The responses to these questions were edited for length and clarity by the Georgia Decides team. Each candidate was allotted 150 words for each answer and some answers were trimmed in order to abide by that length requirement. Other edits were made to make sure readers can fully follow and understand the candidate responses.
Campaigning for: Cobb County Board of Education District 6
How does your background equip you for the job you are seeking?
As a former Cobb County Schools educator and having experience in other large diverse school systems, I will utilize my on-the-ground experience with a systems-level leadership approach to analyze and promote the things the district is doing well while also identifying and advocating for areas needing improvement. As I value perspective, my experiences in and out of the district will allow me to make thoughtful decisions with our students, their families, teachers, and school leaders in mind.
My teaching experience has positioned me to have a greater understanding of what policy decisions look like in practice within our schools and their impact on school leadership, students and their outcomes. Coupling my background with my continued passion for education has prepared me to elevate the concerns of those I represent, always strive to do what is best for our students and schools through policy, collaboration with the Superintendent and other board members, and lead with transparency.
What role should government have in the lives of Georgians? How would you apply that philosophy to the job you are seeking?
Government should provide equitable access to support and resources needed to help communities thrive. It should also be responsive to the needs of those who are direct beneficiaries of these services and resources. I will apply this philosophy to my role, when elected as a school board member, by engaging the community I serve to ensure decisions being made are reflective of the community’s interests and needs, and will ensure financial decisions are made in alignment with those needs.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what problems will you spend the most time solving and why?
When elected, the following problems will be prioritized:
1. Expand student learning opportunities and experiences to innovate literacy education programs to improve reading scores, increase diverse learning experiences for students, and address learning loss due to the pandemic.
2. Amplify the collective voice of students and their families, teachers, and the community through ongoing engagement and incorporating community input in board decision-making.
3. Increase support for teachers, administrators and support staff by soliciting and prioritizing teacher voice in board decision-making, protect teacher time, provide needed resources, and increase professional development and leadership opportunities.
4. Ensure sound fiscal responsibility and budget management through committing to include data and research in all fiscal decisions, and advocating for two-way, transparent fiscal management.
Addressing these various areas will help to ensure that Cobb County schools are a model for educational excellence.
Georgia is a politically diverse state. How will you work to represent Georgians whose political views differ from your own?
I will work to ensure that I am doing what is best for all students and families represented in Cobb schools. Regardless of political affiliation, I will engage with those who are willing to have courageous, respectful conversations and be open-minded in discussing differences in order to find common ground where possible.
Who has been the biggest influence on how you view government and politics? What have you learned from this person?
My view on government and politics has largely been shaped by the late Congressman John Lewis. He always stood up for what he believed in. Through his rich legacy, he has been an example of how to be unapologetic and consistent with our perspectives and positions on issues we are passionate about, even in the face of adversity.
Politics is often about compromise. How do you decide when to compromise and take small, incremental wins, and when to refuse compromise?
I will not compromise when an unethical situation is presented. I will lead through a collaborative approach that is driven by shared values and beliefs that are aligned to doing what is best for all students. If compromise is needed to make progress toward a specific goal or the mission of making Cobb schools the model for educational excellence, then I will accept the small, incremental wins to get that closer to that goal.
There were politicians who questioned the outcomes of Georgia elections in 2018 and 2020. Do you think Georgia’s elections are secure and will you stand by the results?
As was reinforced by the findings of the audits and recounts conducted in the aftermath of the previous elections, I do believe that Georgia’s elections are secure, and I will stand by the results.
In light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on abortion, state law and local enforcement authority will determine access to abortion. If elected, how will you use your authority to influence abortion access or enforcement of abortion restrictions?
Abortion access and enforcement are not in the purview of my role and responsibilities as a local school board member. However, I do support women being able to make their own medical decisions, free of government involvement.