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Age
36
Occupation / Current Position
Food Safety Professional
Education
BS in Cell & Molecular Biology, Psychology from GVSU
Experience & Qualifications
Professional experience in leadership and management, coaching youth athletics
I am a 2007 graduate of Sparta Area Schools. Today, I am a Spartan parent with children enrolled in our district, giving me a direct, personal investment in the future of our schools. Professionally, I work full time as a food safety professional—a role that requires constant attention to detail, strict accountability, and an unwavering focus on keeping people safe. In previous roles, I have been responsible for a department of nine individuals, giving me direct experience in personnel and budget management. My background in safety, regulatory compliance, and budget management allows me to approach school board policy, financial oversight, and district leadership with accountability, analytical precision, with a focus on student success.
While Sparta Area Schools have out-performed the state average on recent standardized testing, our students lag behind other students in Kent County. In addition, there are a large number of students who have chronic absenteeism, and this no doubt impacts their ability to be successful in school. This is an area of concern for our whole community, and the school board should work to create community-school partnerships to address these deficits. The Sparta Education Foundation could be a key partner in this area.
Maintaining stable funding streams has been and continues to be a top issue for public schools and the board members who serve to lead them. Another issue is the preparation of the next generation of educators. A 2026 study by Michigan State University shows that there has been an increase in the number of people pursuing a career in education, but there is still a projected shortage. Sparta Area Schools has a proud tradition of supporting young people who are interested in education, as well as hiring former graduates, and this work should be continued.
The budget priorities should always focus on making the greatest impact on teaching and learning for every student in our classrooms. This calls for the board to prioritize having top-notch educators leading instruction with the necessary materials and with appropriate class sizes. Then, the board can balance other priorities such as facilities and extra-curricular programs.
