My Message
I have been the school board director for Delta County School District, District 5 (Paonia, Crawford and surrounding area) for 4 years and I’m asking for your vote for a second term.
Children need so much from their family and the community. They have a lot to learn and just a few years to get ready for the rest of their lives. I want kids to be life-ready when they graduate, ready to hit the ground running and be a success at whatever they choose to do. That means making sure they have critical thinking skills as well as manual competency (writing, building, fixing, making-skills). Teaching is so much more than rote names and dates, it’s problem solving, researching and learning empathy and common social values.
Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.
— Margaret Mead
Background
With a Master of Science degree in biology (Dipl. Biol. from Hannover University, Germany) and an Master of Business Administration from CU Denver, I bring a number of skill sets to my role as school board director. Financial acuity, and a solid science background help me see the forest and the trees.
As a fourth degree black belt, teaching kids karate for 17 plus years, I have had daily interaction with kids’ dreams and needs. Also, as a business owner immersed in retail, I have gained experience managing both the financial side and the people side of business.
Experience
Four years in the trenches with the Delta County School District has taught me quite a bit. I learned how to read government budgets and decipher their meanings. I regularly tour all our schools (there’s 15 of them) in all five communities we serve. I learned how critical issues are handled and how to write policy. I am open to criticism and comments from our constituents and regularly field emails and phone calls. I attend awards ceremonies, graduations, plays, music, spelling bees and other fun stuff (seriously, keep inviting me to those spelling bees!)
Leadership
While on the school board, I have had the opportunity to deepen my leadership and management skills. Being part of a large organization, such as a school district, is different from running your own business. Consensus must be reached, research and debate are common, and persuasion is often tried as well. It is just as important to know when the decision isn’t going to be what you want, but it is what the constituents want. At that time, gracefully accepting the outcome and being a team player is necessary.
My experience as president of our local Home Owners Association in Hidden Valley has also made me a better group leader, navigating open space use, dues increases or just being neighborly.
And finally, being a nationally rated, USANKF karate referee has taught me to ground my work by knowing the rules inside and out. It taught me to stand up for my calls and decisions, and to take criticism from higher rated referees and apply their instruction with a good will. All of this has taught me that listening is more important than being heard.
Platform
Support Strong Teachers
Maintain competitive pay and benefits, prioritize teacher retention, and promote a culture of respect and collaboration.
Focus on Student Success
Strengthen academics while expanding hands-on and technical learning through the Technical College of the Rockies and other pathways.
Protect Local Schools
Keep a school presence in every community, recognizing that schools are the heart of small towns.
Use Funds Wisely
Make data-driven, transparent budget decisions; pursue grants and partnerships before turning to local tax increases.
Enhance Safety and Wellbeing
Continue improvements to secure entrances, mental-health counseling, and positive school culture initiatives.
Encourage Parent & Community Involvement
Foster open communication, family engagement, and shared responsibility for student growth.
Plan for the Future
Maintain facility upgrades proactively, track enrollment trends, and plan strategically for long-term stability.