I’ve fought for the schools that all kids, families, and teachers deserve as a leader with the American Federation of Teachers union, the Maine Department of Education, and as your School Board Chair. Growing up in a dangerous home with parents facing severe addiction and mental health issues, it was my public schools and teachers who made me who I am. I want to make sure those same opportunities exist for every student. 

I’m proud that during my two terms on our School Board and as Chair, we’ve expanded hands-on and outdoor learning opportunities, created the state’s first nature-based pre-k program, strengthened our innovation center, committed to vibrant athletic and performing arts programs, banned phones, and focused on providing students with multiple pathways for them to succeed. I’ll continue to advocate for these investments and policies you and your family deserve – for additional state funding and to fix a funding formula that unfairly burdens coastal communities like ours, for additional investments in Career and Technical Education and the trades, for universal pre-K, and for free community college. I’ll fight to invest in educators and treat teaching like the valued and respected profession it is. 

I’ll also have the backs of our small businesses that are foundational to the economic and overall success of our communities. I want to make it easier for members of our communities to start and sustain small businesses. That means reducing costs and red tape, providing more start up funding, and ensuring nobody has to give up on their dreams because they can’t afford health care. I started a business myself last year, and I want to partner with others on an agenda that supports the small businesses that call our community home.