ABOUT ME
Education has been at the center of my professional life.
I have been a teacher and administrator at an independent school in Ocean County for over 6 years.
I have had the opportunity to teach students in every grade from 6th through 12th, giving me firsthand experience with the different academic, social, and developmental needs students face as they progress from middle school through graduation.
I hold a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as two master’s degrees, a Master of Education with a focus on Social Studies instruction and a Master of Arts in History. I also hold two undergraduate degrees.
My educational background has given me the opportunity to study education from multiple perspectives, including classroom instruction, curriculum development, history, government, and communication.
I have a strong interest in educational research and enjoy studying the issues that directly affect students, families, and schools. I am particularly interested in student absenteeism and truancy, understanding why students miss school, how attendance affects academic achievement, and what schools can do to better engage students and families.
My experience in education has reinforced a simple belief: education is not one-size-fits-all.
Every child is different. Students have different strengths, challenges, interests, learning styles, and goals. Our education system should recognize those differences rather than expecting every student to fit into the same mold.
Most importantly, I believe parents should be empowered to make educational decisions based on what is best for their individual child. Government has a role in maintaining strong public schools, but parents know their children best and should have a meaningful voice in their child’s education.
My commitment to education extends beyond the classroom. I am the founder and executive director of a local civics education program that gives young people hands-on opportunities to learn about government, elections, public policy, leadership, and civic responsibility.
Through interactive government simulations and other educational experiences, students are encouraged to become informed, engaged citizens while learning how to respectfully discuss issues, consider different perspectives, and understand the institutions that make our system of government work.
WHY I’M RUNNING
I want to bring my experience in the classroom, my educational background, my educational research, and my involvement in our community to the Freehold Township Board of Education.
I understand that decisions made by a school board ultimately affect real classrooms, real teachers, real families, and most importantly real students. I want to ensure those decisions keep academic achievement, parental involvement, transparency, fiscal responsibility, and the individual needs of students at the forefront.
For me, serving on the Board of Education is about helping build schools where teachers can teach, parents have a voice, taxpayers are respected, and every student has the opportunity to succeed.
