(A) Your Candidacy
Why are you running, and what would be your top three priorities if elected to serve?
My priority is for Somerville students to feel supported, connected, and loved at school. As a teacher, instructional leader, and parent, I know that when students are at the heart of our decision making, they thrive. When students thrive, communities thrive.
If elected, my top priorities are as follows:
1) Creating Supportive Learning Environments: I believe that building positive school cultures and nurturing social-emotional learning are essential to achieving equity. I am committed to fostering inclusive learning environments, addressing implicit bias, and ensuring every student feels safe, connected, and valued. I will advocate for policies that support restorative justice practices and promote collective wellbeing. I will also prioritize student mental health and well-being and push for increased staffing of special education teachers, social workers, and counselors to meet the needs of every school community.
2)Inclusion and Access for All: I believe every student comes to school with their own experiences, strengths, and needs. I will fight to ensure our educators have the training and support they need to meet the growing academic, social, and emotional needs of all students. I’m a strong supporter of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at Somerville High School, where students can earn real-world certifications and build clear pathways to meaningful careers after graduation. At the end of the day, this work is about serving the families and students of Somerville.
3)Family Engagement and Community Partnerships: I believe family engagement is essential to student success. Educators need support to build the skills and mindset to partner effectively with families. Strong relationships help students feel loved, connected, and supported at school. I will advocate for more equitable after-school opportunities and work to build a school culture that both values and empowers family contributions.
I’ve organized events like Math Game Night to bring families together, started the first Scratch Coding Club at my school with Cambridge School Volunteers, and led a pilot with the Young People’s Project to support math engagement for Black and Brown elementary students. These partnerships connect families, schools, and community organizations in powerful ways. On the School Committee, I will push for policies that strengthen and expand out-of-school time programs that promote equity, inclusion and belonging.
What qualifies you to hold this office?
I’m a 20-year public school teacher, a proud union member, and a Somerville public school parent. I have three children – one in elementary and one in middle school at Kennedy, and a freshman at Somerville High. Two of my kids are neurodiverse, so I understand deeply the joys and the challenges that come with navigating school systems to ensure every child gets what they need.
I hold a Masters Degree in Education with a dual licensure in Elementary Education (1-5) and Moderate Disabilities (prek-8), plus SEI endorsement and an Elementary Math Teacher license.
I’ve served on School Improvement Councils at both the Capuano and the Kennedy, and in my current role as an instructional leader, I help write school improvement plans that are grounded in data, equity, and best practices. I taught special education for 15 years before moving into my current role of an instructional math leader. I’ve also worked as an adjunct professor at Lesley University, preparing the next generation of teachers.
I’m an active union member and was a past participant in the NEA Teacher Leadership Initiative, because I believe educators’ voices belong at the decision-making table. I’m running because I’m passionate about public education, and I care deeply about listening to our community and advocating for students and their families, especially those navigating the complex process of getting services for their children.
(B) Open-Ended Policy Questions
Massachusetts has wide racial, income-based, and language disparities in educational outcomes. How would you evaluate your school district’s work to improve educational equity? What additional steps would you advocate for?
As a teacher and instructional leader, I use data every day to identify disparities, understand their root causes, and advocate for changes that truly meet student needs. I collaborate closely with our district data lead, school administrators, and fellow educators to ensure that our decisions are informed, equitable, and student-centered. If elected to the Somerville School Committee, I would bring this same mindset and skill set serving as a partner, advocate, and informed voice in our collective work to advance educational equity.
Using data well requires more than just analysis; it requires asking the right questions, staying curious, and being action-oriented. This is the work I do every day and it’s the perspective I will bring to the School Committee.
Somerville has made important strides toward equity, but we still have significant work to do especially in supporting schools that serve our highest-need students. Educational equity doesn’t mean every school gets the same resources; it means every school gets what it needs for its students to thrive. That requires transparent, consistent, and data-driven allocation of funding and staff.
I’m encouraged that the district is beginning to explore proportional funding models, and I hope to contribute to that effort. If elected, I look forward to helping redesign how we allocate resources ensuring our investments reflect our values and meet the diverse needs of all Somerville students.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration repealed a Biden-era policy that protected schools from immigration enforcement. What steps would you take to ensure that schools remain a safe and welcoming place for all students, regardless of immigration status?
Every school should be a sanctuary school. I fully support Somerville’s current policy that bars ICE agents from entering schools without a federal judicial warrant, and I’m proud to live in a community that’s leading the way on this issue. But we can’t stop here. If there are ways to make this policy stronger, I will fight to make it happen. As a School Committee member, I will also do everything in my power to support and protect our teachers who take a stand against ICE. They are doing their job: protecting all students. In a true sanctuary city, our schools must be places of safety, not fear — and that starts with policies rooted in justice, compassion, and action. I was fortunate to have attended the LUCE training and understand the urgency of what’s at stake.
The Trump administration has been targeting LGBTQ students’s civil rights. What steps would you take to ensure that schools remain a safe and welcoming place for all students, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation?
First and foremost, we need to center the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQ+ youth and their families. I believe in creating schools where every student, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, feels safe, seen, and supported. That means listening deeply, responding with empathy, and taking concrete steps to build inclusive environments.
