My ‘Why’ for School Board
Why am I running for school board?
I am running to be a strong advocate for kids, teachers, staff, and parents. I’ve been alarmed by news stories across the country describing political activists joining school boards for the express purpose of politicizing education issues. I’m a parent of a child in the Washington Elementary School District. Common ground can be found on nearly every issue when educating is centered as the priority.
También hablo español. My Bachelors degree from Arizona State University is in Spanish. This gives me a broader understanding of parents.
What inspired me to run for school board?
Seeing dedicated education professionals with decades of experience—many of them women—being bullied and attacked at board meetings across the country was a flashing neon sign to get off the sidelines and grow the ranks of those who believe in science, the historical inequities in public education, and the dignity of LGBTQ+ students & staff.
What do I believe in?
First and foremost, I believe Arizona teachers are dedicated, hardworking, and have the best interests of my child in mind. We don’t need to put surveillance teachers in classrooms, and we shouldn’t be banning books or the teaching of our country’s sometimes-troubled history.
I won’t cede ground to anyone who thinks public education is “government overreach”, but I will work hard to find compromise and common ground that allows public institutions to provide the best possible education to the largest number of Arizona kids.
What do public schools need?
For starters we need to stop cutting education funding every time our state manages to move up one slot in education rankings. Like clockwork business “leaders” start telling us that our state tax rates are slowing economic growth, when it’s obvious to everyone that having an educated workforce is one of the most important factors in growing our state’s economy. If you think I’m exaggerating, you only have to look as far as the March 1st budget deadline of 1.1 billion dollars. If anything is going to shut schools down, it is this political game.
Why am I the right candidate?
As a licensed real estate agent, I have a fiduciary obligation to my clients—that means I’m legally required to make their interests my top priority. We need more professionals who are willing to take a less individualistic and more clinical approach to education while serving on our school boards, and I intend to lead by example. Public education is about preparing our community’s children for success, not limiting their potential with outdated dogma or narrow parochial interests. Science, culture, diversity—these are hallmarks of a dynamic and growing country—the kind of country I want for my own children.
My goal is to help children in a positive way to create life-long learners. My goal is to understand and empathize with parents, teachers, support staff, and administrators so that they feel heard and understood.
