Campaign Phone
(302) 344-7828
Neighborhood/area of residence
Phillip Heights
Are you currently a school board member? (Y/N)
No
How many school board meetings did you attend last year?
Watched all for the last year.
My path has been shaped by resilience, service, and a deep love for community. I began on a scholarship to Moore College of Art, then shifted to education studies at Delaware Tech and Wilmington University. When my newborn middle daughter needed me, I chose family first—but never stopped learning. I later pursued a degree in Organizational Leadership with a minor in Political Science, continuing studies at Harvard online and the Biden School. I’ve led a nonprofit, served on the Board of Adjustment, and as President of County Council, oversaw nearly $3 billion in budgets. As a mother of four Delaware public school graduates, I bring experience and proven leadership. I’m running to ensure every child is supported and every family has a voice.
The most pressing issue facing Brandywine School District is student achievement. As a mother of four Delaware public school graduates, I’ve seen the power of a great education—and the heartbreak when a child struggles without the right support. Too many students are falling short of grade-level expectations. I’ll work to strengthen early childhood education, expand personalized learning, and address learning loss with proven strategies like one-on-one tutoring and summer enrichment. I’ll also support teachers with better resources, smaller class sizes, and a voice in decision-making. Every child in every neighborhood deserves the opportunity to succeed, and I’m committed to making that a reality.
As a candidate for the Brandywine School Board, I believe curriculum decisions must balance educational integrity with community input. Students deserve a well-rounded education that promotes critical thinking and empathy. We should include diverse, age-appropriate materials that reflect our world and prepare students for the future. Clear, inclusive review policies—shaped by educators, parents, and community voices—ensure transparency and trust. While respecting parental choice, we must also protect access to learning for all students. Thoughtful collaboration allows us to honor values, support educators, and give every child the tools to thrive in a diverse society.
Equity means meeting every student where they are—and helping them get where they need to go. As a mother of four Delaware public school graduates, I know each child learns differently. I will advocate for tailored supports like multilingual services, inclusive classrooms, and resources for families, so no student is left behind. We must listen to teachers, empower schools with what they need, and ensure funding follows the needs of students—not the other way around. Every child, regardless of background or ability, deserves a learning environment that believes in them and helps them thrive.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
As a mother and grandmother, I know how much our children’s futures depend on strong, equitable school funding. Brandywine has worked hard to manage resources wisely, but Delaware’s school funding system—created more than 80 years ago—no longer meets the needs of today’s diverse students. It puts too much strain on local taxpayers and often leaves schools without enough support, especially for students who need it most. I support transitioning to a weighted funding system and giving teachers more flexibility to decide how to use funds in their classrooms. They know what works—and we should trust them to help every child succeed.
Student achievement is personal to me—as a mother of four Delaware public school graduates and a grandmother, I’ve seen both the pride and struggle firsthand. I’ll champion early literacy, strong family-school partnerships, and evidence-based strategies like those used in Laurel, where a UD partnership helped close a 20-point math gap. I’ll support teacher development, use data to guide—not punish—and advocate for targeted resources that meet students where they are. Every child has potential, and with the right support, we can close gaps, raise outcomes, and improve our state’s national standing—starting right here in Brandywine.
Campaign Phone
3022903499
Neighborhood/area of residence
Brandywine School Disctrict
Are you currently a school board member? (Y/N)
No
How many school board meetings did you attend last year?
0
I am the proud product of Delaware’s public education system and a prouder dad of two daughters enrolled in the Brandywine School District. I spent 27 months as Peace Corps Volunteer teaching English and in community development. I am also an attorney. My public school education and Peace Corps service have instilled in me the promise that diverse, inclusive communities are strong communities. As an attorney, I have the training and experience to identify emerging issues and develop comprehensive, informed solutions.
The single most important issue is the federal government’s shift from being the guarantor that every student is entitled to equal educational opportunities to a role that is cutting funding, trying to eliminate subjects through misguided attacks on DEIA, and the threat of federal law enforcement to stigmatize immigrant families. This will require the local board to preserve free and reduced cost school meals, carry the promise that a diverse and inclusive classroom is strong enough to recognize that our differences make us unique but do not divide us, and to ensure our students and families that the school house is a safe place where children are sent to learn without fear.
The board’s response should include input from the school librarian. The school librarian has the education, the training, the resources, and, most importantly, the day-to-day familiarity with the students and the materials in the school to know what books engage the students. The response should also include input from the teacher who can describe the topic or subject and how it pertains to the overall curriculum and the student’s education. Their input is critical for the board to make an informed decision.
There is a pending federal lawsuit that threatens the protection of 504s and IEP. If this lawsuit is successful it will not eliminate the need for accommodations and IEPs, but it will eliminate the federal government role in enforcing these measures. The board must develop a contingency Plan B that preserves the existing accommodations and benefits of a 504 or an IEP, but it should also invite educators to suggest improvements.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
School funding comes from a variety of sources and can come with a variety of restrictions on what it can be used for. As a result, it is difficult to say if funding is adequate. However, it was only through a recent court order that county property taxes, which form the basis for school taxes, were reassessed, decades after the last assessment. While the reassessment was long overdue, having property values determine school taxes is an ineffective and discriminatory way to fund education. Moreover, in Delaware, education is a constitutional right, yet its funding is subject to a vote.
Improvements will require the board (and other boards) to seek legislation from the General Assembly.
A critical component of boosting student achievement is attracting and retaining good teachers. The board should establish a committee with the Brandywine Educators Association to understand working conditions and ways to improve it. That said, achievement is not measured simply by test scores. The district’s high schools do a great job preparing students for higher education, but they need to provide a similar curriculum for students who are interested in the trades.
