Campaign Phone
331-213-2189
I bring 29 years of classroom experience to this position, including 20 years serving DuPage County students and families. I also served six years on the Illinois Education Association and National Education Association Board of Directors where I worked with legislators in Springfield and Washington, D.C. as well as educators from across the country to strengthen public schools, support educators and serve students, families, and communities. For the last six years, I have served as co-president of my local education association and developed a collaborative relationship with administration to address challenges affecting educators and student learning, including navigating through COVID and remote learning.
My goal is to actively protect public education in DuPage County by ensuring schools remain safe, inclusive environments for every student, educator, and family during a time of rapid change. I also have a goal of making the Regional Office of Education (ROE) a visible, welcoming partner by planning regular school visits to gather input of those working in our schools on issues such as educator shortages and chronic absenteeism, as well as providing hands-on support in implementing state laws. Anything that is done by the ROE on these and other education issues needs to be informed by those working in the schools and those that the issues affect the most. I would also include visits to families and community groups to gather their ideas.
While strong safety protocols are essential and need to be in place, schools should remain welcoming spaces, not hardened environments. In addition to the compliance assistance that the Regional Office gives in regards to safety pIans and drills, I will advocate for and help districts develop prevention-focused safety policies that strengthen school climate and support systems, such as expanding school-based mental health partnerships, training staff in trauma-informed practices, and ensuring threat assessment teams focus on early support. I will help districts connect families in crisis to community resources and support ongoing training and coaching in restorative practices for school staff, students, families and community groups.
As federal support systems change, strong regional leadership becomes even more important to help districts interpret requirements and maintain compliance. DuPage districts should not be navigating this uncertainty alone. I will make sure the ROE is ready to provide more direct guidance and coordination where needed. Illinois has many laws that protect public schools from some of the changes we are seeing, including laws preventing the collection of immigration status and protections against book bans. I will make sure districts understand and follow these laws. As more federal roles shift to the states, I will work with ISBE and state leaders to elevate district needs, advocate for resources, and develop practical solutions.
I am running in part because too many districts, educators and families feel disconnected from the Regional Office. Many DuPage residents do not understand how the Regional Office of Education affects them. I will rebuild those relationships by re-establishing a Regional Superintendent Advisory Board of educators, union leaders, administrators, and community representatives that meets regularly to address issues in DuPage schools. Additionally, I will prioritize time in classrooms and schools so that I can see firsthand what is happening in them. I will also actively engage PTAs and family groups so the ROE is visible, accessible, and responsive to the people it serves.
Campaign Phone
331-444-2594
I bring a results-driven background as the Regional Superintendent, with experience at every level of public education. As a classroom teacher and instructional coach, I strengthened learning systems for student growth. As an AP and principal, I coordinated ROE resources for diverse student needs, led school safety planning, and supported building inspections. As Assistant Regional Superintendent, I managed state grants and oversaw regional programs. As Regional Superintendent, I have launched the DuPage ROE Safety Summit and the DuSMART call system. I lead the College & Career Readiness Ecosystem, coordinated a grant for the CARES Collaborative providing mental health resources, as well as partner with the DuPage County Health Department.
My goals are to strengthen communication and coordination to ensure school safety and efficient use of shared resources, enhance professional learning that supports high-quality instruction, expand student and family services, and improve internal systems and capacity at the ROE. I will continue to advance regional safety training and partnerships, support educators through meaningful professional development, and coordinate resources that address attendance, alternative education, mental health, and career readiness. By refining systems and leveraging grants, the ROE will deliver effective, measurable support to districts, educators, and students countywide.
I will advocate for a comprehensive, coordinated approach to school safety focused on prevention, preparedness, and collaboration. This includes expanding threat assessment training, providing ongoing safety training for educators and support staff, and strengthening partnerships with law enforcement, emergency management, and mental health providers. I will continue supporting regional safety initiatives such as shared safety agreements, reunification planning, and emergency communication systems. I also remain committed to school safety inspections, compliance with building standards, and ensuring districts have the training, guidance, and resources needed to maintain safe, secure learning environments for students and staff.
I will address the effects of recent Department of Education changes by serving as a clear, reliable resource for districts. I will keep schools informed of new guidance and requirements as they arise. By strengthening regional collaboration, districts can share strategies and align resources to maintain student services and instructional quality. I will also advocate for local needs with state leaders, seeking clarity, flexibility, and resources so schools can navigate change without disrupting learning or safety.
To enhance regional relationships, I will facilitate no-cost job-alike network meetings for educators to collaborate across the 42 districts. I will lead a steering committee with partners like DAOES, WorkNet DuPage, College of DuPage, and local businesses to expand the College & Career Readiness Ecosystem. By partnering with agencies like the DuPage County Health Department, I will seek grants to assist with care navigation for families needing mental health support. I will also support the GPS Parent Series, continue the Parents as Teachers Program, and host the Regional Spelling Bee to engage school families. Finally, I will use the Education Matters newsletter to highlight district initiatives and promote the teaching profession.
