Get to Know Me

I am entering the political arena for the first time this election cycle, and I am running for the 93rd House District seat that is currently held by Jason Stephens (R).  The 93rd District includes Jackson, Gallia, and Lawrence counties. 

I am an American Government teacher at Jackson High School, and I previously taught middle school English within the Jackson City School District.  I am currently the president of the Jackson City Education Association (JCEA), the Jackson County Representative to the Southeastern Ohio Education Association (SEOEA), and a member of the Board of Directors for the Ohio Education Association (OEA).  My political involvement includes coordinating a protest focused on US Representative Dave Taylor’s stance on federal funding for public education, organizing a rally to support fully funding public education, and participating in lobby days at the Ohio Statehouse that were sponsored by OEA.  I decided to run for office after seeing how my school district and other school districts in the 93rd District are being negatively affected by the decisions of state legislators, and I believe I can make a difference as the district’s representative.

Aside from my involvement in public education, I have also worked in the agricultural industry and in the customer service field in the residential relocation industry.  This additional experience allows me to recognize multiple areas in our district where improvements can be made.  My customer service expertise has allowed me to develop effective communication skills that will benefit everyone I interact with.

I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from The Ohio State University in 2004, and a Master of Education degree in Middle Childhood Education from The Ohio University in 2016.  I hold professional licensures with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce in Middle Childhood Social Studies and English Language Arts, and Adolescent/Young Adult Integrated Social Studies.

I reside in northern Jackson County farm with my husband, Melvin, and our daughter, Sarah.  I also have an adult daughter, Lauren, and a grandson.  My husband runs a commercial cow/calf operation on land that was originally part of the family farm that dates to the mid-1800’s.  I am active in my church, Grace Baptist Fellowship, in Wellston, where I enjoy singing in the choir.