Term: 4 yearsThe school board develops school policies and adopts a budget for school buildings, staff, materials, and equipment. It evaluates the effectiveness of school policies and develops goals for educational improvement in alignment with the TN Board of Education. It keeps citizens informed about the schools and keeps the schools informed about the needs and wishes of the public. It works to pass laws advancing the cause of improving education, and to repeal or modify existing laws and defeat proposed laws impeding that cause. Members should understand relevant laws and regulations and vote and act impartially for the good of the school system.
I have lived in Hamilton County for 17 years. I moved from North Nashville to Chattanooga to attend UTC and fell in love with the area.
The biggest challenge I expect to face if elected is effectively balancing my duties on the school board with my responsibilities as a small business owner, a wife, and a mother of school-aged children.
I believe I am the most qualified candidate for this office because of my experience counseling children and families throughout Hamilton County. I understand how to support and empower individual students while also respecting the vital role families play as their first teachers and primary decision-makers in their children’s education.
I bring a balanced, thoughtful perspective and am skilled at seeing issues from multiple angles, which allows me to help bridge divides and build consensus among differing viewpoints. As a parent of students currently in Hamilton County schools, I am directly impacted by the board’s decisions and deeply invested in their outcomes.
In addition, my experience as a small business owner has given me a strong foundation in budgeting, financial responsibility, and strategic decision-making. Living and working alongside other Hamilton County families, I have a clear understanding of what our community wants and needs from its schools.
I moved to Chattanooga in the summer of 2020 to join the psychology department at UTC and have since made Hamilton County my home.
The greatest challenge will be helping our schools succeed in a funding environment where public dollars are increasingly being diverted away from public education. When funding is reduced or redirected, schools are asked to do more with less, which affects staffing, class sizes, and access to supports like mental health services and extracurricular programs.
Research consistently shows that sustained investment in public education improves student achievement and long-term outcomes, especially for students in under-resourced communities. My role will be to advocate for strong public schools, ensure transparent budgeting, and work with our community and state leaders to keep resources focused on the students who rely on our public system.
I am both a product of and a believer in public education. I graduated from public schools and was the first in my family to attend and complete college. That experience shaped my commitment to ensuring every student has access to the same opportunities.
Professionally, I hold a doctorate in developmental psychology and have 15 years of experience as an educator at public universities. I teach courses in child development, statistics, and research methods, and I train educators nationwide on evidence-based practices that improve student outcomes and career readiness.
I’m running because I care. I cared when mental health services were removed from 2,500 students without a plan. I spoke out, showed up, and did the work to run for this role—and I will bring that same commitment to our children.
