I grew up in Rochester, and after spending time in other communities for work, my husband and I returned to the place I’ve always called home. I earned degrees in English and Political Science from the University of Michigan and worked as an IT business analyst at DTE, helping business and technical teams solve problems and navigate complex decisions. I serve as board secretary of my HOA, volunteer with the PTA, previously coached basketball through RARA, and participated on the RCS Facilities Planning Commission. As the mother of a Rochester Adams graduate now studying STEM in college and a child in elementary school, I have seen RCS from different points in the educational journey. I’m running because I want every student to have the opportunities my children have had, and I would bring careful listening, clear communication, sound judgment, financial responsibility and a collaborative approach to the board.
RCS is a strong district, and the challenge is to build on that strength while adapting to changing needs. Three top priorities are expanding academic opportunities, responsible financial and facilities planning, and supporting excellent teachers and staff. I would use achievement data and family input to strengthen instruction and access to special education, advanced learning, and college and career pathways. I would approach enrollment changes, limited resources, and aging facilities with careful budgeting and long-term planning that considers students, neighborhoods, and taxpayers. I would listen to employees and support competitive compensation, professional development, and policies that help them stay focused on students. Across each area, I would seek diverse perspectives, make thoughtful decisions, and communicate clearly with the community.
I am a proud parent of two Rochester Community School students, a former teacher, and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® with a strong commitment to our students and community. As a parent and active community member, I experience firsthand the importance of a school system that supports students academically, socially, and emotionally. My professional background in education and financial planning provides a unique perspective. As a former teacher, I understand the realities of the classroom and the need to support educators in meaningful, practical ways. As a financial planner, I bring experience in budgeting, long-term planning, and responsible financial oversight, ensuring that decisions are made with both accountability and sustainability in mind. I am an active volunteer in our schools and community. These experiences have reinforced my belief that strong schools are built through collaboration, trust, and open communication between families, educators, and leadership.
RCS is an amazing school district with a strong community behind it. However, if we want to both keep our school district strong as well as prepare it for the future, we must appropriately focus our attention. The top issue for me is academic excellence. In recent years, our test scores have trended downward, even as GPAs have trended upward. We cannot continue this trajectory if we want to prepare our students for real world success. As a board member, I would ask the administration to look at how we can reverse this trend. Second, our district must have proper financial priorities. Every day, I help families set financial goals and figure out how to achieve those. This is something the board needs to do as they set the direction for the district. Third is transparency. In recent years, the district has fractured trust with the community through concealing information that should be public, silencing minority voices, and more. I would be a voice for all families in the community.
