Please share why you decided to run for the HSD Board of Education.
I have really enjoyed working with the schools the past few years. With my position on Tatem PTA’s executive board, I had the pleasure of working closely with administration to implement school programs throughout the year. Additionally, working with SEPAG (Special Education Parent Advisory Groups) allowed me to extend initiatives to the other elementary schools and engage with their staff and students. I have gotten a lot of positive feedback as well as constructive criticism, and would really like to continue this work at the district level to bring in my perspective as a PTA member, parent, and Haddonfield resident.
Do you support the district’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and continued compliance with NJ state laws on diversity and inclusion instruction such as the NJ Diversity & Inclusion Law, New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education Curriculum and New Jersey Amistad Commission Education Curriculum and C.18A:35-4.35?
I absolutely and unequivocally support these initiatives. I am the chair for the first DE&I Committee in the district and not only did I find these lessons valuable from before the time that I took this role, I have developed a new appreciation and insight by engaging with community members whose families have been touched by discrimination. I have found that supporting immersive educational experiences for our students fosters organic and genuine understanding for one another. I am not an advocate for tolerance; respect is my goal. This will not just strengthen the fabric of our district, but our society.
Do you support curricular representation of LGBTQ+ perspectives, families, and history in the same age-appropriate and respectful manner that the curriculum represents cisgender and heterosexual perspectives, families, and history? We ask that you sign Unite Against Book Ban’s candidate pledge.
Well, I am waiting for my “Read Banned Books” t-shirt with LaVar Burton, if that helps answer this question! Representation is so fundamental for people to feel valued and know that they matter. I feel that reading books is an effective yet non-confrontational way to bring different perspectives to our students, and allow them to witness the reality for another person or family. Moreover, my previous experience in interfaith work helped me develop skills to connect with people who have different beliefs and practices than me, because we were still able to meet on our common values.
Do you support our district’s continued compliance with all New Jersey Student Learning Standards, including the comprehensive health education standards?
Yes. I believe that it is empowering for a person to understand themselves and this will help our children be better students and citizens in the end. This goes for everything from knowing their learning style to how to regulate themselves if flooded with emotions. Knowing how to care for themselves mentally and physically will allow them to be confident in their identity. I feel this is especially true as students are now exposed to and influenced by social media. If they are grounded in who they are and grow in a supportive environment, they are more likely to thrive.
Do you support the district’s focus on Social Emotional Learning?
Yes, and I really appreciate the district’s attention to this. Our goal as a district, should not be for our students to simply get good grades. We should encourage our children’s overall growth to produce responsible and compassionate citizens, that will be a more accurate measure of our success as an educational system. Focusing on our student’s social and emotional well-being as they grow will help them navigate their own struggles, give them healthy ways to cope with any obstacles that they come across and ultimately, become the leaders we need in today’s world.
Is there anything else would you like voters to know about you?
I am trying to be the parent, friend, and advocate I wish I had, and I hope you trust me to help our students and community reach their highest potential!
Please feel free to additionally share any links to candidate information that you would like us to include. The answers to these questions may be shared in conjunction with existing campaign materials and other statements made on public record.
Forthcoming, hope I can provide these for you tomorrow!