I grew up in Connecticut, earned a B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis and an M.A. in Teaching from Simmons College, after which I spent twelve years teaching middle school Social Studies in the Newton Public Schools. Throughout my teaching career, I developed many courses and units of study: African American History, Literature and the Blues, and American Women in American History, Community Service Projects In and Out of School, and Knitting. I was on the Teacher Advisory Board of Facing History and Ourselves, a nationally recognized curriculum for teaching tolerance; a Team Leader and Department Chair at Day Junior High School and Bigelow Middle School, where I helped develop benchmarks for middle school Social Studies; and a mentor for new teachers and student teachers.

Since my own children have been in school, I have been an active volunteer in their preschools and elementary school. I have been the co-Chair of the Graham and Parks Steering Committee (School Council) for the last four years, where I have listened hard and long to the concerns of families and staff before voting on decisions that benefit the entire school community.

I am running for School Committee because the Cambridge Public Schools needs leaders who are committed to excellent public schools and understands public schools. I will continue to listen hard and long to families and work as a team with fellow School Committee members. I will work to build a positive culture that values what is working and will fix what is not working. All children must have the chance to become educated and caring citizens. My husband, Tony, and I live in Cambridge because we value its vibrancy and diversity. Public schools are one of the best places where people can learn to work together. The focus must remain on improving our schools.