The key responsibilities of a school director are to hire and evaluate the superintendent, adopt and revise policies that guide district operation, approve and oversee the budget, and be representatives and advocates for the community.

My relevant experience includes serving on the Tumwater School District Equity Committee and the 2022 Budget Advisory Committee, where I gained a strong understanding of school finance, budgeting, and revenue. I’ve also spent the past four years on an advisory team for a private school, where we consult with the administration on policy, budgeting, and overall operations. In addition, my family has served as foster parents for the past eight years. This experience gives us a unique perspective on advocating for and understanding the needs of vulnerable communities. It has also required close familiarity with specific policies and Washington Administrative Codes (WACs).

Our district is in the process of adopting a Strategic Plan which will set a clear vision for the district’s priorities over the next several years. In it, we define the characteristics of a district graduate.

My vision is that we really lean into those priorities and measurable outcomes to ensure we are providing the best education to our students.

With a background in sports, I bring a competitive spirit to everything I do — and I want Tumwater to be the best school district in Washington. I envision a district that others look to as a model, asking, “What are they doing in Tumwater, and how can we learn from it?”

My vision is centered on a shared commitment to education as our highest priority. In a time when it’s easy to focus on differences, I believe we can come together around what unites us: the desire to see every child succeed. That means respecting families, supporting staff, and ensuring students are equipped with the skills they need for a strong future.

By keeping our focus on student success and working collaboratively as a community, we can build a district that leads with excellence and earns the confidence and pride of those we serve.

The vote in question was an advisory vote on an advisory policy related to a proposed WIAA amendment, which I support. The amendment was thoughtfully written to allow participation for all students, while also preserving a sex-based category specifically for female athletes. It’s important to recognize and support the need for dedicated opportunities for female athletes to compete fairly. At the same time, I’m concerned about the extreme rhetoric often used in these conversations—words like “hate,” “ban,” and “anti-trans” can shut down dialogue instead of fostering understanding. We need to approach this issue with honesty and compassion, creating space for all students, including transgender youth, to feel supported and optimistic about participating in school athletics.

The reality is, fixing the budget will be hard. There are difficult choices ahead, and it won’t be pleasant. But we can take practical steps right now to move in the right direction.

One of the most effective things we can do is focus on keeping and growing enrollment. That means staying focused on what families want: strong academics, excellent teachers, great school experiences, athletics, and extracurriculars. We should avoid getting sidetracked by divisive cultural issues and instead keep our energy on delivering a high-quality education for every student.

We can strengthen partnerships with community organizations like the Tumwater Education Foundation. We should also continue to rely on strong community support to meet the needs of all three high schools — Tumwater, Black Hills, and Cascadia. At the same time, we must advocate for increased materials and operating funding from the state, so our schools have the resources they need to serve every student well.

It won’t be simple. But if we stay focused on students, support our staff, and work together as a community, we can rebuild a stronger, more sustainable future for Tumwater schools.

I’m the candidate who is focused on what matters most: education. My priority is making sure our students aren’t just graduating — but graduating with real proficiency in reading, math, and other core skills that prepare them for life after high school.

I’m committed to helping Tumwater balance its budget and build a sustainable financial future, not just for next year, but for the years to come. That means making thoughtful, practical decisions that support both student outcomes and staff stability.

If you're looking for a steady, student-centered voice on the board — someone focused on academic results, responsible budgeting, and keeping our schools on mission — I’m ready to serve.