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218-341-2014
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218-341-2014
Now, more than ever, we need local leaders with experience and commitment to boldly advocate for public education and the many programs under attack that impact our students, families, staff, and community.
As a first generation college student, I want all students to have the opportunity to further their education and have many pathways to graduate. I have a Master’s degree in Social Work and my professional career has been advocating on behalf of children and families. With my 12 years of experience on the School Board, parent of 4 children that graduated from the Duluth Public Schools, and my diverse community relationships, I look forward to continuing to advance our District with steady future-focussed leadership.
Ensure our schools are safe, inclusive, and welcoming for all students and staff.
Expand community partnerships to support our students and staff.
Responsibly represent the best interests of our School District in financial matters to make sure our staff have the resources they need. With my priorities, I will continue to advocate for policies & programs that continue to improve academic success for ALL and provide vision & strategic direction that represents our community values.
Budgetary oversight is a key role of boards.Working with District Administration to gain input from staff, families & students to make sure our process is thoughtful & student focussed. Any budget cut proposals are reviewed with needs of students & staff across the District. Our District budget focus: prioritizing classroom needs, maintaining social emotional & mental health supports, advancing equity efforts, aligning funding with district priorities, seeking efficiencies & new funding sources.
Advancing Equity, Supporting Every Student, Improving Systems is our focus from our community driven Strategic Plan. Working with our District leadership and Board I will continue to support decisions that invest in programs & support policies that ensure every student, regardless of background, has access to resources and support for academic and personal success. My priorities are to continue to expand community partnerships and advocate for more opportunities for all students to thrive.
I value family engagement and our staff’s professional expertise and experience. I continue to seek input through 1-1 conversations, in person listening sessions, emails, phone calls, District advisory groups & attending school events. I am active with school PTAs, volunteer at schools, and encourage parents/caregivers/staff to participate in District wide committees. I strive to listen to learn. This Input helps me provide direction and make informed decisions representing diverse views.
We must reprioritize spending to improve student outcomes. Only 45% of students in our district are proficient in math and 56% in reading. Even more concerning, just 48% of third graders are reading at grade level—a failing grade signaling serious early gaps. We should aim for at least 65% proficiency so students exceed standards and are prepared for college, the workforce, or skilled trades. Since 2015, our district has never reached this benchmark. With experience in organizational leadership and the Air Force, I bring an objective perspective and will advocate for fiscal discipline, quality education, accountability, transparency, and innovation to help every student succeed.
1. Focused on building strong foundations in reading, math, and science so every student can succeed.
2. Ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely and ensure we invest directly in student achievement and school safety.
3. Uniting schools and community (parents, families, community leaders) through shared involvement and decision-making.
Before making any recommendations, I would visit schools to see challenges firsthand, work with stakeholders to prioritize student needs, and review positions and spending to ensure resources support student achievement. I would protect programs and fill positions that are proven to boost learning—like middle school music, media specialists, and paraprofessionals—and work with superintendents and together address the city and state leaders to solve state unfunded mandates.
We should focus on student outcomes and results, not labels. My goal is to give every student the resources, opportunities, and guidance they need to thrive, ensuring access to quality education regardless of background. We should empower principals and teachers to identify gaps in achievement—whether they stem from teacher effectiveness, curriculum, or the learning environment—and ensure superintendents develop targeted strategies to address them effectively.
If elected, I will visit every school in District 1 alongside the superintendent to understand daily challenges. I will set ambitious goals for school leaders to ensure students and teachers receive the support needed to improve proficiency in reading, math, and science. I will also make recommendations when standards or district goals are not met. Staying engaged, following up, and developing "champions" within the district are key to strengthening our school community.
