After graduating from Washington University in St. Louis, I moved to Massachusetts and attended Simmons College where I earned a Masters of Arts in Teaching. I spent 12 years teaching middle school Social Studies in the Newton Public Schools.

Throughout my teaching career, I was very involved with curriculum development. Over the years, I developed many courses and units of study. Here are some examples: African American History, Literature and the Blues; American Women in American History; Colonial History and The Crucible; Presidential Elections; Current Events; Community Service Projects In and Out of School; A Visual Portrayal of History; and Knitting.

Additionally, I had the opportunity to teach Facing History and Ourselves and become a member of their Teacher Advisory Board. Throughout these years, I was also a Team Leader and Department Chair at Day Junior High School and Bigelow Middle School. I helped design a new schedule for Bigelow Middle School and contributed to the middle school Social Studies benchmarks document for the Newton Public Schools. As well as teaching Social Studies, I loved mentoring student teachers and new teachers. These experiences gave me a chance to help others begin their careers and re-energize my own teaching.

Along with my work as an educator, I produced a short narrative film which was screened in several film festivals throughout the country. I worked at the Boston Jewish Film Festival as the Outreach Coordinator. I co-created and maintained the first website for Central Division Baseball in Cambridge. Most recently, I have done individual tutoring and designed jewelry.

Since my own children have been in school, I have been an active volunteer in their preschools and elementary school. I have worked in the classroom, published the school directory, helped out with the school musicals, and served on the Board of Radcliffe Child Care Center. I have also been the co-Chair of the Graham and Parks Steering Committee (School Council) for the last 4 years. During that time, I have tried my best to listen to the concerns of all the families and make decisions that benefit the entire school community.

I am running for School Committee because the Cambridge Public Schools need leaders who are committed to excellent public schools and who understand public schools. I will listen and work with fellow School Committee members to build a positive culture that values what is working and will fix what is not working. All children must have the chance to become educated and caring citizens. My husband, Tony, and I live in Cambridge because we value its vibrancy and diversity. Public schools are one of the best places where people can learn to work together. The focus must remain on improving our schools.