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Position/philosophy statement
North Carolina
Current Occupation
Retired
Campaign Phone
910-384-3168
I am a retired veteran and currently serving on the Scotland County School Board. For more than twenty years, I have been actively involved in youth leadership and advocacy throughout our community. My passion is student retention and ensuring that our children stay engaged. By ensuring that every child stays engaged and supported this keeps them on track to graduate. Ultimately, I strive to help our students gain access to scholarships and post-secondary opportunities.
The most important responsibilities of a school board member are to first understand the mission and to ensure that every decision we make advances the success and well-being of students. In order to implement and carry out our duties, we must ask: How does this benefit our students? For it is our mission to serve and improve the life of all students by preparing them for the future in order to build and sustain a strong community.
Our district faces two urgent challenges: reduced local funding and a sharp rise in student mental health needs. Many of our children are experiencing anxiety and depression that directly affect attendance, behavior, and academic performance. Within available state and local funding, I would prioritize protecting strong classroom instruction, retaining quality teachers, and maintaining manageable class sizes. At the same time, we must strengthen school-based mental health support through counselors, community partnerships, and grant opportunities. Every dollar must be strategically aligned to put students first — academically and emotionally.
I would focus on both compensation and working conditions to recruit and retain qualified teachers. While state salaries are outside local control, we can advocate for competitive local supplements, retention incentives, and partnerships that support housing or classroom needs. We presently offer a Beginners Teachers Program however I would better support also growing our own pipeline by investing in teacher cadet programs and partnerships with local University North Carolina Pembroke, Fayetteville State University and other colleges. Most importantly, I would look closer at attending some of the College Job Fairs in our state as well as bordering states.
My position on Pre-Kindergarten is simple: the earlier, the better. Our children experience tremendous growth & learning between the ages of birth and five. Those early years lay the foundation for language development, literacy, social skills, & emotional readiness.
Strong programs such as those at Sycamore Lane Primary/Elementary, Wagram Elementary, Laurel Hill Elementary, & South Johnson Elementary are among the most important investments we make as a district. Early childhood education builds the foundation for long-term academic success. Students who attend quality Pre-K programs are better prepared to read by third grade, less likely to require remediation, and more likely to graduate. Pre-K is not an extra; it is of great importance!
I also want to commend the many Pre-K programs across Scotland County for the exceptional work they are doing to support our students in their earliest years. Their dedication to nurturing young learners and building strong academic and social foundations truly makes a lasting difference in our community.
Position/philosophy statement
NC
Current Occupation
Educational Leader
Age (optional)
32
Campaign Phone
9103738801
As a former educator and proud Scotland County native, I bring firsthand classroom experience and a deep understanding of the challenges teachers and staff face every day. I’ve worked directly with students, families, and school leaders, which has sharpened my skills in collaboration, problem-solving, and advocacy. I understand instructional needs, staff morale, and the realities of limited resources. My leadership experience, commitment to transparency, and data-informed decision-making equip me to fight for strong supports, fair policies, and a BOE that truly listens to and champions our educators and community.
The most important responsibilities of a school board member are to advocate for students, educators, and families while always doing what is right for the greater good of the district. This means setting aside personal egos, politics, and agendas to make decisions that are ethical, transparent, and student-centered. A board member must ensure strong policies, fiscal responsibility, and accountability while supporting and respecting the professionals who work in our schools. Above all, it requires listening to the community, collaborating with fellow board members, and leading with integrity and humility.
The most critical needs in our district are higher local supplements to recruit and retain quality teachers, increased instructional resources for classrooms, and more intentional, transparent decision-making from district leadership. I would prioritize funding that directly impacts teaching and learning by investing first in our educators and classroom supports. This includes carefully reviewing the budget, seeking efficiencies, and advocating for state and local funding that aligns with student outcomes. Every financial decision should be data-driven, equity-focused, and guided by what best supports teachers, staff, and students.
To recruit and retain qualified teachers, I would focus first on valuing and supporting the educators we already have by offering meaningful retention incentives for current staff. For recruitment, I support implementing a $2,000 sign-on bonus for new teachers who commit to a minimum two-year contract with the district. In addition, I would advocate for competitive local supplements, strong mentorship for new teachers, and a supportive work environment where educators feel heard and respected. Retention happens when teachers know they are valued, supported, and invested in long term.
As a former EC Pre-K teacher and childcare center director, I strongly believe Pre-Kindergarten and early childhood education programs are essential to student success. High-quality Pre-K builds strong academic, social, and emotional foundations that directly impact long-term outcomes. I support fully compliant programs that follow all rules and regulations while ensuring developmentally appropriate instruction, strong staffing, and family engagement. As a board member, I would advocate for adequate funding, high standards, and increased visibility of Pre-K and ECE programs so early learning remains a clear priority in our district.
If elected, my focus will be on retaining and supporting the people who keep our schools running. I will advocate for retention bonuses, increased supplements for teachers, and fair compensation for classified staff. I also want to spotlight and expand innovative CTE programs that prepare students for real-world careers and strengthen our local workforce. Additionally, I support bringing back the LITTLE SCOTS childcare center at SHS as a way to support staff, students, and families. Every effort will be guided by what strengthens our schools and community long term.
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