Education
Bachelor of Arts from The University of Florida, Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law, PhD Candidate
Professional Experience
Attorney licensed in Florida, Staff Counsel and Communications Director for the School Board Leaders Program
Public Service
City of Tampa Citizens Advisory Budget and Finance Committee, Junior League of Tampa, Downtown River Arts Neighborhood Executive Board
Campaign Phone
(352)598-8152
I am an attorney with a background in education policy and school board governance. I am also pursuing a Ph.D. in education policy and have experience in public finance. As a mother of three, a lifelong Floridian, and an active community leader, I understand families' concerns and will bring sound judgment, accountability, and a student-first focus to the board.
I will work with our state legislative delegation to advocate for funding that reflects Hillsborough County’s growth and student needs. I will also support responsible budgeting, pursue available grants and partnerships, and ensure more dollars reach classrooms, teachers, school safety, and student services. Strong advocacy must be paired with transparency and accountability so taxpayers can see that every dollar is used effectively.
I would use a classroom-first budgeting approach, prioritizing teachers, academic support, school safety, transportation, and urgent facility repairs. If funding remains limited, I would reduce duplicative administrative positions, outside consulting contracts, and programs that are not producing measurable results before cutting classroom services. Every expense should be reviewed for effectiveness, transparency, and direct benefit to students.
I would recruit and retain high-quality teachers and staff through competitive pay, fewer administrative burdens, and clear opportunities for professional growth. To ensure teachers feel supported, I would strengthen and enforce consistent discipline policies, provide timely classroom support, improve communication with school leaders, and recognize strong performance. I would also expand partnerships with colleges and alternative certification programs to build a stronger local pipeline.
I would support strong school safety protocols, trained school resource officers, secure campuses, threat-assessment teams, and clear discipline policies. I would expand access to counselors and early mental health intervention while strengthening partnerships with families and community providers. For students with special needs, I would prioritize timely evaluations, individualized services, trained staff, and full compliance with each student’s education plan.
I will support clear public agendas, accessible budget and performance data, and timely communication before major decisions are made. I will seek input through community meetings, parent and teacher advisory groups, surveys, and direct outreach across the district. Public comments should be taken seriously, questions answered openly, and board members held accountable for explaining their votes and decisions.
Education
Daniela earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Delaware and a Master of Science in Education in Educational Policy and Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.
Professional Experience
Daniela has more than 25 years of experience in education as a teacher and leader. She served as Assistant Superintendent in Hillsborough County, held leadership roles in Miami-Dade, Duval, the FLDOE, and now works in educational technology.
Public Service
Daniela serves as Vice President of Advocacy for the Hillsborough County Council PTA and President of the MacFarlane Park Elementary PTA, advocating for students, supporting families, and strengthening schools across Hillsborough County.
Campaign Phone
(813)220-6505
I bring more than 25 years of experience as a teacher, district leader, state education leader, and PTA advocate. I served as Assistant Superintendent in Hillsborough County and have worked at every level of education, from the classroom to state government. As a parent of a child in Hillsborough County Public Schools, I understand the challenges families face. I am also the only candidate endorsed by Hillsborough's teachers.
As a School Board member, I would work with our legislative delegation to advocate for funding that reflects Hillsborough’s needs, including class sizes, staffing, and student services. I would support clear reporting so the community understands how funds are used and where gaps exist. Locally, I would collaborate with staff and partners to ensure funding decisions prioritize student outcomes, safety, and staffing.
My priorities are classroom instruction, student safety, teacher retention, and essential services. If funding is limited, I would review spending to identify redundancies and reduce costs that do not directly impact student learning. I would protect core classroom resources and ensure budget decisions are transparent, data-informed, and focused on student needs.
I believe retention is our greatest opportunity. Teachers consistently tell us they need more time, support, and respect. I would protect planning time, review workload expectations, reduce unnecessary testing and paperwork, and ensure teachers have a voice in decision-making. I also support strengthening leadership pipelines and creating flexible work options on non-student days where appropriate. When educators feel valued and supported, they stay.
Student safety includes both physical security and emotional well-being. I support continued investments in school security, emergency preparedness, counselors, social workers, and early intervention services. As the parent of a child with a 504 plan, I understand the importance of ensuring students receive the supports they need. I will advocate for strong core instruction, fidelity to IEPs and 504 plans, and access to mental health services for students and families.
Families deserve to be informed before decisions are made, not after. I will support public dashboards, community meetings, listening sessions, and clear communication about major issues such as boundaries, school closures, and budget decisions. As a PTA leader, I have spent years bringing families, educators, and community members together around difficult issues. Trust is built through transparency, responsiveness, and meaningful opportunities for input.
Education
B.A Vanderbilt University - Political Science, Psychology, Doctoral Candidate USF Muma College of Business - Information Systems and Management
Professional Experience
Exec VP – NASDAQ Public Company Part of executive team that brought it public. Principal – CT Equity Group, Board Member, Lindell Investments, Inc. Principal – SouthCrest Development, Inc, School Community Specialist, Classroom Teacher
Public Service
Chairman William Gregory Foundation, Vice-chair USF College of Education Dean’s Executive Advisory Board, past Chair Hillsborough Education Foundation, past Chair Hillsborough College Foundation, Gus A. Stavros Center Advisory Board
Campaign Phone
(813)467-6999
I bring experience from the classroom to the boardroom: more than a decade as a teacher and coach, six years in school leadership, and extensive governance, finance, and fiduciary experience. I have chaired major education nonprofits, served on education advisory boards, led organizations through complex decisions, and understand that every Board decision eventually reaches a classroom.
I will advocate for adequate public education funding by continuing the work I did during the 2024 referendum campaign, when I spoke throughout the community about the need to invest in the people who serve our students. I will make the case that strong schools are essential to our workforce, economy, and future, while also demanding responsible stewardship so taxpayers can see how investments improve classrooms, retain great teachers, and strengthen student outcomes.
I would use a Classroom First test: every major budget decision should ask how it affects students and teachers in the classroom. I would prioritize teacher retention, early literacy, student safety, and basic infrastructure. If funding remains limited, I would scrutinize programs, contracts, and administrative spending that do not clearly improve student outcomes, while protecting classrooms and essential services first.
I would focus first on retaining the outstanding teachers and staff we already have. Competitive pay matters, but so do manageable workloads, professional trust, meaningful support, and a real voice in classroom decisions. I would strengthen mentoring for new teachers and regularly review exit data and employee feedback, then hold the district accountable for addressing why strong people leave.
I support a layered approach: strong campus security and emergency preparedness, trusted relationships between students and caring adults, and early intervention before problems become crises. I would protect access to school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and evidence-based mental-health supports. For students with special needs, I would prioritize timely evaluations, strong IEP services, family partnership, and the staffing and training needed to serve every child with dignity.
I would make transparency a habit, not simply a promise. Board materials should be clear and available early enough for families and employees to review them. Meetings should be accessible in person and online, with meaningful public comment. I would also support regular community listening sessions and clear follow-up explaining what the Board decided, why it decided it, and how that decision will affect classrooms.
