To inform readers about the candidates seeking their votes on the November ballot, the San Antonio Report asked all candidates to answer the following questions. We edited answers for clarity, not substance or grammar, and we did not fact-check responses. We restricted responses to 200 words for each question.
Read other candidates’ answers here.
Position sought:
State Board of Education, District 5
Party:
Republican
Incumbent?
No.
Link to campaign website:
Age:
61
What is your educational background? Where did you go to school growing up and what is the highest level of education you completed?
I was raised as a military dependent. I attended a total of 8 different schools from Kindergarten through high school.
If you have completed higher education, what degrees or certifications have you earned and from where? In what years did you complete these degrees or certifications?
I have a Bachelor of Education from Baylor University and a Master of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Baylor University.
What is your current occupation, employer, and job title?
Speech-Language Pathologist, Northside ISD
List any previous elected offices that you held and the term you held that office. List any elected offices you sought and the years you sought those offices.
Republican Precinct Chair 2012- 2019
Why do you feel you are the best candidate for the office you are seeking?
I have spent my life serving Texas pre K- 12 students, including working in inner city and suburban schools. I am a passionate champion for children with autism and will bring my expertise in this area to the board.
What three issues do you feel are most important to your constituents?
Based on conversations with Texas parents and educators 1. fix our broken standardized testing system. 2. make sure parental rights are protected, 3. Limit educator workload so there is more time spent teaching than documenting.
If you are elected, what will be your top priorities once you take office?
Ensure curriculum standards are historically and scientifically accurate and age appropriate, keep politics out of the classroom and promote critical thinking skills.
For incumbents: What accomplishments are you most proud of during your time in office? Is there any vote or decision you would change now looking back?
N/A
For non-incumbents: Would you do anything differently from the current representative holding the office you’re seeking?
I will advocate for students with special needs. I will be available to listen and speak with Texas educators, school board members, and superintendents as well as Texas parents.
How do you assess State education systems’ performance during the pandemic and the way they served students?
I believe the majority of Texas educators demonstrated flexibility, ingenuity and commitment to students. Responses to the school closures varied district to district and were impacted by students’ accessibility to technology and wifi.
How do you plan to work to overcome academic gaps that may have developed or widened during the pandemic?
Once districts have assessed the students’ present levels of academic performance, we need to make sure students gain mastery of the concepts they have missed. Without this, students will have gaps in their learning, which might affect their master of successive concepts.
