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My husband & I raised 7 kids, and have started over again with our 3 year old. Three of our kids benefited from special education services. I have my degree in Social Work with a minor in Indigenous Studies from Bemidji State University in 2013. I’ve worked in child protection for 5 years, children’s mental health for 5 years, and currently as a crisis practitioner for a mobile mental health crisis team. I am a fast learner, and an excellent collaborator. This community was my chosen place when I moved here in 2013, because the schools were exactly what I was looking for for my children. I want to continue to strive to make our schools a place where kids, teachers and families feel safe, heard, and valued.
My first priority will be one that I hope we can all share, our children. Every decision we make as a team should be make with them in our forethought.
Second is teachers. Our teachers spend more time with our kids than anyone else outside of our families. Listening to them and ensuring they can teach our children is of paramount importance.
Third are the families in our community. Nothing can be done without the needs of our families and their support in mind.
When facing declining revenues, as a team my hope would be that the school board would take the needs of students, teachers, and families into consideration with the ultimate consideration for improvement of student educational outcomes. I would listen to input from my constituents, the students, teachers and my fellow board members. Working as a team for the benefit of the community we serve is the ultimate goal in solving budgetary needs.
When my four older kids and I first moved to Detroit Lakes in 2013, we were homeless. I know what it is to struggle. I know what it is to watch your kids with navigate a system that was not designed with them in mind. I know how to navigate through the issues that face our special education students. I know what it is to be the mom of a child who is a minority. I plan to listen to our families who face these challenges and work together to make our schools a place where diversity is honored.
Listening is a skill I am very adept at. I plan to use this skill to engage. I am the person who sends letters, makes phone calls, and sends emails. I will listen to teachers and families in whatever format they choose to engage. I welcome input and love collaboration. We cannot move forward without input from teachers and families.
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As a parent of former and present district students, I have been involved at every level of their education including elementary, middle and high school. Over the last decade, I have been involved in the classroom, school buildings, and community with programs that benefit students. Programs such as Art Masters, Barr Committee, Parent Advisory Board, DLHS Musical Theater program and others. I am a Detroit Lakes native and graduate, and moved back to this area specifically for the DL school district, and want the kids in this community to have the same great educational experience I had. I excel at research and problem solving and always give 150% to anything I commit to. I would be honored to serve our children and the community.
My top priorities would be:
1. Support for and retention of our teachers and education staff
2. Refinement of the academy model at Detroit Lakes High School to create more opportunities for students especially in the area of creative fields
3. Continued Mental Health Support for students and staff
I see these as some of the most critical issues our district is facing at the current time.
This is a tough question to answer without looking at all of the variables at the time this may be happening. It would depend on many factors, but I would work hard to research all facets of the budget and collaborate to find the best possible solution for our students and the district.
There are a lot of students with complex backgrounds in our schools. It is my goal to make the same opportunities available for every student. How specifically I will do that somewhat depends on what role and position I may hold on the board if elected. Programs that benefit students, especially disadvantaged students, such as the free lunch program that is currently in place need to be kept and fought for if in danger of being lost.
As a community member and parent of current students, I already have relationships built with parents and teachers/staff and would work to foster more relationships. It is of utmost importance to be involved and listen to the needs of our community members and staff, so we can better understand their issues and collaborate on solutions. As board members, communication and transparency are essential. All groups need to be heard and feel represented.
As a committed community member and advocate for education and mental health, I bring a unique blend of professional and personal experience. As a former teacher, school counselor, mental health therapist, and now professor, I am well-equipped to address the diverse needs of our students, staff, and families. I am passionate about fostering an education system that prepares our children for the rapidly evolving world, including the integration of AI and its impact on education, an area where I have current expertise. My collaborative approach ensures that the voices of teachers, parents, community members, and students are heard, and my focus on data-driven decision-making would guide our district toward continuous growth and improvement.
If elected, my top priorities will be fiscal responsibility, community collaboration, and mental health access. I will work to ensure our district remains financially stable, using resources wisely to enhance student learning. I’m committed to strong partnerships between the school board, teachers, families, and the broader community. Additionally, I will prioritize expanding access to mental health resources, recognizing their critical role in the well-being of all our students.
I would prioritize protecting classroom instruction, mental health access, and essential services. My strategy would involve asking for a thorough budget review to identify inefficiencies, seeking community input, and exploring alternative funding sources such as grants and 3rd party billing opportunities. I would focus on minimizing the impact on students' learning experiences while ensuring that our most vulnerable populations are not disproportionately affected.
As a mixed-method researcher specializing in health disparities, I recognize the need for evidence-based approaches to address racial and economic gaps. My PhD research found that immersive experiences enhance cultural humility, which is vital for education. I support staff development that includes experiences to better serve our diverse students. By engaging community stakeholders, I aim to implement policies that allocate resources effectively to meet the needs of underrepresented students.
I'm closely connected to our school community with two children currently in the district and having children who have graduated. Being involved in various activities, I hear firsthand about the district's issues and successes. I will establish open communication channels to gather input from teachers and families, ensuring their voices are part of the process. By listening to and incorporating feedback, we can create policies that align with the needs and goals of our community and school.
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Having been involved in education for many years I believe that change comes best while “working with” rather than taking a confrontational approach. On the other hand, I am comfortable asking the uncomfortable questions and expecting solid answers.
When desired results are not achieved, it is usually a result of violating basic principles, or loosing sight of the core mission.
The core mission of our school is to teach academic skills and needed for students to become productive members of American Society, including Reading, Writing, Math, Civics as well preparing for participation in the workforce and independent living.
My decisions will be based on the core mission.
The three things I would set as priorities are:
1. Core academics of math reading, writing, civics
2.Prepping for work ethic and precursory job-related skills
3. Independent living skills such as accessing community services, finances, communication skills, and civic responsibility
I will listen to recommendations from administrators, teachers, parents and community members and consider various options. In addition, asking the difficult and uncomfortable questions and expecting answers. I will then try to determine which options would be consistent with the core mission of our school.
My experience as an Emotional/Behavior Disorders Teacher, foster parent, and involvement with the tribe, has brought me to believe in the “Success Sequence” as a path to overcoming disparities.
The sequence cites that only a 3% chance of living in poverty exists if three things are done.
1. Graduate from high school
2. Upon graduation gets any job
3. Do not have children until married.
The school’s role is to be a support to parents raising their children.
It is the responsibility of the school to educate and not to indoctrinate. As a board member our primary role is to work with the administration. Input from teachers, parents and students is welcome.
One needs to be well informed of various issues that happen in the school, however, as a board member micro-management is not appropriate.
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