HOME | Mysite

School Board Candidate pics 020920-015.jpg

ABOUT ME
she/her/hers

PROUD PARENT

I am a proud parent of two children who are a part of the LGBTQ community.

ADVOCATE

Meuwissen-Werb Leadership Award, PFund Foundation Scholarship, 2021

Scholarship recognizing the leadership of LGBTQIA+ leaders and allies.

MINNESOTAN

My parents moved my family to Northfield in 1978 to be a part of the Minnesota Miracle of a strong economy and top-rated schools.

When I started high school my family moved to upstate New York. I later returned with my own family to Brainerd in the mid-2000s, and finally to Maple Grove in 2015.

PUBLIC SPEAKER

I am a public speaker for LGBTQ rights, safe and welcoming schools, diversity, inclusion and equity.

COMMUNITY MEMBER

Community Action Partnership Board - Hennepin County

JUNE 2021 - PRESENT

Political Action Committee

OutFront Minnesota

JULY 2018 - PRESENT

Diversity & Inclusion Task Force Chair Maple Grove Middle School Parent's Group

2018 - 2019

District Planning Advisory Council Member- Osseo School District 2019

Chicago Gifted Community Center

President and Board Member

2012 - 2016

LIFELONG LEARNER

I grew up around college campuses and continued higher education at Syracuse University and the University of Oregon.

I earned a B.A. and a Master's Degree in Anthropology and Gender Studies.

In 2021 I completed a Master's in Advocacy and Political Leadership from Metropolitan State University.

MY VISION

Each and every scholar has a safe and welcoming learning environment.

School communities flourish with robust community engagement.

Scholars of color can see themselves represented by teachers of color.

We invest in smaller class sizes, more guidance counselors, social workers and education support

professionals to work one-on-one with scholars.

All school districts are fully and equitably funded by the state legislature.

SCHOOL BOARD ACCOMPLISHMENTS

In January 2021, our school board elected the first woman of color as board chair.

We updated the graduation policy to allow indigenous scholars to wear ceremonial regalia on April 27, 2021.

On July 20, 2021, we passed a Gender Inclusion Policy that supports the rights of gender non-conforming students to make name and gender changes in school records, participate in school activities, and have access to restrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity.