DUTIES: The BOE shares its responsibilities with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to establish and oversee educational policies; to make decisions on educational, facility, and financial matters; and to appraise the educational and administrative management of the public school system. The CEO implements public school policies and programs. The BOE may not contradict management and oversight of fiscal affairs except by a 2/3 vote of the BOE. The purpose of the Board is two-fold: to raise the academic achievement of students and the level of engagement of parents, students, and community. The BOE consists of 9 elected members, 3 members appointed by the County Executive, 1 member by the County Council, and 1 student member.SALARY:$18,000 + $7,000 reimbursementTERM: 4 years; no term limitsHOW ELECTED: By popular vote within one of nine districts. Districts 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8 are elected during Presidential elections; Districts 2, 3, 6, and 9, during Gubernatorial elections. BOE races are non-partisan and all registered voters may vote in both Primary and General elections. The top two vote getters in each race advance to the General election; uncontested races (only one or two candidates) do not appear on the primary election ballot.
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I was raised in Prince George’s County, attended PGCPS schools throughout my childhood, and later dual-enrolled at Prince George’s Community College. My education here inspired me to study the policies and systems that shape our schools. Through tutoring, youth coaching, and community engagement, I have worked directly with students and families and remain committed to strengthening the public education system that helped shape my own path.
I believe families should always feel comfortable raising concerns about books or instructional materials used in their children’s classrooms. Those concerns should be taken seriously and reviewed through a clear and transparent process. By listening and working with educators, we can address concerns thoughtfully while ensuring students continue to receive a strong, well-rounded education.
My heart goes out to our students, many of whom carry burdens we may not always see. I support expanding access to school-based mental health services, including counselors and partnerships with community organizations. Strengthening restorative practices and family engagement can also help students feel supported, safe, and connected, so they are better able to focus on learning.
It pains me to see students full of promise held back because their school lacks the resources, courses, or trusted educators they deserve. I will advocate for directing resources where they are most needed, expanding access to challenging coursework across the county, and supporting the educators and leaders who guide our students each day. With thoughtful oversight and clear data, we can ensure every student receives the opportunities they deserve.
Great schools are shaped by dedicated teachers and leaders who care deeply about their students and communities. To retain and empower them, we must ensure they feel respected, supported, and equipped to succeed. I support mentorship for new educators, manageable class sizes, and safe, well-resourced schools so teachers and administrators can thrive and continue building strong learning environments for our students.
Over 15 years of experience in the K-12 education system coupled with additional experiences leading a Congressional education portfolio followed by service as a local elected official at the municipal level in the county has uniquely prepared me for the position. I have both the technical and community advocacy skills necessary to act day one.
It is important that families and concerned community members are able to voice concerns about books and instructional materials. The process for doing so should be accessible and transparent. The response to concerns should reflect the current policy. That said, our students rely on and deserve access to relevant and rigorous curriculum facilitated by experts and benefit from seeing themselves and others reflected in those material as we prepare them with global context.
The Blueprint calls for expanded and dedicated behavioral health services. I support that position and any similar policies that ensure students have access to mental health supports by professionals trained to support their needs. To help schools address the ongoing concerns around mental health, I will continue to advocate for exploring meaningful ways to remove navigational barriers and strengthen class and school environments that foster positive well-being and readiness to learn.
The weight and acceleration of resources and services must align to the need. Every course must be developmentally appropriate and provide clear pathway and opportunity to more rigorous opportunities for all students. At the high school level, especially, educators should be trained for Advanced Placement. I support existing legislation and district posture around open access and believe enhancements will only strengthen commitment to students and families.
To attract and retain effective teachers and administrators, I support strong, coherent onboarding and competitive as a starting place. As demonstrated by my approach to collaborative problem-solving, I believe and welcome coordinated efforts at every level of government, and clearly defined partnerships with union and other key stakeholders to reveal strategies or enhance existing strategies that are promising.
