Submitted Biography
Over the years, I’ve had a diverse experience in education — working as a substitute teacher in rural public schools, serving on the board of an alternative private high school, tutoring homeschooled 4th-6th graders in math, grammar, and writing in a classical program, advocating for charter schools, and homeschooling my own two children. School choice and educational options are built into the fiber of my life, and I’m convinced that families should have more doors opened to them, not less. I'm a constitutional attorney and a lifelong conservative. I'm admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, and I focus on 1st and 14th Amendment issues. I'm also a wife and mom of two wonderful kiddos and the Executive Vice President of Advance Colorado.
Campaign Phone
720-468-0976
My top priorities are Accountability, Opportunity, and Empowerment. Accountability includes voting for real, academic standards in kids' classrooms and rejecting liberal political agendas. Opportunity means that I will vote on the side of school choice. I'm pro charter, pro private, and pro home school. At the same time, I believe that our neighborhood public schools should be excellent and full of real opportunity for our children. Empowerment is about parents. Parents' rights are key, and I will work for greater transparency in curriculum and book lists, and provide a way for parents to express their voice to the Board of Education. I'll also work with local school boards since one size doesn't fit all in education and local people know better what's good for their families than the state government.
I'm deeply passionate about education. Our children are a gift, and reforming our education system will result in greater levels of security and success for our children. As a parent of school age children, I also believe that too many parents are being shut out by the government, and as a constitutional attorney, I can equip and empower them to exercise their rights.
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Submitted Biography
As an early childhood teacher and attorney, I have dedicated my career to advocating for children. Growing up in rural Missouri, I developed a deep appreciation for the value of education, service, and community. In our small town, my mother was a teacher, my father served on the local school board, and the public school was the heart of our community. For over 20 years, my husband and I have lived in Parker, CO, where he has worked as a healthcare provider and small business owner. Our children attended local public schools, benefiting from excellent academic opportunities. It was an honor to give back by serving on the Douglas County School Board and the Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning Board. I look forward to advocating for all students as the State Board member for Congressional District 4.
Campaign Phone
3038058862
As a State Board member, responsible for the general oversight of Colorado public schools (neighborhood, magnet, charter or online) that nearly 95% of Colorado students attend, I will prioritize initiatives that fundamentally improve the academic success of all students: safe and welcoming schools, outstanding teachers, and diverse learning options. Partnering with families and community members will be at the forefront of my efforts to ensure students are given academic opportunities to reach their highest potential and successfully pursue their own path post-graduation. While I support the choice of families to pursue homeschool or private school options, these alternatives are not available to all students, and the State Board of Education and local boards do not have jurisdiction over non-public schools in Colorado.
I’m dedicated to continuing to advocate for the best interests of all students. And giving back to the public schools that partnered with my husband and I to help our two children reach their full potential is important to me. All students, regardless of where they live, deserve access to high quality academic opportunities. Please join me in advocating for the resources and policies needed to give each and every child the opportunity to thrive.
The mission of the State Board of Education is to provide all of Colorado’s children with equal access to high-quality education. Whether enacting policies, collaborating with legislators, or distributing federal and state funds to local schools, the State Board must work to improve enrollment access and mitigate chronic absenteeism. Specifically, when approving the Colorado Department of Education budget, the Board can continue funding initiatives such as the Office of Dropout Prevention and Student Re-Engagement and the EARSS (Expelled and At-Risk Student Services) early intervention program to assist schools in developing and implementing student support plans.
The social studies standards need to reflect the contributions and experiences of all people. Additionally, the goals we set for learning, must be developmentally, or age-appropriate, for each child. By accurately portraying the diversity that exists in the world, whether based on racial, ethnic, gender, religious, sexual orientation, or other diversity, our students develop skills to relate to and recognize the humanity of others. Additionally, students who see themselves, their classmates or their family members in instruction are more likely to be engaged in their learning, and feel safe and welcome in the learning environment, leading to increased student academic success.
Obviously access to books is critical to student academic success. In my experience as a parent and former local public school board member, sufficient processes and policies exist within our public schools to reach the goals we all share: providing students access to books that support academic growth and achievement at a developmentally, or age-appropriate, level for each student. Following well-established policies and processes to thoughtfully consider book access is critical. Unfortunately, within the past several years classics such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn have been banned in some U.S. schools depriving all students of access to their educational value.
As a student growing up in rural Missouri, I went hunting with my family and participated in gun safety classes at school. Encouraging a culture of responsible gun ownership and reducing gun violence are both very important to me. I agree with most Americans that common sense gun safety laws must be enforced and strengthened to prevent tragedy at our schools. Understanding that many school shootings are committed by students under 18 who acquire the gun from their own or another home, universal safe storage requirements are necessary. Universal background checks and restrictions on military assault weapons are also widely supported by most Americans and would reduce gun violence. It’s also critical that we support school cultures where students feel like they belong, feel safe asking for help or reporting concerning behavior.