Campaign Phone
863-446-2981
Number of years as resident
I previously lived in Howell before moving to Florida for 10 years, and returned to the Howell community 9 years ago.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Education, with minors in Biology and Social Studies, from Ferris State University; Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University; and training in Classical Teaching Practices through Hillsdale College.
I believe strong public schools are essential to strong families and a strong community. As both a parent and an educator, I have a personal investment in the continued success of Howell Public Schools and want to use my experience to help ensure our district remains focused on what matters most—our students.
For the past 20 years, I have worked in public education as a teacher, principal, and district-level leader. Those experiences have allowed me to see education from many perspectives and have taught me the importance of strong academic expectations, effective leadership, supporting quality educators, responsible decision-making, and meaningful partnerships with stakeholders.
My connection to Howell Public Schools is also deeply personal. I student taught in the district, my oldest daughter is a Howell High School graduate, and I currently have two children attending Howell Public Schools.
I have spent the past twenty years working in public education. My career started here in Howell, where I student taught in 2006 at Latson Elementary. I have served as a teacher, principal, and district-level leader in public schools across Metro-Detroit and Lansing. This experience has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing our schools. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Ferris State University, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University, and have been trained in Classical Teaching Practices by Hillsdale College. I was honored as Teacher of the Year and have been nominated for School Administrator of the Year multiple years. As the founding principal of one of Michigan’s highest-performing public schools, I bring proven educational leadership, extensive experience at multiple levels of public education, and a strong commitment to academic excellence, accountability, and student success.
One of Howell Public Schools’ greatest strengths is its strong foundation of dedicated educators, engaged families, broad student opportunities, and high academic expectations. Over the past several years, graduation rates, academic growth, and proficiency rates have all trended upward, demonstrating encouraging progress. However, overall proficiency remains an area in need of continued improvement. We must build on this momentum by strengthening achievement for all students, addressing achievement gaps, supporting struggling and unique learners, and ensuring our programs and resources produce measurable results. As a Board member, I would celebrate Howell’s successes while using data, stakeholder input, and responsible oversight to identify opportunities for continued growth.
I am currently involved in the community in a variety of ways. I have served as a cheer coach with HAJFL, and my children are deeply involved in Howell athletics and activities. My son is a member of the Howell High School Varsity Hockey Team, while my daughter is a member of both the Howell High School Varsity Cheer Team and Champion Force Cheer Team. My daughter is also an active member of the Livingston Skate Club and the Howell High School Varsity Figure Skating Team. These experiences have allowed me to build relationships with families throughout our community and remain closely connected to the students, parents, and programs that make Howell such a special place to call home.
Number of years as resident
29
Education
Bachelor of Science, Central Michigan University; Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, San Diego State University; Doctor of Education (in progress), University of Southern California
Howell Public Schools gave me a great education and opportunities that helped shape who I am today. I’m running because I want to pay that forward. I believe in quality public education, have deep roots in Howell, and bring experience on both sides of the board table as a board member and superintendent. I believe in servant leadership and see opportunities to build upon what Howell does well, continue to grow, and make a strong district even stronger. Every decision should begin with one question: "What’s in the best interest of students?" I’d be honored to help ensure today’s Highlanders have the same opportunities I had, and more, to learn, grow, discover their potential, and prepare for whatever comes next after graduation.
My background combines governance experience, educational leadership, and community service. I’ve served on four public charter school boards, including in board leadership roles, and spent seven years as a public charter school superintendent, where my work received recognition for educational leadership and innovation. Today, I serve as CEO of North Star Reach and as adjunct faculty at Cleary University. My career has given me experience in governance, finance, strategic planning, communications, and stakeholder engagement. Most importantly, I’ve learned to listen, ask thoughtful questions, value different perspectives, and understand the distinction between governing and managing. I’m ready to put that experience to work for Howell.
Howell has many strengths, including dedicated educators and staff, strong community pride, and a variety of opportunities and pathways for students. Like every district, there are opportunities to improve. Test scores provide important information, but they are only one measure of student success. We must prepare students for more than a test; we must prepare them for life after graduation, with the knowledge, skills, experiences, and confidence to succeed in whatever path they pursue. I believe in a growth mindset: study the data, listen to those we serve, build upon what works, and understand what could work better. We should continually ask, “What’s possible?” while keeping what’s in the best interest of students at the center of every decision.
Community involvement has long been an important part of my life. I believe strong communities happen when people show up, listen, work alongside one another, and get involved. I currently serve as President of the Rotary Club of Howell, a Worthy Trustee of the Howell Eagles, and am an active member and facilitator of the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit E.D.G.E. Group. I’m also adjunct faculty at Cleary University and advisor to its new Rotaract Club. Beyond Howell, I’m President-Elect of the Association of Fundraising Professionals West Michigan and a member of the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation Board of Trustees, where I chair the Scholarship & Grants Committee. These roles keep me connected to people and perspectives across our community and give me opportunities to listen, learn, collaborate, and give back.
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Campaign Phone
5172197975
Number of years as resident
37
Education
Double Major in International Business & Management with a Minor in Spanish from Northwood University. Master Board Member Award and Advocacy Skills Specialty from Michigan Association of School Boards.
There are many reasons I'm motivated to run for re-election to the Howell School Board. Not only am I a graduate of Howell High School, but I have daughters, nieces and nephews that attend Howell Schools. This community shaped who I am, and giving back to it through service on the board means everything to me. It's also important to me that our board stays cohesive and puts children first, not a political agenda. I'm a common-sense candidate who always puts the students, staff, and district first. I often ask myself: if it's not me at the board table, who is - and will they bring that same mindset.
I'm in my tenth year on the Howell School Board and currently serve as a trustee, after previously serving as treasurer, vice president, and president. I've served on the OneHowell, i3, and Finance Committees, and today serve on the Policy, Health and Wellness, and Bond Oversight Committees.
I'm a Howell High School graduate with daughters, nieces, and nephews in our schools, and a downtown small business owner who served on the Howell Main Street DDA board as Secretary. I'm active in Howell Rotary and community events, because staying involved keeps me connected to what our families need.
I also believe learning doesn't stop once you're elected. Through the Michigan Association of School Boards, I earned the Master Board Member Award and an Advocacy Skills Certificate, completing 9 Core and 23 Advanced classes, while earning 506 continuing education credits.
That mix of tenure, leadership, community roots, and ongoing training is exactly what our board table needs.
I'm proud of the opportunities Howell Public Schools offers its students. Our goal is to help our graduates become involved, well-rounded citizens — and that doesn't mean everyone has to go to college, just that every student has the chance to find their strengths and passions. Howell offers AP classes, Dual Enrollment, Early College, CTE programs, Co-Op, Virtual School, and Innovation Academy, so there's a path for a wide range of interests and learning levels.
That said, there is always room for improvement. Reading proficiency is one area we've been focused on, and we recently updated our curriculum to help strengthen it. We're constantly looking at data, collecting feedback, and reviewing curriculum to make sure we're providing our students with the best education and life experiences possible.
I've served my community in many ways over the years, including through the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce, 100 Women Who Care, and the Howell Main Street DDA, among others. These days, my community involvement centers more on students and education.
As a school board member, I make it a priority to attend and support the performances, athletics, and events put on by our students and district — it's important to be part of the HPS culture. I'm also a member of Howell Rotary, a mentor with Reaching Higher, and I read to students each March during Reading Month.
I love getting hands-on, too — from taste-testing at the Three Fires Pie Baking Contest to "earning" a varsity letter through a student council competition, where I shadowed a student for a full day, attending their classes. Staying genuinely connected to student life is what keeps me grounded in what our schools actually need.
