Mercer Island School District is at a time of great change: a superintendent search, looming budget concerns, and teacher contract negotiations. We need leaders who are committed to our vision to serve all students, to hear and balance many voices, and to make the right decisions.

I'm running for school board to put my qualifications and values to work for the wonderful community in which I grew up and where my husband and I have chosen to raise our own daughter.

I have spent 17 years advocating for children and families in the legal system. I listen carefully, know every child has unique needs, consider all viewpoints, solve challenging problems with few resources and don't shy away from making critical, life-changing decisions.

The Mercer Island community, our families, and our kids expect and deserve the best outcomes, and I am committed to building on our very successful history.

Mercer Island schools are at a crossroads.  With changes to state funding and the retirement of our superintendent, we have an opportunity for growth.  I envision a student-first culture that celebrates equity and diversity.  All children are unique and should be given an environment to grow to their best selves.  As an Island community parent, advocate and volunteer, I have demonstrated success in making positive change for over a decade. As a professional, I have been a national leader, local mentor, and adult educator within a global company.  In both my career as a neuroscientist and in my personal life I have continuously worked toward improving the lives of others and I hope to use these experiences to help serve the students, families, and teachers of the Mercer Island School District. To learn more about Growing Mercer Island One Mind at a Time visit dlein4schools.org. 

We here at Mercer Island need a school board of director who is able to ensure a good quality of education with limited state funding. I feel that I would be able to provide that if I were to become a school board of director. I am a doctor in life science, and have gone through the entire track of education. And as a mother of two children, I have initiated and contributed in many school activities. I believe that I can bring new perspectives and uphold the legacy of this district.

My goals for this district are to keep good teachers, strengthen Math and reading in lower grades for better academic performance when they move to high school, introduce more advanced learning opportunities, including more access of AP courses, and bring stronger ELL support for the increasing amount of non-native speakers in the district and better engage their parents.