Previous Offices Held
None
Top Three Priorities
Supporting teachers, supporting families, thoughtful long term strategy
Why are you running?
Having started my career as a public teacher in Wisconsin, I am intimately familiar with what our teachers do each and every day to support our kids and understand the support they need to do that invaluable work. I now run a nonprofit community music school in Portland and understand the challenges of accomplishing important things with limited resources. I bring a collection of experiences and a perspective to the role that position me to contribute in helpful and meaningful ways.
What is the biggest challenge facing your area’s schools? The biggest opportunity?
I believe the biggest challenge for any school system is providing teachers and students the support they need and deserve with limited resources. This is further complicated by the funding formulas we live with. But therein lies our greatest opportunity: to continue to come together to find the best ways to support our teachers and students, a process that fosters the supporting community required for schools to thrive.
A top issue for many parents is the age of Maine’s school infrastructure. How would you address this issue locally from your position on the school board?
As the current Gorham schools strategic plan expires in 2027, and having direct experience in this area, I look forward to participating in the process of crafting the next plan. As has become a hallmark of the Gorham schools, a thoughtful approach to planning, engaging multiple stakeholders from across the community, will help inform a facilities plan that will properly support student growth and development.
Do you think the state government is too involved in local schooling? Not involved enough? The right amount of involved? Explain your answer.
As a member of the school committee, it will be my responsibility to — alongside my school committee colleagues — work within existing laws and regulations to best support our teachers and students. As I embark on that work, if it becomes clear that the level of state involvement in our schools needs amending, perhaps I’ll run for state office after my three year school committee term in order to effect that change.