About

I was so fortunate to have taught in Grand Rapids Public Schools for 22 years. I graduated from Western with  a special education major and elementary school minor. I then went on to earn a master's degree in education from Cornerstone.

 

Over my career in GRPS I taught general education for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students in six different schools. Many of the classrooms were split grades and inclusion classrooms. At these schools I have served as Tech coordinator, safety coordinator, Miblsi (now PBIS) coach and I’ve also been a member or leader of almost every committee that supports students and staff in our district. I feel that all of my years of experience in this district afford me a unique perspective and would be a strong asset to the school board and would allow me to initiate the change our district so desperately needs. 

 

I chose to run for school board because I feel the voices of our staff, students and families are not being heard or valued. Over the years I have witnessed so many wonderful teachers and families leave our district. This is a trend that must be turned around.

 

There are ten candidates running for 5 open seats on our board. I have put together an acronym to simplify the topics and principles I feel crucial to put our district on a healthier path. It starts with the word ‘RESPECT’. 

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RESPECT

R - Retain staff and students

E - Educating students

S - Support staff and students

P - Parents as partners

E - Equity among the schools in our district

C - Community Engagement

T - Transparency