A Little About Me

I'm a 2003 graduate of NHS, daughter of a former teacher and a former student, parent to six kids at the K8, as well as a child care provider to dozens of children in the district over the past 10+ years. I was born here, attended NVSD from kindergarten thro

ugh graduation, and I've lived most of my adult life inside Nestucca's district boundaries as well. I've also spent some time living in McMinnville, Salem and Oregon City, which really helped open my perspective on life outside of Tillamook County.

While I was a NVSD student, I was involved in many different extra-curriculars, including basketball, track and field, speech, the National Honor Society, Odyssey of the Mind, tutoring younger students in Spanish/English and band, and participating in the spring musicals as both an on-stage performer and orchestra member.

I've been an active parent since my kids started preschool, as Chair of the Parent Committee while the attended Head Start, routinely volunteering to chaperon on field trips, and taking on what classroom projects and teacher assistance I can while working from home. Prior to becoming a board member in November 2023, I was on both the Budget and the Health Committees. In addition, I frequently join the pep band to cheer on Nestucca's athletes, and play in the orchestra for the spring musicals.

I was raised in a conservative, Christian household, with what many would feel at the time to be typical south county expectations. However, I have long been considered the "rainbow sheep" of the family, as an openly queer woman. As such, I can see both sides of many issues that come up, and have connections to people in both conservative and more progressive circles, and deeply understand the need to be inclusive and have equality and fairness in the decisions made regarding the school district.

It was honestly a challenge for me in some ways to return to my hometown after living elsewhere, because of all that life in the "big city" can offer, but you can NEVER beat the community and people here. I have not once regretted returning to my roots, and I have been thrilled to raise my kids here, where I know they will be cared for with the "it takes a village" mindset that I believe in so strongly. I am well known for being passionate about advocating for children and educators, both as a parent and a child care provider. Children's safety, mental and physical health, education, and general well being are always at the forefront of my mind and are what I have based my decisions on as a current board member.

In spite of the negative attention around the district over the past several months, I still firmly believe Nestucca to be one of the best districts a child could attend. Is it perfect? No, but I have a genuine appreciation for how open-minded and willing we are to change the things that need changed, like improving transparency and communication between the school and community.

I believe the board needs members who know the school and community well, who are active in the community in various ways, who are open-minded enough to listen to and appreciate the many different opinions present in our district, and who are truly able to understand the uniqueness of Nestucca's culture, students, families, and faculty. I feel my history here, combined with my personality, life experience, and the current roles I hold have given me the ability to bring all those skills to the table.

I want to be able to continue making a positive difference, putting my unique experiences, perspectives, and passions to their best use in Nestucca's schools!