My kids are learning in this district right now—not five years ago, not back when I was a student, but today. That matters.
Because when I say I understand what families are experiencing in the Thompson School District, I’m not speaking from memory—I’m speaking from everyday life. I’m in the drop-off line. I’m chatting with other parents at soccer practice. I’m attending school events and checking Friday folders and emailing teachers—just like so many of you. These day-to-day moments aren’t distractions from leadership—they’re its foundation.
When I hear concerns about curriculum communication, special education supports, or teacher burnout, I’m not seeing these issues secondhand—I’m experiencing them right alongside you. That kind of real-time perspective is exactly what our school board needs right now.
Too often, school leadership feels like something that’s happening to families instead of with them. It can feel distant, bureaucratic, or out of touch. We need a new model: one where the board reflects the district’s lived reality—not just in makeup, but in presence.
That’s what I mean by family-centered leadership—not just a campaign slogan, but a lived commitment.
That means being present—not only at board meetings, but in the hallways, sidelines, and unfiltered conversations that rarely make it onto an agenda. It means being responsive—addressing community questions thoroughly, not with vague, rehearsed replies. It means being accessible—building trust with families who don’t always feel comfortable speaking at public forums.
Nationally, parents expect more from their schools. According to a 2022 Pew Research Center report, many want schools to focus beyond academics: emotional well-being, career preparation, and respectful dialogue matter deeply. That shift demands a board that listens as much as it leads.
We also know—through decades of research, including findings on family engagement in Edutopia—that when schools form real partnerships with families, students do better: higher attendance, stronger academic performance, and deeper emotional resilience.
That’s the kind of leadership I’m committed to delivering.
Not yearly meetings and post-facto newsletters. Not lip-service solicitations of public input. Real engagement that’s ongoing, meaningful, and includes follow-through.
The best ideas for improving our schools don’t come from committee rooms—they come from playground chats, living room debates, and carpool conversations. I’m running because those are the places where I’m listening.
Family-centered leadership means being accountable—not just on paper, but in presence and action. It means recognizing that our communities aren’t stakeholders—they’re partners.
If elected, that’s what I’ll offer: a school board grounded in community life, informed by everyday experience, and committed to shaping a school system that works for every family—including yours.
