I am deeply passionate about and committed to facilitating student learning and supporting educators in their success. As a mother and grandmother of two boys who learn differently and are scholars at CMSD, I believe that all children deserve a quality education, irrespective of their background. With over 20 years of experience in education and social advocacy, I currently assist families and their children in navigating SDOH regarding Trauma Inform Care and locating educational services and other important resources to improve their lives. Education is the key to success, and I am dedicated to serving all those I will serve if elected as your State Board of Education Member.

Ongoing professional development opportunities are essential to retain teachers by offering them professional, emotional, and financial support. Incentives for financial management and signing bonuses can further assist in this endeavor.

Currently potential teachers have to complete the preparation program, this is needed because it provides the course work and clinical work along with ability to passing the Ohio assessments and background checks that's needed to protect children, teachers and other staff. When you are working with children this is a must and should not become flexible to the point that our children and communities are not safe. We must make sure that teachers are well prepared and qualified. Even with a master's degree they still should go through the certification system.

I am a strong advocate of public education. As a health care professional I understand how a good education impacts all aspects of the overall well being of children, and the communities where they live.

We need to recruit teachers by making higher education attainable and affordable. We need to allocate funds to make sure that teachers have the resources they need to create safe and inclusive learning environments. We need to pass legislation that ensures that tax dollars are not funneled in to private sectors, designed to exclude students that live in low performing districts.

I believe that certifications are necessary to meet the diverse needs of students. As technology evolves so do methodologies surrounding education standards.