A Vision Rooted in Experience
A Future Built for Our Children
When I think about what truly matters to families in the Brandywine School District, I think about the moments that shape our children — the first day of kindergarten, the teacher who saw their potential, the after-school program that sparked a lifelong passion, the safe classroom that felt like a second home.
As a mother of four, a longtime advocate, and former President of New Castle County Council, I’ve spent my life listening to families, solving problems, and fighting for what’s right. I believe every child in our district — no matter where they live or what challenges they face — deserves opportunity, safety, and a strong start.
A Strong Start: Expanding
Early Childhood Education
As a mother, I've witnessed firsthand how early experiences ignite a child's curiosity and set the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Those initial years are pivotal, shaping not only academic success but also social and emotional development. Yet, too many of our youngest learners in the Brandywine School District lack access to high-quality early education—a gap that can have lasting consequences.
Our district offers Early Education Programs for three- and four-year-old children across three dedicated sites: Bush Early Education Center, Brumskill Early Education Center at P.S. duPont, and the Brandywine Early Education Center at Darley Road. These programs are designed to nurture the whole child, emphasizing social-emotional growth, cognitive skills, and physical development through play-based learning.
However, challenges persist. According to the Delaware Department of Education's 2021 report, only 16.88% of preschool-aged children with disabilities in our district were enrolled in regular early childhood programs, falling significantly short of the state target of 50.5%. This indicates a substantial gap in inclusive early education access within our community.
Research consistently shows that children who attend high-quality preschool programs are better prepared for kindergarten, exhibit stronger reading skills, and require fewer interventions later in their academic journey. Investing in early education not only benefits individual children but also strengthens our entire community by reducing future costs associated with remedial education and social services.
As your school board member, I am committed to expanding access to early childhood learning centers across our district. This includes advocating for increased funding, building partnerships with local organizations, and implementing policies that prioritize early education. Every child in the Brandywine School District deserves the opportunity to start their educational journey on solid ground, regardless of their family's socioeconomic status.
Together, we can ensure that all our children have the strong start they need to become lifelong learners and engaged members of our community.
Keeping Our Children Safe —
In Every School, Every Day
As Council President, every school lockdown notification struck me deeply—not just in my role as a leader, but as a mother. I knew the fear those messages sparked because I felt it too. Behind every alert were families holding their breath, waiting, hoping.
The weight of responsibility was immense. School safety isn’t just a professional duty—it’s personal. No parent, and no leader, should have to experience that heart-pounding moment of uncertainty, wondering if their child is safe.
During my time as Co-Chair of the Public Safety Committee, I led efforts that made our communities safer—from securing competitive salaries to strengthen police recruitment and retention, to implementing 9-1-1 video capabilities and equipping EMS teams with life-saving tools. Now, I want to bring that same focus and urgency to the halls of our schools.
The Brandywine School District has shown a clear commitment to protecting students and staff. Its District Success Plan outlines goals to create safe, supportive learning environments. But recent events remind us that we still have work to do.
In the 2022–2023 school year, Brandywine reported 129 alleged bullying incidents—48 of which were substantiated—representing 2.63% of all disciplinary actions, a rate higher than many neighboring districts.
Then, in September 2023, parents at a Brandywine board meeting voiced serious concerns about safety at Springer Middle School, citing bullying and violence that threatened the well-being of both students and staff.
As your school board member, I will fight to ensure every school has strong security protocols, trained safety personnel, and partnerships that prioritize prevention and support. I’ll work to make sure every hallway and classroom is a place of peace, where students can focus on growing, not guarding themselves.
Our children deserve more than safe schools—they deserve to feel safe in them. Together, we can make that a reality. Let’s build a future where safety isn’t just promised—it’s delivered.
Supporting Teachers,
Lifting Students
My children’s success didn’t come from a textbook—it came from people.
It came from the teacher who stayed after class to make sure my daughter didn’t fall behind. From the school counselor who saw her, heard her, and gave her the encouragement to believe in herself again. From the staff members who smiled in the hallway when she needed it most. From the janitor who took a moment to check in—because sometimes, that’s all it takes to remind a child they matter.
These people didn’t just do their jobs—they changed my child’s life. And I will never forget them.
