Focusing on what children need. Schools should be welcoming spaces where every young person feels cared for and develops a sense of belonging. Each student deserves access to high-quality instruction and a rigorous curriculum that ignites their curiosity and supports their growth. Struggling learners should receive timely, evidence-based interventions and wraparound services. On the School Board I’ve advocated for enhanced literacy instruction, improved special education services, and greater engagement with families. Other initiatives I’ve championed include expanded athletics and student activities, career and technical education, mental health support, and substance abuse prevention.

Supporting our teachers. As an educator and former union member with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), I believe every child deserves a professional teacher. Quality, professional teachers are our greatest asset and competition among school systems for the best teachers is fierce. I was proud to lead the effort to pass a resolution authorizing collective bargaining in ACPS, and I will continue to advocate for competitive compensation and meaningful opportunities for professional growth for ACPS staff. Our teachers are uniquely positioned to know the needs of our students and school division, and I will continue to listen to and elevate the voices of our teachers.

Investing in our schools. More than half of our schools in Alexandria are over 50 years old, and years of underinvestment led to deteriorating buildings. I’ve worked hard to reverse this trend since joining the School Board in 2019. I will continue to advocate for the accelerated modernization of our school buildings, timely routine maintenance, and improved communication with stakeholders. I’ve also supported efforts to enhance school safety and cybersecurity, improve indoor air quality and modernize our playgrounds. Our children and teachers deserve safe, modern and healthy environments to learn and work.

Planning for our future. As the population in Alexandria continues to grow, enrollment in our schools has been increasing. This growth has been uneven across the city leading to class-size discrepancies and a rise in the number of students assigned to schools outside of their attendance zone. It’s time to tackle this challenge head-on through a collaborative redistricting process that balances class sizes and enables all students to attend their neighborhood school. Additionally, our planning efforts must communicate a clear vision for how we will accommodate future growth. Alexandria is a thriving, diverse community, and being a welcoming school division is one of our core values.