Pitt County Board of Education

Your current job and title:

Retired Educator

Your highest level of education:

1978 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Fayetteville State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education

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

My top priority is always ensuring that students and teachers have what they need to thrive. Every decision I make is grounded in their well‑being, their success, and the strength of our classrooms. I take the responsibility of serving this community very seriously and staying present in our schools,
listening to educators and collaborating with fellow board members will
continue to guide my work.

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

If I am re-elected, I remain committed to putting students and teachers first in every decision I make. Serving this community is a responsibility I hold with deep respect. Visiting schools, engaging with colleagues, and staying closely connected to the work happening across our district will always be among my highest priorities.

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

I have been on the board for a partial and one full term. I can also relate to being a Pitt County Schools student, parent and teacher. I have faithfully served my constituents during my tenure by committing my time, energy and experience into making a positive impact on local education, student
success and teacher support.

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

· I have the aptitude for this position. Having been an educator for over 48 years, I am knowledgeable about
academic structure and policies. I continue to spend time in classrooms, and I interact with students and school staff and families. I am confident that I make informed decisions that benefit our school system.

· I have the attitude for this position. I represent my district and use opportunities to interact with them and understand their concerns. I am flexible and have good rapport with the public.

· I am strongly committed to Pitt County Schools as evidenced by my work ethic, involvement with school
activities, and collaboration with fellow board members and my constituents.

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

As an educator, I have been committed to making a difference in the lives of the students I serve. My educational background qualifies me for this position as a team player and consensus builder who contributes to the mission of the Board. I desire to continue to work collaboratively with others in advocating and making effective policies to improve and sustain quality
education in Pitt County for students and teachers. I will continue to engage with parents and friends of education while sharing my belief in “Success for All.”

Your current job and title:

Principal Consultant for Health Management Associates and Behavioral Health Provider for
Kinetic Physical Therapy and Wellness Clinic

Your highest level of education?

Doctoral Degree

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

My top priority is to continue improving educational opportunities for every student while supporting and retaining the outstanding teachers and staff who make
student success possible. I also want to strengthen partnerships with families
because students do their best when schools and families work together.

I first ran for the board because I believe every child deserves access to a high-quality public education. During my first term, I learned that the best decisions start
with listening. That means spending time in our schools, hearing directly from students, parents, teachers and administrators, and understanding the unique
needs of each school community before making decisions.

One area that is especially important to me is supporting our exceptional children and
their families. They deserve to be heard, have access to the services they need, and have every opportunity to reach their full potential. I will continue working to make thoughtful, responsible decisions that strengthen Pitt County Schools.

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

Listening has been one of my priorities since my first day on the board, and it will continue to guide how I serve.

I regularly attend school events and community activities throughout the district. I also meet with principals, teachers, parents and students because those
conversations help me understand what's working, where we can improve, and how Board decisions affect our schools.

I participated in the superintendent's listening tour to hear directly from each
school community about its successes, challenges and opportunities. As the board
representative for Creekside Elementary, W.H. Robinson Elementary, A.B. Cox Middle School, and South Central High School, I make it a priority to visit those schools, attend their events, and build relationships with their
students, staff and families.

I want people to know they can reach out to me. Being accessible, listening with an
open mind, and considering different perspectives are essential to making informed decisions.

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

Over the past four years, I have demonstrated my commitment by showing up, listening, and doing the work. I have attended every Board meeting, work session, and
retreat because I believe every decision deserves careful preparation and thoughtful consideration.

I helped launch PCS Engage, a district committee that supports PTAs, PTOs and
Academic Advisory Councils across Pitt County Schools. Through that work, we've
helped schools establish parent organizations where they didn't previously exist and connected those groups with resources to strengthen family engagement.

I also serve on the Student Health Advisory Council, where I've worked to bring greater attention to student health needs across the district. For the past five years,
I have helped organize a community back-to-school event that serves more than
400 children and families each year by providing free school supplies, sports physicals and dental screenings.

My first term taught me a great deal. I have a better understanding of both the
opportunities and the challenges facing our schools, and I'm ready to build on that experience. I will continue advocating for every student, supporting our teachers, being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars, and working with families and community partners to strengthen Pitt County Schools.

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

· I show up. I believe effective leadership starts with being present. Whether it's a Board meeting, a school
event, a listening session, or a community activity, I make it a priority to be engaged and accessible.

· I listen. I value the perspectives of students, parents, teachers, staff and community members. Some
of the best ideas I've heard have come from taking the time to listen before making decisions.

· I prepare. I attended every Board meeting, work session, and retreat during my first term because our students, educators and taxpayers deserve Board members who come prepared to ask thoughtful questions and make informed decisions.

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

I first ran for the Board of Education because I believe every child deserves access to a high-quality public education, and I wanted to use my experience in healthcare and community service to help strengthen our schools.

Serving on the Pitt County Board of Education has been both rewarding and humbling. Every school I've visited and every conversation I've had with parents, teachers,
students and staff has helped me become a better Board member.

My background in healthcare and community service has reinforced the importance of
collaboration, accountability and service to others. Those values guide my work on the Board every day.

I don't take the responsibility of serving lightly. I would be honored to continue serving
the students, educators and families of Pitt County and would be grateful for the opportunity to earn your vote.

Your current job and title:

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist; Staff Counselor and Group Coordinator at the Center for Counseling and Student Development at ECU

Your highest level of education:

Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy; currently anEdD candidate on track to graduate with EdD in Educational Leadership in May
2027

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

Students and teachers are always my top priority. There are a lot of transitions that our district is managing due to student enrollment and
capacity, reduced funding, and new legislation from the General Assembly. It is
important for our board to keep the work of Pitt County Schools consistently
excellent in the midst of all the challenges and changes ahead. My top priority is ensuring that students across the county have access to innovative academic programs and resources, that teachers are supported in the work that they do every day, and that families are partners in the educational experience of their student.

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

I am present at the schools in my district, as well as schools across the county, regularly. I want to spend time with our leaders, educators and students to learn about their experiences to inform decisions and conversations in the board room. I am always willing to speak to constituents by phone or through email. I have really enjoyed our town halls and listening sessions across the county, and I hope that continues as more important
decisions are being made by county leaders.

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

I am committed to serving our community through the lens of public education. I am a product of Pitt County Schools, and I have students
that attend Pitt County Schools. I see the importance of a quality education, with a system that has informed and passionate leadership, for our students’ present and their future. I want to be a voice for those who do not feel heard
and I want to represent our community with integrity and grit. I will continue to do the good work I have done over the last four years.

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

I believe in public education. I am who I say I am, and I will do what I say I will do. I am in this with you.

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

It has been an honor to serve on the Board of Education these past four years. I have learned so much and I feel even more prepared to
advocate, serve and work for public education. Pitt County Schools is an excellent educational system, and I am honored to continue to serve this community.