About Me
My background
I have been a teacher for 18 years. I currently work in Crowley ISD and serve as the Teacher Development and Student Intervention Specialist over Math & Science. Prior to working in Crowley, I taught in Fort Worth ISD at Dunbar High School where I served as the Math Department Chair, Senior Class Sponsor, after-school tutoring and attendance recovery coordinator, and a member of the Site Based Decision Committee. At the district level, I served on the Superintendent's Advisory Council and had been part of the District Math Department Curriculum Cadre. I assisted in writing curriculum and assessments as well as leading professional development for various math content. In addition, I mentored aspiring teachers through the University of Texas Arlington UTEACH program.
I am a single mom who raised my son while putting myself through college. I earned my Associate of Arts degree through Tarrant County College before transferring to Texas Woman's University where I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. In 2022, I completed my Master of Education in Teacher Leadership with an emphasis on Curriculum and Instruction at Lamar University. I am currently working towards my Principal Certification through Lamar University.
My why
As a classroom teacher and parent, I see first-hand the challenges our students face every day. COVID directly impacted our students who are still trying to recover from the impact of the pandemic.
According to NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association), a K-12 assessment and research organization that tracks data through MAP (Measures of Academic Performance) testing, the data shows we are still dealing with the fallout.
We test students at the beginning of the year, the middle of the year, and the end of the year. The latest numbers estimate that most students would need, on average, an additional 4.5 months of mathematics and 4.1 months of reading to recover in these two subjects. Yet, as educators, we just went back to teaching the curriculum we always taught before the pandemic and acted like nothing changed.
We have to do better for our kids; for their future. They deserve an education and we aren't doing an adequate job of getting our kids back on track.
School and district leaders are doing the best they can with limited resources and staff they have. We have a teacher shortage right now because teachers are being asked to do more and more with less and less.
We have to take care of our teachers so they can take care of our kids. That starts with setting realistic standards and a comprehensive curriculum that moves students forward while providing opportunities for students to close their learning gaps.
My involvement
I have been a classroom teacher for 18 years. I have written curriculum and assessments for the last 15 years. I have been part of textbook adoption for two different districts.
As the Senior Class Sponsor, I worked closely with my students to ensure they successfully completed the requirements for graduation, including passing all their classes, passing all STAAR EOC Exams, and completed their FAFSA.
In 2020, I created the Facebook group, "Adopt a Wildcat." As the Senior Class Sponsor, I brought it back this year. Students are "adopted" by being paired with a mentor who will help the student get prepared for college, career, or military after graduation.
Last legislative session, I had the opportunity to travel to Austin and speak with legislators about public education. I used my voice to speak against passing a voucher bill. I returned during a special session and, again, voiced my concern about using public funds for private education.
The committee I would like to serve on would be the Committee on Instruction. The primary focus of this committee is curriculum and instruction (which I have a Master's Degree in), special education, and alternatives to social promotion.