VOTE411 Voter Guide

I believe my professional and personal experiences make me uniquely qualified for this position. As a former elementary school teacher, current adjunct instructor at Saint Leo University, and school board member, I have seen education from multiple perspectives. Teaching future educators allows me to stay connected to our schools while helping prepare the next generation of teachers.

As a school board member, I have worked to expand opportunities for students, support teachers and staff, strengthen workforce and civics education, and be a good steward of taxpayer dollars. I am proud that during my service, Pasco County Schools earned an A district rating through the hard work of our students, educators, staff, families, and community.

As a proud Pasco County Schools graduate, serving this community is personal to me. I believe in showing up, listening, building relationships, and always putting students first. My experience, passion for public education, and proven record of service make me the best candidate for this position.

Advocating for adequate funding for public education starts with building strong relationships and having a seat at the table. Throughout my time on the school board, I have traveled to Tallahassee to meet with legislators and advocate for the needs of Pasco County Schools. I will continue working with our legislative delegation, community partners, and education organizations to ensure our students and educators have the resources they need to succeed.

I also believe it's important to be a good steward of the taxpayer dollars we receive. Strong advocacy means fighting for increased funding while also ensuring those dollars are spent responsibly and strategically to directly benefit students.

As our district continues to grow and evolve, I will continue advocating for funding that supports student achievement, school safety, workforce education, teacher recruitment and retention, and the programs that help every student reach their full potential. Every child deserves access to a high-quality public education, and I will continue working to ensure Pasco County Schools has the resources necessary to provide it.

My priority will always be putting students first. That means protecting our classrooms, supporting our teachers and staff, maintaining safe schools, and being responsible with every taxpayer dollar.

During my time on the board, I've been willing to make difficult decisions when they were in the best interest of our district's long-term financial health. That includes supporting school consolidations, rezoning, and transportation changes that created efficiencies while allowing us to keep investing in students. Those decisions weren't always popular, but leadership sometimes means making the tough choices.

If funding continues to be limited, I would continue looking for ways to operate more efficiently before considering cuts that directly impact classrooms. I also believe our community deserves to know how their tax dollars are being spent, which is why I have advocated for a financial transparency dashboard to make our budget more accessible and easier to understand.

At the end of the day, every budget decision should answer one question: Is this what's best for students? That's the standard I've used throughout my time on the board, and it's the standard I'll continue to use.

Recruiting and retaining great teachers starts with making Pasco County Schools a place where educators feel valued and supported. I will continue advocating for competitive teacher pay, meaningful classroom supports, and resources that help teachers succeed. One example is when I advocated to keep instructional assistants in kindergarten classrooms because I know the difference that extra support makes.

In 2018, during the teacher shortage, I became an adjunct instructor at Saint Leo University because I wanted to be part of the solution. Since then, I've helped prepare future educators, many of whom now teach in Pasco County Schools, and I will continue supporting partnerships that strengthen our teacher pipeline.

I also believe you can't effectively support teachers if you're not in our schools. I regularly volunteer, serve as a volunteer substitute, and spend time talking with teachers, staff, and administrators so I can better understand their needs and advocate for solutions. I'll also continue working with our legislative delegation and traveling to Tallahassee to advocate for increased teacher pay and the resources our educators need to be successful.

Every student deserves to feel safe, supported, and have the opportunity to succeed. I will continue supporting initiatives that strengthen school safety, expand access to mental health services, and ensure every student has the support they need.

As a former teacher, my background gives me a unique perspective. My degree is in elementary education, and I am certified in Exceptional Student Education (ESE). I also worked with children who are blind and taught students with IEPs, so I understand firsthand the importance of providing the right services, strong communication with families, and the staff needed to help every child succeed. Relationships matter.

I also believe we must continue investing in counselors, school psychologists, social workers, and teacher supports. I was proud to support Project RISE, which connects students and families with essentials like food, clothing, mental health, and other critical services. I firmly believe students learn best when their basic needs are met, and I'll continue advocating for programs that support the whole child.

Transparency starts with being present and accessible. Pasco County is my home, and our community, schools, students, teachers, staff, and families are my heart. I believe people deserve to know not only the decisions we make, but why we make them. That's why I've advocated for a financial transparency dashboard so our community can better understand how district dollars are being spent.

I also believe the best decisions come from listening. I spend a great deal of time in our schools, at community events, and talking with parents, teachers, staff, students, and community members because those conversations matter. They help me understand different perspectives and make more informed decisions.

Not every decision is easy, and not everyone will always agree, but everyone deserves to be heard. I will continue to be visible, accessible, transparent, and committed to making decisions that put students first and reflect the values of the community I am proud to call home.

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