Pitt County Board of Education District 7

What is your current job and title?

I’m a stay-at-home mom with three beautiful children and I have been married to my college sweetheart for 20 years.

What is your highest level of education?

I went to NBC, formerly known as NEBST. I graduated with an associate's degree in Church Ministry.

If you're elected or re-elected, what will be your top priority? Why?

If I am elected, my top priorities will be to make sure our schools are focused on improving our academic standards, to ensure that parents have a greater influence in the schools, and teachers have what they need to do the job they do best, teach.

Why? Our proficiency scores in reading and writing are 40% for most Pitt County schools and 64% in a handful of others. The learning loss caused by the last two years has greatly impacted students and tasked teachers with responsibilities outside of their expertise.

Parents have felt that they have very little input when it comes to what's going on in the classrooms and what is taught through curricula. Also, finances have been diverted to needless administrative positions while teachers are struggling with getting the materials they need. Encouragement of discipline in the classrooms would help create an atmosphere conducive to learning.

If you're elected or re-elected, how will you involve your constituents in the process of making decisions?

I will involve my constituents by advocating that transparency be a priority. We need to have town halls, extend days for open hearings to review the proposed budget. We should upload the proposed budget and curricula on the website for easy access. I will make sure I continue to engage with the community on a one-on-one basis. I want to continue meeting with teachers to understand what the needs are in the classrooms so we can have more clarity on how to write policy, etc. We need to have more parental engagement and input.

Why should voters choose you for the position you're running for?

I value and cherish the Judeo- Biblical principles our country was founded on. My grandfather came legally to this country because he believed in the American dream. He believed, like I do, that if you set your mind to achieve, regardless of country of origin or skin color, you can! I have homeschooled my children for 14 years and I know what a good education looks like. I have handpicked curricula according to the educational needs of my children. I can appreciate that there are different types of learners and there aren't any cookie-cutter recipes in education. Each child is an individual with different abilities, talents and strengths.

I also have invested in my community, whether it was through volunteering for the after-school program at Third Street Academy and also, as a client advocate at the Carolina Pregnancy Center.

Which three things about you do you most want voters to know?

• I love to serve, in whatever capacity I get to serve. Our schools need more servant leadership. 
• I will listen to differing viewpoints. I hold fast to my principles, but I’m always open to learning. 
• I am persistent. Those who know me know that I don’t easily give up. I will fight for our students to have what they deserve: a solid education. 

Is there anything else about you that you wish to tell voters?

I was born in America but at 8 years old I moved to the Dominican Republic, a beautiful island but a third world country. Very impoverished. There were a lot of socialist elements in DR and moving up the ladder was difficult, even if you worked hard. I have a deep appreciation for the American model. Success is not meant for just a few in this country but it is available to all. If you have a vision and you work toward it, you will be successful. I want to bring this kind of attitude to our students -- a victor’s mindset, not a victim’s mindset. We have an amazing heritage because of our founding documents. That's the perspective that needs to be promoted in the schools.

What is your current job and title?

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist, currently working at ECU as a staff counselor at the ECU Center for Counseling and Student Development.

What is your highest level of education?

Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy

If you're elected or re-elected, what will be your top priority? Why?

My top priorities as a member of the Pitt County Board of Education focus on supporting teachers, maintaining and improving facilities, and encouraging collaboration among all involved in public education, including local and state elected officials, school administrators, teachers, students, parents, and community members.

When our teachers are supported, our students will be well taken care of. When our facilities are maintained, everyone inside those buildings feels safe and valued and is able to operate at their optimum capacity. When all involved collaborate, our community thrives because each person sees that their role is important to the success of not only students, but each and every piece of our thriving community.

If you're elected or re-elected, how will you involve your constituents in the process of making decisions?

Meeting and having meaningful conversations with constituents has been the best part of campaigning. I value each person’s experiences, challenges, successes, and concerns. I will continue to be present at local events, the schools, and in the community. I want to know what is important to the people that I represent. Their ideas and needs, along with facts and research, should all be taken into consideration as policies and procedures that affect our schools are discussed.

Why should voters choose you for the position you're running for?

I am from Pitt County, I graduated from Pitt County Schools, and my children attend Pitt County Schools. I am invested in this community! I see the importance of collaboration, and I am willing to have difficult conversations in order to make decisions that are best for the students and staff of Pitt County Schools. I have learned so much about what is going on in our schools by showing up, being engaged, and supporting the work that is being done. I am a parent representative on the School Improvement Team at my children’s school, an active member of the PTA, and a graduate of the Parent Engagement Program with Parents for Public Schools of Pitt County.

Which three things about you do you most want voters to know?

Good things are happening in our schools, and I truly believe in the work of our schools, and the incredible impact of our public schools on the entire community.

I show up and will continue to show up to lead and serve in Pitt County Schools.

This work cannot be done alone. I want to work collaboratively with my fellow board members, teachers, administrators, students, parents, and community members to best serve the students of Pitt County.

Is there anything else about you that you wish to tell voters?

I am not running for Pitt County Board of Education because of my children, I am running because of ALL of the children in Pitt County. Schools, ALL public schools, should meet the needs of each child so that they are able to achieve academic success. I am running for Board of Education to ensure that I am doing my part to make our schools the strongest they can be for each child in Pitt County.