Rochester is home to me. While life took my family to a few different places over the years, including Detroit and Allentown, Pennsylvania, we always found our way back. One of the biggest reasons was Rochester Community Schools. The strength of this district, its reputation for academic excellence, and its commitment to students played a major role in our decision to return and raise our family here. Time and time again, we chose Rochester because we believed it offered the kind of educational foundation and community we wanted for our children.

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I attended the University of Michigan, where I studied English and Political Science and met my husband of 20 years. But what really drives me to serve is not just my professional experience — it is my experience as a parent. I am the mother of a child who successfully moved through the district and is now studying STEM at university, and I am also the mother of a child who is just beginning her journey through Rochester schools at Musson. I have seen the district from both ends. I have seen where RCS shines and where we need to continue growing. As a parent, I can appreciate both our wins and our warts.

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That perspective matters to me because I believe strong districts are willing to celebrate success while also being honest about where improvement is needed. As a board member, my goal would be to work collaboratively with board colleagues, students, families, teachers, and staff to focus our collective attention on two things: consistency and growth.

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Why do I feel so strongly connected to RCS? In my experience, Rochester Community Schools has always demonstrated a strong tradition of putting children first. It became the standard by which I measured other districts and educational decisions because that philosophy aligns closely with my own values. I believe students are the most important part of the educational process. There will always be politics and differences of opinion, but we must continue returning to our core purpose: providing an effective, student-centered, and united district.

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Professionally, I ran my own business as a writer and editor before transitioning into the technology sector as an IT Business Analyst at DTE. I have always valued learning and pushing myself into new spaces, which led me to apply for and complete the Empow(her) coding bootcamp focused on bringing more women into technology fields. At DTE, I served as the bridge between business and technical teams. The work required listening, analysis, communication, collaboration, and balancing priorities while keeping projects moving forward and within budget.

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That experience translates directly to board service. Successful leadership requires bringing people together, listening carefully, identifying common goals, and keeping the mission front and center even when there are disagreements.

My beliefs are straightforward: kids deserve strong schools, staff deserve support, and the community deserves to be heard. Rochester is an outstanding district with exceptional educators, families, and students. We need to continue supporting the people who make that possible. Strong schools require strong staff, and that means respecting working conditions, maintaining equitable opportunities across the district, and prioritizing collaboration.

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I also believe educator support starts with listening. How is staff morale? If it is struggling, how do we improve it? If it is strong, how do we sustain it? How do we balance accountability with support? Do we have structures in place that create clarity, incentives, and trust? I am not interested in forcing predetermined answers. I want to ask thoughtful questions, generate productive discussion, and listen carefully to the people closest to the work.

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Families continue choosing RCS because of the incredible teachers, staff, and educational opportunities throughout this district. Rochester’s success did not happen by accident, and it will only continue if we remain committed to supporting both students and staff.

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Funding also reflects priorities. The district has a fiduciary responsibility to remain financially stable and forward-thinking. We have seen how financial instability can impact public education, and I believe Rochester should continue investing in kids to help expand opportunities and maintain excellence across the district.

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At the same time, I believe strongly in protecting and strengthening public education. Public schools are foundational to strong communities, and Michigan has long recognized that responsibility. I believe public dollars should remain focused on strengthening public schools and supporting the kids they serve every day.

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Everything comes back to keeping students at the center. Financial stability supports services and opportunity. An engaged and informed community strengthens trust. A respected and supported staff helps students thrive. And when we focus on the whole child, we give every student the opportunity to grow into the scholar, leader, and citizen they are capable of becoming.

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