Professional Experience
Student
Campaign Phone
8636053088
I am running because I believe we must invest in public education so that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to making our society better. I believe in investing our time and effort into supporting our teachers and staff, and in fixing our broken, reactionary approach to student mental health.
As a student, I faced challenges, but my teachers were always there to support me, lift me up, and help me succeed. I have seen firsthand what it feels like to struggle and to be overlooked as just a small part of someone’s day. That’s why I believe our dedicated teachers and staff deserve to feel that their work truly matters and is making a difference.
I strongly support competitive salaries and meaningful support for our teachers and school staff. When we invest in the people who educate and mentor our students every day, student success follows. Attracting and retaining high-quality educators requires fair compensation, adequate resources, and strong institutional support. I will support any measure that responsibly raises teacher and staff salaries and ensures they have the tools they need to help every student succeed.
Budget Cuts. When schools lose money, they cut the budget, and students lose access to programs, outlets, and essential resources that keep them engaged and in the classroom.
Yes! Any educational institution that receives money from the government should be held to the same educational standards and financial standards as regular public schools.
Professional Experience
I began my career teaching agriculture in Polk County's middle and high schools before joining Warner University in 2015, where I now serve as Chair of the Agricultural Studies Department. I am honored to serve as Chair of the Polk County School Board and Vice President of the Florida School Board Association, working to advance policies and support initiatives that benefit students, educators, and public schools throughout Florida.
Educational Qualifications
As a proud graduate of Polk County Public Schools, I understand firsthand the impact a quality public education can have on a student's life. That foundation led me to earn a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and Communication and a Master of Agribusiness from the University of Florida, followed by a Master of Science in Agricultural Education and Leadership from the University of Missouri. Those experiences continue to shape my commitment to lifelong learning.
Campaign Phone
863-412-8986
My wife and I are proud Polk County Public Schools graduates and are raising our three sons in Lake Wales. I seek re-election to ensure every Polk County student has access to an excellent education while supporting the employees who make that possible. Education is a family calling, with multiple generations of our family serving in PCPS and Lake Wales Charter Schools. My priorities are improving student achievement, investing in our staff, and maintaining safe schools. During my tenure, PCPS improved from a "C" to a "B" district while eliminating all "F" schools. I remain committed to making PCPS an "A" district, supporting educators, and strengthening partnerships with the Polk County Sheriff's Office to keep students and staff safe.
As a lifelong Polk County resident and proud graduate of Polk County Public Schools, I understand the opportunities our schools create because I have lived them. I taught agriculture in our middle and high schools before becoming the Warner University Agricultural Studies Department Chair, giving me experience from middle school through college and career readiness. As a father of three, I share the hopes parents have for safe, high-performing schools. My service as the Polk County School Board Chair and Florida School Boards Association Vice President allow me to bring national and statewide best practices home while remaining focused on what matters most: improving academic outcomes for Polk County students and supporting our educators.
Recruiting and retaining high-quality educators must remain a top priority. Although Polk County Public Schools ranks 62nd of 67 Florida districts in per-pupil funding, we have consistently prioritized salary increases for our employees. We should continue strengthening local teacher pipelines, embracing flexible staffing models, streamlining hiring, and expanding targeted incentives for hard-to-fill positions. By protecting planning time, supporting mentorship, reducing unnecessary burdens, and investing in strong school leadership, we can attract, support, and retain outstanding educators. There is no single solution to the teacher shortage, but implementing these strategies can enhance our likelihood of a positive outcome.
The expansion of scholarship programs has increased competition for student enrollment and funding, requiring traditional public schools to be more responsive to the needs of students and families. While that presents challenges, it also creates opportunities to innovate and improve. Public schools will continue to educate the vast majority of students, including those with the greatest academic and specialized needs. As public dollars support more educational options, every school receiving taxpayer funding should be held to comparable academic and financial accountability standards to ensure students and taxpayers are well served. My focus is to ensure PCPS is the first choice for as many families as possible.
I support expanding educational opportunities for families through school choice, but choice must be paired with transparency and accountability. Whenever taxpayer dollars are invested, whether through the Florida Education Finance Program or scholarship programs, there should be clear, consistent accountability for student outcomes. Polk County Public Schools and public charter schools are graded under Florida's A-F accountability system, and I believe every school receiving public funds, including private schools participating in scholarship programs, should be held to comparable performance and reporting standards. Choice and accountability should work together to ensure every student has access to a high-quality education.