But today, too many of these dedicated professionals are being asked to do more with less. In Brandywine, our teachers face rising classroom demands and limited resources. Counselors are overburdened, support staff stretched thin, and essential workers like custodians and food service staff often overlooked—despite the vital role they play in creating safe, welcoming environments for our children.
In November 2024, nearly 100 Brandywine educators walked out of a board meeting—not in anger, but in desperation. They were asking to be heard. They were asking for the tools to do the job they love—and to do it well.
As President of County Council, I managed hundreds of millions of dollars without ever voting to raise taxes. But I always fought for what mattered—strong communities, safe schools, and the people who hold them together. I know how to build budgets that protect what we value most.
As your school board member, I will fight to:
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Lower class sizes so teachers can give students the attention they need
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Provide up-to-date materials, technology, and resources for every classroom
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Expand mental health support by hiring more counselors and social workers
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Ensure fair wages, professional development, and respect for all staff—from teachers to custodians
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Create a culture where everyone in our schools feels seen, valued, and supported
Because when we lift up our teachers—and everyone who makes learning possible—we lift up every student in our district.
Let’s stand beside the people who show up for our kids every day. Let’s give them the resources, respect, and recognition they deserve. Because our children are watching—and learning from us.
Raising Academic Performance
with Equity and Excellence
I’ve seen what it looks like when a child begins to believe in themselves — when the fear of “not being good enough” fades, and the light of understanding takes its place. Sometimes, all it takes is the right book, the right teacher, or just someone who doesn’t give up on them.
But I’ve also seen the heartbreak. The child who’s bright but struggling, sitting silently while others move ahead. The parent who lies awake at night, wondering how to help. The teacher stretched thin, trying to meet every need with not enough time, not enough support.
This is why I’m running.
Because raising academic performance isn’t about pushing every child through the same mold — it’s about creating space for every child to thrive. That means strong literacy programs, support for learning differences, resources that meet kids where they are, and classrooms built on understanding, not pressure.
With years of experience in government and advocacy, I know how to build smart, compassionate policies. But more importantly, I know what it’s like to care deeply for a child and worry the system might fail them.
No child should be overlooked. No parent should feel alone. No teacher should have to carry it all on their own.
We can raise outcomes — by raising up people. One child, one classroom, one caring decision at a time.
Real Community Voice
and Transparency
I’ve sat in rooms where parents felt ignored. I’ve listened to teachers who said their voices were missing. I’ve met families who wanted to speak up but didn’t know where to start—or if anyone would even listen.
That’s why this matters to me so deeply.
Transparency isn’t just a principle I talk about—it’s how I’ve lived my public service. As a board member of Delaware Common Cause and co-founder of the Coalition for Open Government, I’ve spent years making sure decisions are made with communities, not for them behind closed doors.
And when I served as President of New Castle County Council, I didn’t just lead meetings—I made sure every voice was heard. I made myself available seven days a week, because that’s what real leadership requires: being present, being accessible, and truly listening.
Because people deserve to be part of the process—especially when it comes to their children’s education.
On the School Board, I’ll fight to make sure every meeting is open and accessible. I’ll push for decisions to be explained in plain language. And most of all, I’ll make sure that parents, teachers, and students don’t just have a seat at the table—they’re heard at it.
When people feel seen, respected, and informed, trust is built—and when trust is built, real change can happen.
Enriching Learning
Through STEAM: Integrating
Arts Into STEM Education
I still remember the moment my high school art teacher handed me a paintbrush and said, “You have something special.” That small act of encouragement changed the course of my life. It gave me the confidence to believe in my creativity—and in myself.
That belief carried me to Moore College of Art & Design, where I began my academic journey on a scholarship, majoring in Fine Arts. Surrounded by color, ideas, and innovation, I learned more than just technique—I learned how to think differently. That foundation has stayed with me ever since. It’s shaped how I lead, how I solve problems, and how I see the potential in every child.
I’ve witnessed the power of that spark in students, too. I’ve seen it in the wide eyes of a child who built their first robot, in the quiet pride of a student who took the stage for the very first time, and in the joy of discovery when learning finally feels personal. These are the moments that ignite lifelong curiosity—and they happen when we blend science with creativity, math with music, and innovation with imagination.
