Address: 349 Golden Ridge Rd, Alna, ME 04535

Occupation: retired elementary teacher (special needs); work part time at Central Lincoln County YMCA

Education: B.S. in Early Childhood Education, M.Ed. in Education in Arts & Learning, graduate coursework in special needs and continuing education to retain certification

Political History (Board, Committees, other): 2023 - present - Alna Roads Committee and Climate Resilience Committee

Clubs/Organizations: 2022-present - Alna Food Pantry, 2022-present - Garden Club of Wiscasset

Considering the office you are running for, what do you feel are the three most pressing issues (350 words or less): I believe that the most pressing issues that face Sheepscot Valley RSU 12 are funding/teacher contracts, local control, and student achievement. Teacher pay is usually one of the biggest drivers of costs in a system, but we need to offer equitable pay to show respect for the hard work that teachers do while balancing the costs to the taxpayers. We are a system with very diverse towns that want to have local control. We have to find ways to honor that while at the same time offering the services and benefits that come with being part of a regional school unit. Finally, we want to be on the cutting edge of best teaching practices so that our students can succeed in school and in life. Both the teachers and administration want what is best for our students, and incorporating programs that offer these best practices with a bottom up approach with initial teacher buy-in and on-going support is very important.

Any other thoughts on why you are running or what you can bring to the office? 150 words or less: The knowledge and experience that I gained in 35 years of teaching give me important insight into what teachers and their support staff need. I have worked closely with administrators, teachers, therapists, and parents to develop the best possible outcomes for their students/children with special needs. These experiences give me the ability to look at a problem from multiple points of view, finding solutions to stubborn issues. I have also been a representative for the teachers in my building, as well as part of the team in contract negotiations, so have an in-depth understanding of the process from the teachers' point of view. I feel that my participation in many different aspects of the educational process will serve me well as a school board member at RSU 12.