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Age
41
Occupation / Current Position
Small Business Owner
Education
Undergraduate studies in Health Sciences, Developmental Psychology, and Gerontology
Experience & Qualifications
14 years of healthcare experience; small-business owner; Rockford Marching Band Sponsorship Chair; ISAC Co-Chair; Odyssey of the Mind Co-Coach; HOA President; parent of current and former RPS students; longtime student and family advocate with firsthand experience navigating special education; community volunteer.
I bring 14 years of healthcare experience in Neurology and Neurosurgery where advocacy, documentation, communication, teamwork and navigating complex systems were part of my daily work. As a small-business owner and HOA president, I have experience reviewing expenses, managing competing priorities and communicating decisions to stakeholders. I am also a parent of current and former Rockford students with firsthand experience navigating general and special education. My involvement in RPS includes ISAC, Rockford Marching Band and co-coaching Odyssey of the Mind. I would bring careful preparation, thoughtful questions and a willingness to listen to students, families, staff and the community.
Improving student achievement starts with identifying where students are struggling and responding early. I support evidence-based instruction, early screening, targeted small-group intervention and consistent progress monitoring, particularly in reading. District and state assessment data should be used to identify specific skill gaps rather than viewed only as overall scores. We also need to support teachers, protect reasonable class sizes and ensure students with disabilities, as well as students who may not qualify for an IEP or 504, can access appropriate support. Academic success also requires attention to student mental health, attendance and engagement.
Public schools are facing interconnected challenges including student achievement, mental health, special education, school safety, educator recruitment and retention, and financial pressures. Districts must also respond to changing enrollment while maintaining strong educational opportunities. Another important challenge is maintaining trust between schools and the communities they serve. Families, educators and community members should have access to accurate information, understand how major decisions are made and have meaningful opportunities to provide input. Strong public schools require both effective educational practices and responsible, transparent governance.
My priority is protecting resources that directly support students and classrooms while maintaining the district’s long-term financial stability. Budget decisions should begin by distinguishing needs from wants and evaluating spending based on measurable value to students. Before reducing teachers, paraprofessionals, academic interventions or other student-facing services, I would closely examine administrative costs, outside contracts and discretionary spending. Enrollment trends and long-term obligations must also be considered. When difficult tradeoffs are necessary, the Board should clearly explain the options, costs and reasoning to the public.
