Why I’m Running

I am running for the Kirkwood School Board because I know firsthand how wonderful our schools are and I believe I can contribute to their ongoing success.

Whenever I tell people “where I went to high school,” it speaks to an excellent education, and a childhood surrounded by a tight-knit community full of tradition, support, and care for one another. To grow up in Kirkwood means a lot of incredible things, but above all else it means being a Pioneer. No matter the path that gets you there, graduating from Kirkwood High School is an empowering experience full of pride and camaraderie.

For me, Kirkwood Schools also meant opportunity. They gave us the chance to explore and grow any interests or talents, with enough support and resources to reach our potential. This was done through classwork and clubs and amazing educators. I could write pages about all of the clubs and unique experiences I had access to, all because I was lucky to be a Pioneer. I feel this is a tradition that lives on, as I wake up early twice a week to get my kids to Westchester for a singing group and chess club, or when I take them to STEM night.

I see so much potential for Kirkwood to not only preserve the legacy of our schools’ excellence, but to grow even better and stronger through dynamic, engaged leadership. I hope to bring a sense of innovation and aspiration to our district by consistently asking us to evaluate current practices, as well as explore what new ideas might be possible. I want to have the best possible teachers and administrators by ensuring we maintain a culture of accountability and by prioritizing things that make our district a desirable place to work. I want to support our current efforts towards equity in education while seeking out additional opportunities to advocate for vulnerable students. I want to keep “value” in mind as we make spending decisions, being responsible stewards of the community’s trust while furthering our goals for educational achievement.

In short, I don’t want to take our potential for granted, resting on the successes we already have. I want to seize that potential and do more. I want us to find the next level, the next goal, that next frontier… because we are Pioneers.