Personally, I’ve committed to ongoing learning about LGBTQ+ issues both through my professional role in education and through direct engagement with the broader LGBTQ+ community. I am proud of our district for partnering with the Somerville Recreation Center to offer spaces for youth including a Teen Center. I also am a firm believer in the GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance) which helps ensure that our schools serve as safe havens where students can be their full, authentic selves.
If elected, I would advocate for gender-affirming health education, creating space for open conversations, and making sure every school has a clearly identified and trained support person who LGBTQ+ students and families can trust. I’ve spoken with parents who want their children to feel affirmed and protected both in and out of school – and who are looking to the school district to partner with them as they navigate this journey.
We must also acknowledge that our community holds a diversity of beliefs. Supporting LGBTQ+ students does not mean silencing differing viewpoints. It means setting clear expectations that our schools are places where every student’s rights, dignity, and identity will be respected. The School Committee must lead with compassion, listen to all families, and create spaces where we can learn, grow, and figure this out together. Ultimately, our job is to ensure that every student knows they are safe, valued, and supported in our schools, no matter who they are.
What role do you see for the school district in the city’s response to climate change?
I believe the school district has a critical role to play in Somerville’s response to climate change. First, we must fully implement the School Committee’s 2022 resolution committing our district to becoming carbon neutral. I will advocate for the city to fully fund these efforts and work collaboratively with the Mayor, City Council, and community leaders to make our schools models of sustainability.
Our school buildings are among the largest contributors to the city’s emissions, and transforming them is a tangible step toward a greener future. But we also need to think outside the box such as installing solar panels, creating (or reestablishing) school gardens and green spaces, and partnering with local organizations to expand climate learning beyond the classroom.
I recently completed a course on globalization and sustainability through Primary Source, which deepened my belief that those in positions of power have a responsibility to act on climate. I will champion science-based curriculum that empowers students to understand climate change and their role in addressing it.
How would you model transparency and accountability if elected?
Transparency and accountability are core values for me. If elected, I will continue to lead with open dialogue, active listening, and mutual respect. I believe in meeting people where they are, listening with grace, and being honest and clear, even when the issues are complex.
I have a proven track record of making complicated systems, like IEPs and 504 plans, more accessible for families. I take pride in breaking down jargon, helping caregivers understand their rights, and empowering them to advocate for their children. That same commitment to clarity and education will guide how I communicate with the broader community as a School Committee member.
I will hold office hours, attend community events, and make myself available for real conversations, not just during the campaign, but throughout my term. I’ll also prioritize listening to students and families who may not always feel heard. I’ll approach this work with a learner’s mindset: open, flexible, and grounded in community needs. I will advocate for processes that are understandable and inclusive, so our community not only sees what decisions are made but feels invited into how they’re made.
How will you engage stakeholders, including students, in budget decisions?
Budgeting should be transparent and community-driven.To make equitable budget decisions, we need to listen, especially to our teachers, families, and students. I’ll hold regular office hours, attend community events, and connect with people where they are, including parks, schools, and neighborhood meetings. I’ll actively engage with groups like the Special Education Parent Advisory Council, Multilingual Learners – PAC, Padres Latinos, the PTA, and attend Ward 3 Democratic Committee meetings to ensure diverse voices are heard. Students also deserve a voice in how resources are allocated, and I’ll work to create space for that. I’ll ensure the budget process is accessible and rooted in what our students and schools truly need.
How will you use your position to advocate at the state level for increasing education funding, especially to provide additional support for students in historically marginalized districts/communities?
As a teacher, MTA member, and NEA Teacher Leadership Initiative participant, I’ve consistently advocated for increased, equitable education funding at the state level. I actively supported both the Student Opportunity Act and the Fair Share Amendment because I believe every student, especially those in historically marginalized communities, deserves access to fully funded public education.
If elected, I will continue showing up and doing the work: sharing stories from the classroom, building coalitions, and pushing for policy change that prioritizes our students and families. That includes advocating for fair funding, expanded student support services, and asking what next since eliminating outdated graduation requirements that disproportionately harm our most vulnerable students. I’ll be a strong voice for Somerville and for all students across Massachusetts.
How will you use your position to combat the Trump administration’s war on public education?
With everything in my power. My campaign is personal and a direct response to the war on public education.
(C) Yes/No Policy Questions
- Do you oppose the expansion of charter schools? YES
- Do you support police-free schools? YES
- Do you support teaching comprehensive, medically accurate, consent-based, LGBTQ-inclusive sex ed in schools? YES
- According to the American Library Association, in 2022 there were at least 45 attempts to restrict access to books in MA schools, disproportionately books that speak to the experiences of LGBTQ students and students of color. Would you oppose such book-banning efforts if they occurred in your city? YES
(D) Additional Comments
I know that teaching is not only one of the hardest jobs, it’s also one of the most meaningful. I believe the people doing this work every day should be trusted, valued, and heard. If elected, I will bring that belief and my passion for public education into every decision I make. I’m committed to uplifting the voices of teachers, families, and, most importantly, students. I will work in collaboration with families, my fellow union members, and community members, because I know we are stronger together. I promise to listen, reflect, and keep growing because that’s what true partnership and solidarity require.