I am dedicated. I taught orchestra in the Rochester Public Schools from 1974 until 2010, when I was elected to the RPS School Board for the first time. As a teacher, I tailored my teaching materials to meet a variety of student needs in order for students to be engaged and successful. As a school board member, it is my duty to thoughtfully approach all decision-making to meet the needs of our diverse student body.

I am a longtime champion of public education and the ability of the arts to provide students with opportunities to become their best selves. Participation in the arts provides chances for students to build relationships, engage in meaningful experiences, learn critical thinking skills, and develop empathy for others by expressing their humanity.

I am dedicated to the arts as part of a strong educational foundation, as they allow students to become their best selves. I am dedicated to our students, who are the future of our community. I am dedicated to our community, which has made me proud to call Rochester my home.

I am experienced.  During my 36 years of teaching, I have had ample opportunities to work with diverse groups of students as well as to gain knowledge of subject matter and best practices in teaching.

As an RPS School Board member, I continuously engage in professional school board development through the Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA), the National School Board Association (NSBA), and RPS District workshops. As an elected member of the MSBA delegate assembly, I aid my school board colleagues from across the state in reviewing and developing policies for submission to the Minnesota Legislature. These associations allow me to bring my thorough understanding of education and my knowledge of our district to a broader audience, so I may better help our students in Rochester. In January, 2020, a colleague and I presented a session at the MSBA State Conference on "How to Run a School Board Academy.”

After years of lobbying for its formation, a colleague and I developed a document necessary for the formation of the Legislative Committee of the RPS School Board; the committee was unanimously approved by the Board this past year. This committee worked with the superintendent and cabinet members to develop an agenda for the 2022 legislative session, which includes stabilizing the education funding system, finding better ways to measure and support students living in poverty, laying the groundwork for sustaining PTECH, and urging the Minnesota Legislature to expand funding to full-service community schools.

My appointment to the Perpich Center for Arts Education (PCAE) Board of Directors by Governor Dayton in 2016 and my reappointment by Governor Walz in 2020 allow me to ensure the needs of our schools and our community are heard by a statewide agency. The PCAE provides resources and education to arts educators across Minnesota, maintains an extensive arts library for Minnesota residents, and offers a statewide two-year high school for students who excel in the arts. I have served as the agency chair for two years.

I am present. I have always valued teamwork, the desire to forge relationships, and the ability to consider multiple perspectives; these skills are essential for students and the adults who teach them. Since 1974, I have been fortunate in developing lifelong friendships with members of the community and our brilliant RPS alumni.

During my service as a School Board member, I have acquired a wealth of experience, knowledge, and understanding of policy, process, and our district. This experience is reflected in the way I speak up for the needs of our students and our community. Aside from teaching, I have been involved in many musical activities throughout our community and our region. I was a charter founder of SEMYO, I performed for over 20 years in the Rochester Orchestra, and I maintain a private teaching studio.

My work on the Rochester School Board continues to connect me with educators, parents, and community members. My worldview continues to broaden as our community grows more diverse and more inclusive.

I would be honored to have your vote on Nov. 8, 2022. We all do better together!