I'm an Albany parent of a 6th and 10th grader and a dedicated school volunteer. Although I have a doctorate in molecular biology, I left the biotech world when my children came along. I've lived in Albany for 18 years, and for more than a decade, I have been deeply involved in the Albany schools.

My extensive volunteerism and commitment to Albany schools has earned the endorsement of every current school board member, as well as the Albany teacher's association executive board, Evolve California, a Prop 13 reform group, current and past mayors, and the Democratic Party.

My public service began at Albany Preschool, and includes several years of being PTA President at Marin, Marin Site Council President, AMS Writer Coach, community-wide committees such as the Community Advisory Council, Fundraising Advisory Committee and Facilities Master Planning Configuration Committee.

My style of leadership is embodied by a phrase in the Democratic Party platform: "Democrats believe that cooperation is better than conflict, unity is better than division, empowerment is better than resentment, and bridges are better than walls."

I initiated regular meetings between the elementary PTA Presidents and district staff, and strengthened cooperation between the PTAs through joint efforts. A cooperative fundraising effort between elementary schools was established in the effort to promote equity. I took that to the next level and fostered cooperation with the other PTAs on several fronts. This brought us together, broke down an outmoded idea that we were in competition with each other, and allowed us to support each other's initiatives. I organized the 2014/15 School Board Reporters, district-wide parent volunteers who summarized School Board meetings for busy parents by posting summaries on the etrees. Cooperation, Unity, Empowerment, and, I must add--Participation are my bywords.

My support of safe, appropriately sized schools culminated with co-chairing the Yes On Measures B & E Committee; the role of the school board is to oversee those projects now. I want to make sure that we build the right schools for Albany, for a 21st century education, that fully utilize our teacher's on-the-ground knowledge of what they need to educate students. Getting the greatest possible value from our tax dollars is very important to me, as well as avoiding pitfalls we might have experienced in the past.  

Lastly, communication between the school district and the community needs improvement. Communication is a powerful bridge, and we need those bridges. I will work toward opening up authentic, user-friendly channels of communication and parents, community members, and students.

My experience and leadership is the basis on which I am asking for your vote.

Dedication to our Kids
As a former teacher, and as a proud AUSD parent, I am dedicated to ensuring that our children always come first. My agenda is simple: Making sure our schools are set up for all of Albany’s kids to follow their dreams and achieve great success.
 
Community Engagement
I believe we are much stronger as a community than we are as individuals. Now, more than ever, we need to be more accountable and transparent to the community. Everyone’s voice must be heard—parents, students, teachers, administrators, and the community at large, to ensure the best for our students.

Smart Investment
The construction of our new school buildings will not only have immediate effects but will impact the community for many years to come. The stakes are high and the community investment is great. Managing budgets, financial reports, negotiations, construction and other responsibilities are also required to ensure success. As a successful small business owner, I have the necessary tools and experience to ensure that we are allocating our community’s investments most wisely.

Experience
My experience in education dates back over 25 years when I was a Teach for America Corps member in one of Houston’s most under resourced middle schools. After leaving the classroom, I served as the organization’s marketing director, recruiting top teaching talent. Once in the private sector, I continued my work in the classroom by engaging business people as volunteers in high school classrooms to inspire future generations of leaders.

Strong Leadership
I believe we are much stronger as a community than we are as individuals. At this critical juncture, strong leadership is needed to ensure that our vision for our children to access high-quality education remains a reality. My leadership and experience in both education and the private sector gives me a unique perspective so that together, we will achieve our goals.

Taking a Business Approach
Managing budgets, financial reports, negotiations, construction and other responsibilities are also required to ensure success. As a successful small business owner, I have the necessary tools and experience to ensure that we are allocating our community’s investments most wisely.  

Investing in Tomorrow’s Schools, Today
The decisions we make today regarding the construction of our new school buildings will not only have immediate effects but will impact the community for many years to come. The stakes are high and the community investment is great. Thus, we must be extremely diligent in ensuring our new schools are not only seismically safe but are also positive learning environments that incorporate sustainability across curriculum for future generations to come.

Now is the Time
Now, more than ever, we need to be more accountable and transparent to the community. Everyone’s voice must be heard—parents, students, teachers, administrators, and the community at large. Albany has invested a great deal into the future of our kids’ education and only through collaboration, dialogue and partnership will we be successful.