Integrating the arts into STEM education—creating STEAM—doesn’t just make school more engaging. It changes outcomes. Studies show that music education can strengthen mathematical skills, and visual arts can boost problem-solving and spatial reasoning. When we give students access to both the analytical and the creative, we open more doors for them to walk through.
But far too many children, especially in underserved schools, are missing out on these life-changing opportunities. That’s why I’m committed to expanding access to STEM, robotics, music, and the arts throughout our district.
Because every child deserves the chance to discover what lights them up—and when we nurture that light, we don’t just prepare them for success in school. We prepare them for life.
Equipping Our Students
for an AI-Driven Future
I’ve watched my children grow up in a world where technology moves faster than we ever imagined. I’ve seen them stumble through new apps, struggle with unfamiliar tools—and then suddenly, something clicks. The hesitation turns to confidence. The confusion becomes curiosity. And just like that, they’re teaching me something new.
That’s the thing about kids: when we give them the right support, they don’t just catch up—they take off. I’ve seen it happen again and again. What starts as frustration often becomes resilience. And with time, encouragement, and the right tools, that struggle turns into strength.
Now, we’re standing on the edge of something even bigger.
Artificial Intelligence isn’t just coming—it’s already here. It’s transforming how we live, how we work, and how we connect with the world around us. And while it opens exciting new doors, it also brings serious questions. How do we prepare our students not just to use AI, but to understand it? To question it, guide it, and use it with purpose and responsibility?
The Delaware Department of Education is beginning to lay the groundwork, focusing on ethics, equity, and safety. And while Brandywine’s technology team is moving in the right direction, we can—and must—go further.
As a school board member, I’ll fight to make sure every student, in every school, learns what AI is and what it means. From the youngest learners exploring basic coding concepts to high schoolers tackling real-world applications, our children deserve a curriculum that prepares them for a future powered by innovation.
That means giving our teachers the training and support they need to feel confident in the classroom. It means partnering with colleges, tech leaders, and local businesses to connect learning with real-world pathways. And it means helping students build not just technical knowledge—but the critical thinking, creativity, and ethical awareness that will help them thrive in a world we’re only beginning to imagine.
Because this isn’t just about staying current with technology. It’s about giving every child the chance to succeed in the future—no matter where they come from or what challenges they face.
Let’s give our students the tools to lead, not just follow, in an AI-driven world.
Budget Stewardship:
Experience You Can Trust.
Values You Can Count On.
Budgets aren’t just about numbers—they’re about choices, values, and trust.
As a mother of four, I know what it means to stretch a dollar and make every cent count. I’ve balanced household budgets through good times and hard ones, always making sure my children had what they needed to grow and succeed. That same mindset has guided me as a public servant.
For eight years, I served as President of New Castle County Council, overseeing nearly $3 billion in budgets—from $255 million in FY2016 to more than $342 million in FY2025. I helped manage these public dollars through a pandemic, economic uncertainty, and changing needs—without ever voting to raise taxes. Instead, I focused on protecting essential services, supporting working families, and ensuring every dollar served the public good.
Now, I want to bring that same commitment to the Brandywine School Board.
This year, the Brandywine School District is operating on a $257.7 million budget, serving more than 10,000 students. That budget includes increased state support for special education and student services—but also comes with serious challenges. We’re projected to end the year $1.3 million short of our local fund balance target. That shortfall puts pressure on the very resources our schools depend on every day.
In February, voters approved a phased-in tax increase—because our community believes in our children and wants to invest in their future. Now, it’s our job to make sure every dollar of that investment is used wisely, responsibly, and transparently.
If elected, I will:
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Prioritize students, teachers, and classrooms in every budget decision.
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Make financial decisions that are clear, transparent, and community-centered.
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Protect our emergency reserves for real emergencies—just like we do at home.
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Plan ahead, with an eye on long-term fiscal health, capital needs, and equity.
Budgets tell a story—of what we value and how we lead. I’ll bring to the Brandywine School Board the same experience, accountability, and compassion that I’ve brought to my public service career and to my own family.
Because this is about more than dollars.
It’s about our children’s future.
It’s about our community’s trust.
And it’s about making sure every student has the opportunity to thrive.