Campaign Phone
3027451688
Neighborhood/area of residence
Dover
Are you currently a school board member? (Y/N)
N
How many school board meetings did you attend last year?
Attend virtually, in-person, or asynchronously for most meetings
As a proud Capital graduate, I want to give back and serve the district that gave me my foundation for success. My 28-year career, from math teacher to education policy leader, gives me unique insights into effective school governance. Having served in education leadership at the school, district, state, and national level, and now as VP at an education non-profit, I understand education from policy to implementation to impact. I have managed statewide projects, national initiatives, grants, and their budgets. My strengths include state and federal policy knowledge, the ability to convene and engage stakeholders, and a commitment to educational equity. I am well prepared to help CSD make strategic decisions improving education for all.
The most important issue in our district is to improve student learning.
With ELA proficiency at 26%, Math at 16%, and Chronic Absenteeism at 30%, this calls for urgent action.
However, there is not a simple solution.
It will require:
- Investing in resources that unlock every student's potential, especially after recent federal cutbacks
- Attracting and retaining top-notch educators - Becoming a destination district for teachers, which brings greater learning opportunities to students
- Creating learning environments where teachers can teach and students can thrive;
- Strengthening family and community partnerships to bring opportunities and experiences that keep students engaged in school and better prepares them for success.
Education should reflect the full tapestry of our shared history. When students learn about the contributions, challenges, and achievements of all Americans, they become more engaged, critically thinking students who appreciate the diverse fabric of our society.
I will make sure that all curriculum selections are:
• Age-appropriate and developmentally suitable
• Academically rigorous, evidence-based, and aligned to state standards
• Balanced to present multiple viewpoints
• Include sufficient professional development and support for implementation
I look forward to continued dialogue with parents, educators, and community members about how we can best serve all students in our district through curricular decisions brought before the Board
Needs-based budgeting directs resources where data shows they're most needed. This requires a thorough resource allocation review to ensure funding aligns with our highest-need populations.
I'll push for transparent financial decisions with community input, regularly evaluate program effectiveness, and ensure qualified staff are distributed equitably across schools. Additionally, I support evidence-based interventions tailored to specific student populations.
By combining equitable funding with accountability and transparency, we can create an educational environment where all students receive the resources and support they need to achieve academically.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Delaware's current resource-based funding formula is antiquated and has not been changed since the 40’s. It fails to adequately account for the diverse needs of today's student population. This system simply doesn't reflect the educational realities we face today.
I strongly advocate for comprehensive statewide funding formula reform that transitions from this outdated model to a per-pupil weighted student funding approach. A per-pupil weighted formula would allocate resources based on the specific needs of each student, providing additional funding for students with disabilities, English language learners, those from low-income households, and other high-need populations.
Strategic investments in evidence-based practices proven to boost student achievement.
1) Ensure high-quality instructional materials are supported by aligned formative/interim assessments that help teachers identify and address learning gaps promptly.
2) Continuation and expansion of high-impact tutoring initiatives that provide targeted support for struggling students. Research consistently shows significant learning gains from these personalized interventions.
3) Expanding the science of reading instructional strategies to include numeracy components, applying similar evidence-based approaches to mathematics instruction.
4) Decrease classroom disciplinary disruptions and restrict cellular device distractions
Neighborhood/area of residence
Dover
Are you currently a school board member? (Y/N)
N
How many school board meetings did you attend last year?
Not sure but I attended many
I am a parent, advocate and volunteer who has served the district in various ways including as a substitute teacher. These experiences have afforded me the opportunity to foster relationships with community, staff and students, providing me a first hand understanding of their perspectives on what we do well and where we need change and improvement. An effective school board member must maintain two-way communication with those served in order to interpret attitudes to inform policies and procedures of the schools, and to encourage public involvement and understanding of the schools. An effective school board member also has to understand the system and the impacts of their decisions have on the students and staff that they serve.
There is no "single most important issue" but there is a single most important symptom as a result of the multifaceted issues that our school district is facing. We are not achieving the student outcomes that would demonstrate a healthy thriving educational agency. I would address this by taking a wholistic approach. We must identify the barriers, challenges and needs of the schools, community and families and find a way to implement a more balanced solution so that we can effectively educate our children. If these three areas aren't in harmony, it makes it very difficult to deliver the quality, whole child educational approach that will drive better student outcomes.
School boards should present these calls to the whole larger community and provide the opportunities that ensures all sides are heard before making these decisions. They should not be pressured by one group's agenda, as successful, equitable education can only achieved with a balanced approach.
A student's right to access education should not be denied or limited by color, income, native language, disability, or any other categorical label. We need to ensure that not only are the policies, procedures and practices in place to prevent biased practices and decisions, but that we also have systems in place to actively monitor the implementation and the fidelity of the implementation of these policies, practices and procedures. It's not about just obeying the law but building a true culture of inclusion and ensuring that the students, teachers and staff have the tools and support they need to be successful.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
The current system for funding is not adequate. We need a system that funds the students based on their individual educational needs.
Students cannot learn if their basic essential needs aren't met, and teachers can't teach if their basic essential needs aren't met. There are several things that must be addressed to create and foster the environment where marked improvements in student achievement can be realized. At this point we have tried new curriculums, implemented universal supports for students through MTSS and used various other evidence-based practices. Studies have shown that parent/family engagement is correlated with better student outcomes. Increasing family and community engagement is an area where there is an opportunity to realize an impactful change. We will work to actively engage parents/families.
