I’m running for School Board to support students, to serve parents better, and to ensure our schools are places where all students succeed. Our schools must do more to include the diverse students and families that make up our city.

As a Chippewa Cree tribal member, housing commissioner, and LGBTQ community advocate, I’ve witnessed the value of inclusive decision-making. As a Braille teacher, I have opened and operated a library during my time in the Peace Corps. As I meet with parents and students around the district, I’m told time and again how they feel ignored and their requests go unanswered. I’ll be their voice and your champion on the Seattle School Board. We need innovative and comprehensive solutions to address the achievement and opportunity gaps. I’ll invest in programs that accommodate diverse student needs like IB programs, strengthened special education, individualized instruction, and positive behavioral intervention.

We must protect public education. Unlike other candidates in this race, I’m staunchly opposed to charter schools. Giving parents more choice and control doesn’t mean we need to drain resources from public schools. I’ll push the legislature to do more for education and invest more in our students and teachers.  To foster a productive learning environment for our students, we have a responsibility to ensure Seattle Public Schools are safe, welcoming, and inclusive. Improving the pathways to success for disproportionately impacted students like students of color, LGBTQ students, students experiencing homelessness or housing instability, students with disabilities, and undocumented students will greatly improve the future success of all.

I’m proudly endorsed by the 43rd District Democrats, The Stranger, Seattle Education Association, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Speaker Chopp, Rep. Nicole Macri, Seattle School Board member Jill Geary, Councilmember Debora Juarez, Councilmember Tim Burgess, and Councilmember Rob Johnson, Sheriff John Urquhart, former PTA President Marina Gray.

The 55,000 students of Seattle Public Schools are our city’s future, and our schools must equip them to tackle the social challenges of our day, like income inequality and housing affordability.

Many Seattle students have access to excellent schools, but not all students are so fortunate.  I'm running for Seattle School Board so that all students receive a world-class education.  I have the experience and the record to achieve this vision.

* Teacher. Taught math at a large public high school for six years (AP Calculus, IB Math, Algebra).

* School Leader. Served two years as math department chair and built an AP Calculus program from the ground-up.

* Community Volunteer. Significant education volunteer experience, including serving on the Mayor’s Education Advisory Council, and, like President Obama, service on a public, nonprofit charter board supporting low-income students and students of color.

* Progressive Attorney. Provide pro bono counsel to Seattle education nonprofits and juvenile immigrants.

I’m passionate about education because I grew up on the wrong end of the achievement/opportunity gap.  I was lucky to have key interventions and opportunities, but young people’s future should not turn on luck.  The fight for educational equity and excellence is personal to me.  I’m not running to fulfill political ambitions.

With an annual operating budget of over $750 million, over $1 billion in capital levies, big changes to state funding, and more damage coming from Trump-DeVos, the Seattle School Board needs a leader with financial management skills and strong perspective on the needs of students and educators.

I’m proud to be endorsed by outgoing incumbent District IV director Stephan Blanford and many others.

I hope to earn your vote and be the first Latino on the Seattle School Board.