About Me

I live in Fargo with my husband Nick, daughter Alexandra, and two rescue dogs. My daughter is in fifth grade at Bennett elementary and is ready to move up to middle school. I enjoy playing with the dogs, gardening, and being active in Alexandra’s 4H club.

I have a bachelor’s degree in education and master’s degree in leadership. I spent much of my professional career in early childhood education as a teacher and program director. I have experience with annual budgets, strategic planning, leading communities of practice, and organizational theory.

This year, I was selected to be a member of the FPS Long Range Facility Planning Steering Committee. This process has given me valuable experience and context in what it takes to plan for the future of the district. I have seen first-hand the impact community involvement has had on this process, and how valuable each individual voice from the greater district has been.

I would be honored if you considered voting for me for Fargo Public School Board of Education.

Qualifications

Education

BS Elementary Education-MSUM

MA Leadership-University of Jamestown

Professional

State of North Dakota-Early Childhood Licensing Specialist

City of Fargo Human Rights Commission

Issues Important to Me

Trust Teachers

Student’s Rights

District Governance

I Trust Teachers

Teachers are experts in their field and must be trusted to make decisions based on their expertise and best practice. Parents should work hand in hand with their child’s teacher to ensure their student gets the best experience possible at school.

Teachers must know they are valued. The district must show value by ensuring a livable wage, fair schedules, opportunities for professional development, support teachers by supporting kids, and involve teachers in the conversations that impact their jobs.

I Respect the Rights of all Learners

Every learner that walks through FPS doors should be respected for the individual they are. Each learner should have equitable access to quality learning experiences which engage them in a lifetime love of learning.

All learners in FPS buildings should feel safe, valued, and seen by all district staff. Our kids need to be able to feel safe talking to their teachers if they might be struggling. Our students are our future, so as adults, we need to ensure they feel included and respected in their education.

District Governance

The FPS School Board governs through a policy model meaning that the board’s work is guided through systems and polices. This model serves as a roadmap for the board and the superintendent to do their work. It is not the role of the board to handle day-to-day work around the district; that is up to each individual building administrator and teachers who are better positioned to work through things that might arise. More about the district’s governance process can be found here.

As a new board member, I hope to work with seasoned board members as well as Dr. Gandhi to best understand the district’s policies. I believe my master’s degree in leadership will give me a base of knowledge to ensure I can effectively carry out my duties as a board member.

Communication

Communication in and around the district is key to district involvement. Parents cannot support their learners if they are not told what is going on at school. Our district must create plans to ensure communication gaps are closed and district stakeholders are aware of what is happening around FPS.

Teachers must feel connected to the district and able to get questions answered by district administration when needed. Gaps in communication practices can lead to teacher dissatisfaction and turnover.

As a board member, I will look for solutions to fill the communication gaps and ensure our district is operating transparently.

Long Range Facility Plan

I have been an active member of the Long Range Facility Planning committee (LRFP) and have learned quite a bit about our district through this process. Our northside buildings are much older than the rest of the district and cost more to operate than a newer building.

I support plans to combine campuses and remove old buildings. I understand the history of each building, and the need for smaller neighborhood schools, but our students should be able to learn in facilities that can keep up with the newest technology.

After speaking with teachers and parents, I believe that new buildings on the north side of the district will be what will set our district apart from others and is the most fiscally responsible option.