My commitment to Grand Rapids Public Schools is personal, lifelong, and rooted in love and responsibility. As a proud GRPS graduate, I know firsthand the power of a public school system that believes in every student. Every person who makes a school community, from principals and teachers to secretaries, custodians, and mentors, played a role in shaping who I am today.

I believe that when a community invests in you, there is a responsibility to give back. That belief has guided my career, my service, and ultimately my decision to run for the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education.

For more than 15 years, I've worked to strengthen public education by supporting students, families, educators, and school communities. I've helped students overcome barriers to learning, partnered with families, supported educators, and worked with school districts to create stronger schools. Last year, I returned to GRPS as a long-term substitute teacher, giving me the opportunity to experience today's classrooms firsthand and deepen my understanding of both the opportunities and challenges facing our district.