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Learning flourishes when leaders listen with humility, govern with integrity, and build bridges between schools and communities, research and practice, and diverse perspectives. Today, I am honored to serve as a trustee for Rochester Community Schools, connecting people, ideas, and experiences in service of students. 

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My husband and I chose Rochester Community Schools because we believed in the opportunities the district provides for students. Like so many parents, we entrusted our daughter to Rochester's educators every morning, knowing that learning is shaped not only through curriculum but also through relationships, encouragement, and care. Watching our daughter grow from her first days at Hart Middle School to her graduation from Stoney Creek High School gave me a deeper appreciation for the extraordinary work our teachers, staff, and schools do every day—and for the responsibility entrusted to those who help guide the district.

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Over the course of my career, I have experienced education as a parent, university faculty member, administrator, researcher, curriculum consultant, nonprofit leader, and now trustee. Each role has offered a different perspective, but together they have reinforced one conviction: the best decisions are made by listening carefully, weighing evidence thoughtfully, and working collaboratively on behalf of students.

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For more than three decades, I have worked at the intersection of K–12 and higher education. As Director of the Oakland University Writing Center and a faculty member who has taught everyone from first-year writers to doctoral students,  I strengthen teaching, learning, and communication across disciplines. Increasingly, my work focuses on helping students, educators, and educational leaders develop the skills to evaluate evidence, think critically, and use emerging technologies—including generative AI—responsibly and effectively.

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My work extends well beyond the university. For more than twenty years, I have served as a College Board consultant for AP English Language and Composition, partnering with teachers to strengthen curriculum, instruction, assessment, and college readiness. As President of the International Writing Centers Association, I have partnered with educators from around the world to build consensus, foster innovation, and support learning across diverse educational settings.

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Experience has taught me that leadership is rarely about having all the answers. It is about asking thoughtful questions, listening carefully, bringing people together, and making principled decisions—even when those decisions are difficult. These are the principles that guide my service as a trustee.

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Generations of dedicated educators, families, and community members have built an extraordinary foundation for Rochester Community Schools. If elected to a full six-year term in November, I will continue strengthening that foundation with integrity, transparency, collaboration, and careful stewardship. Whether serving as a trustee, as a member of the Rochester Forward team, or simply as a neighbor invested in our community's future, I remain committed to helping Rochester Community Schools move forward together.