My Background
CUSD Parent | Communications Professional | Advocate
As the former editor of the Claremont Courier, I take an analytical approach to governance as someone who has decades of experience with meeting laws, funding & budgets, Ed Code and understanding the value of process. I grew up in Claremont, attended CUSD schools and have institutional knowledge as a community member, parent and through deep research and reporting.
Today, as communications director for the Claremont Village Marketing Group, I oversee community events like the monthly Art Walk and Holiday Promenade working collaboratively with local business owners, city leaders and the Claremont Chamber of Commerce to ensure that our city can grow while preserving its unique identity. Other professional clients include Claremont Graduate University, United Nations Global Compact, The Rembrandt Club of Pomona College, and Ourco Inc.
As president of the Baldy View Regional Occupational Program Commission, I believe career-tech ed learning opportunities must be expanded to appeal to different learners and to meet a competitive job market. We must ensure that students aren't only "college ready," but that they are "career ready." Through robust career exploration and support, students can decide not only what they want to be when they grow up, but also how through nurturing durable skills such as effective communication, critical thinking and problem-solving.
For the last four years, I have represented CUSD in Washington D.C. with the California School Boards Association to advocate for sensible funding, support for special education and to fix legislative systems that are working against efficiency in public schools. We need more discretionary spending and less reporting requirements so that CUSD administrators can focus on student programs and staff development instead of spending their days filling out reports.
Appropriate funding for special education is not only a sound financial decision but should be a moral imperative for state and federal legislators. It costs more to educate students with disabilities—these costs should not be left to public school districts who are already operating on dwindling and unstable general fund dollars.
As a parent, I have more than 20 years of experience serving on an IEP team, working collaboratively with Claremont Unified staff to balance my child's needs with entitlements by law. I previously served on the hiring panel for the CUSD special education director. Students on an IEP or 504 Plan are one of the fastest growing subgroups in our district—up to 18% this year. Students with disabilities and the Claremont SPED staff deserve and need a voice on the board. I am that voice.
My sons attended Sycamore and Oakmont, with SPED experiences at Mountain View, Vista del Valle, Condit and Sumner-Danbury. This exposure to so many district campuses provides a deep affection and belief in school choice. I strongly support development of individual school identities and cultures to meet the philosophies and preferences of the families who elect to enroll there.
