How can the community be confident in your commitment to protecting and expanding our progressive educational models?

TL;DR: A tax-funded initiative, like public schools, cannot be successful without community trust. We must recognize that previous decisions and communication mishaps have eroded that trust. My unwavering promise to protect progressive education is proven by my 15+ years of commitment to this philosophy.

This is a vital question because that fear is rooted in our district's history. When we lose innovative programs like the IB program in our middle schools and the Community School at our high school, we don't just lose a curriculum; we risk losing the community's trust. When our district launched the review of Progressive Education, I articulated this concern to our superintendent so that extra attention could be given to the way we communicated the review. My support for progressive education isn't a recent development or an opportunistic political talking point; it's the very reason my family is part of this community, and my commitment to protecting it is proven and deeply personal.

My journey with this educational philosophy began long before I ever considered running for office. In 2010, with a one-year-old at home, I volunteered to coach with Girls on the Run. I was randomly assigned to Wickliffe, and I was immediately struck by how its progressive, child-centered environment mirrored the Reggio Emilia-inspired daycare my own children attended. It was a model that nurtured not just academics, but a child’s innate curiosity, creativity, and sense of self.

We weren't living in UA at the time, but that experience was so profound that we made it our goal to move here specifically so our children could attend Wickliffe. Our eight years in that building were some of our family’s happiest, and they cemented my conviction that this approach is a powerful way to prepare children to be lifelong learners and resilient, joyful adults. My support for progressive education isn't performative; it’s woven into the fabric of my family's story. It is the foundation of my work on this board and my unwavering promise to our community.