Dedicated to Serving Milan Students
Renowned educator Dr. Rita Pierson once said, "Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be." As a former Milan teacher and a parent in Milan Area Schools, the quality of our schools and the education we provide for our community are paramount to me. I am humbled to ask for your trust to be a new kind of champion for our students in Milan.
I am an expert practitioner in the classroom with 15 years of teaching experience. As a teacher, I meet each student and family where they are, and work collaboratively to help each child realize their fullest potential. Beyond my classroom, I have also served on building leadership teams, mentored teachers, worked as a union representative and participated in contract negotiations, and coached extra-curricular activities for students. My experiences both in and out of the classroom have given me a well-rounded understanding of how a healthy school district operates, effective ways to support staff and students, and the ability to collaborate effectively across differences to achieve our common goals.
Strong relationships grounded in trust and mutual respect were the foundation in my classroom communities, and I promise to lead with that same dedication to trust and respect as a member of our Board of Education.
MY PRIORITIES
Inclusive School Community
Our district vision is: “Milan Area Schools prepares individual learners to realize the best version of themselves, by creating a supportive, caring, and inclusive educational community.”
We need to strengthen our efforts to live out this vision statement. Milan Area Schools has made significant strides toward inclusion and creating a community culture that is supportive of all students, but we can and must do more to achieve true educational equity for all Milan students. I see this as a central pillar for all other District goals.
Personnel and Leadership
Like so many districts across our state and nation, Milan Area Schools continues to have difficulty hiring and retaining professionals to serve our students at every level. In this difficult climate, we must do more to attract and hire diverse, well-qualified candidates. School professionals today endure an unprecedented amount of pressure. Thus, we must also ensure that our district supports and retains its professionals once hired by offering outstanding benefits, robust opportunities for growth or advancement, and by creating a culture of caring for the whole adult, just as we strive to care for the whole child.
Board Scope and Focus
I believe that a school board is elected to carry out specific functions as required by law. Trustees, therefore, must focus on the job we were elected to do and work to ensure that the teachers, staff, and administration are able to do their jobs effectively as well. As a Trustee, I will execute my duties and operate professionally within the scope of the Board's policies and overall purpose.