An example of my active and ongoing commitment to Community Collaboration through partnership with ISD 194 administration and staff. 

Our children and parents need to be heard.  Our teachers and staff need to be heard.  All voices should have an impact on higher-level decision-making. 

I began regularly attending ISD 194 school board meetings in 2020 to encourage the board to advance efforts to address the well-documented achievement gaps that exist in our district as well as the importance of mental health support in the schools.  My attendance and participation at these meetings led me to commence regular meetings and dialogue with district/building administration, teachers and staff.  Throughout these conversations – which I’m proud to say remain ongoing – we share our perspectives on equitable education, social-emotional learning and a variety of other topics.  We discuss the challenges of implementing new initiatives in a large educational system, and the patience and persistence required to effect change.  Should I be elected to the school board, I will continue to use this same approach of collaborative conversations as I connect and partner with our learning community. 

We must connect as a community and grow — together.