About Me
I am dedicated to improving the lives of those who live in my community. To do so requires that I serve as a relentless advocate for these neighbors. As a result of my career as an educator I have developed keen listening skills and have learned how to bring together those with differing points of view to achieve positive results.
I did not set out to become an educator, but as I began to search for a school for my daughter 29 years ago, I discovered there were a number of areas in the educational system that needed improvement. Instead of sitting back and complaining, I decided to do something about it. Simply put, I changed my career, went back to school to secure the credentials I needed to obtain my teaching license so I could be the “difference that make the difference” through advocacy.
Today, utilizing the skills I have garnered during my 28 year career as an educator, I serve as a mentor to teachers who are in their first three years of teaching. In that role, I focus on enhancing their performance and supporting their professional growth. I do so by working alongside them to ensure they adopt best practices. My goal is to increase their reflective self-directed learning through coaching, as well as collaborating, consulting, and engaging with members of the school’s administration to adopt strategies to support each teacher. Prior to joining the legislature, I represented the interest of students and parents, and educators on a policy level by serving as a member of the Inver Grove Heights School Board.
I decided to run for House in 2022 after spending countless hours listening to parents and students. I recognized that there was a greater need for my advocacy to help address the kitchen table issues we all face, to address the issues faced by those with disabilities, to support economic opportunity initiatives that will strengthen small businesses and unions, to ensure safe communities, and to meet our pressing environmental challenges.
Having been a resident of Dakota County for more than 30 years, I am keenly aware of the issues that my neighbors in District 53A face day in and day out. You can always count of me to fight for you as your Minnesota State Representative.
I invite you to learn more about where I stand on the issues.
My Experience
TRAINED EDUCATOR
St. Paul Public Schools teacher for 28 years
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction
TRUSTED ADVISOR & LEADER
Current:
Elected Minnesota State Representative since 2022
Former:
ISD199 School Board Member
Vice Chair of Association of Metropolitan School District (AMSD)
Educators for Excellence Local Advisory Board Member
ISD199 Superintendent’s Advisory Council
Governor’s appointee to Minnesota Board of School Administrators (present)
St. Paul Schools Superintendent Shared Accountability Action Team
Teaching Fellows Program Assistant Director
Minneapolis Educational Leadership Awards Steering Committee
Involved in Positive Behavior Management Intervention Teams
PROJECT & BUDGET MANAGER
Helped develop annual Schoolwide Comprehensive Improvement Plans
Managed literacy grant budgets
St. Paul Federation of Educators Contract Action Team
Participated in facility construction planning
Completed school-wide mandated state reporting
Minnesota State University – Mankato Alumni Association Board of Director, President
ADVOCATE FOR EQUITY IN CLASSROOMS
Civil Rights Commissioner for City of Minneapolis
Minnesota Department of Education Teacher Equity Stakeholder Advisory Group
Involved in the Parent Teacher Organization