representative for the Pinellas Classroom Teacher's Association for over 18 years. This has given me an inside view of problems that others do not have the opportunity to observe.
Pinellas County schools have one outcome, to provide for the community a student who can step into the world as a responsible, contributing member of society.
Campaign Phone
7274100646
Education
AA Degree in Geography. Certification as a preschool substitute. Personal Training Certification. Sports Nutritionist certification.
Professional Experience
Beginning in 2009, I served as a preschool substitute, I held PTA roles up to president. Certified Mentor. Employed at Thurgood Marshall FMS as Volunteer/Mentor Coordinator.
Public Service
Elected to the Pinellas County School Board in 2022
Charter, private, and public schools in Pinellas County show varied results; performance depends more on individual schools than on school type. Public schools serve all students, including those with the greatest needs, while private schools receiving vouchers are not required by FLDOE to meet the same accountability, admissions, or reporting standards. To keep public schools viable, we must ensure stable, predictable funding, protect resources tied to student needs, and require transparency for any school using public dollars. Strong public schools depend on sustained investment
-Continue to support students in the current trajectory of achieving increased academic growth.
-Maintain stability in our district during a time of political and financial uncertainty at the state and federal levels.
-Increase teacher and staff pay and support, not only through our district budget but also through advocacy at the state level.
There is currently no teacher shortage in Pinellas County; however, the district is focused on increasing teacher and staff pay to remain competitive and retain high-quality educators. To support this goal, administrative departments are being streamlined to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Schools are also being evaluated for potential consolidation, with an emphasis on cost-effective K–8 models where appropriate. Community meetings this summer are gathering stakeholder input before decisions are made, ensuring transparency. These efforts aim to expand access, maximize resources, and prioritize directing funds tow
Pinellas County Schools selects and implements curriculum in alignment with Florida State Standards and Statute 1003.42, covering required topics such as U.S. history, civics, and health. The district uses CPALMS to guide standards-based instruction. Curriculum adoption follows PCS Policy 2510, with annual updates in one major subject and opportunities for public input. Policy 2520 ensures transparency by allowing parents to review course materials. Implementation is supported by the Teaching and Learning Services division, which provides resources, training, and approved field trips updated annually. This process has been in place for several years and continues to work well.
Pinellas County Schools supports student voice through a student government council known as Student Rights and Responsibilities. This council serves as a vital link between students and district leadership. Members meet monthly with the School Board, Superintendent, and key administrators to ensure consistent communication. These meetings provide students with the opportunity to share perspectives, contribute ideas, and collaborate on the development and implementation of initiatives and programs that positively impact schools across the district. The district also supports student-led clubs at all Middle and High Schools
I bring a unique perspective as both a former parent, employee, and current Board Member, with deep engagement in Pinellas County Schools since 2009. My experience, strong relationships, and commitment to public education allow me to continue leadership with insight and confidence. I am prepared to strengthen partnerships, advocate effectively, and make thoughtful decisions, especially in a time of uncertainty. I want to serve all stakeholders for one final term.
