Public education is the cornerstone of our future, and I am committed to making Nevada one of the Top Ten states in the nation for educational achievement and to advocate for systems that serve all students and families regardless of where they live. We must fight for an educational system of which we can be proud and of which fuels our future economy and the needs of our diverse state. As citizens we are all accountable to ensuring that students leaving our school systems are thoroughly prepared for college, careers, and civic life.

Pillar 1:
We must ensure that no family has to send their child to a failing school. We have decades of research in education that tells us what works. We know how to foster student growth and success for all, but we must have the political will to put first things first. To do this, all schools across the state should only be utilizing high quality curriculum and materials. In addition, all teachers must have access to meaningful, relevant, and ongoing professional learning in research-based best practices. We must never accept the status quo that 60% of students across our state do not read at grade level and that the percentage who are not proficient in mathematics is even greater. I believe in accountability and that we must shine a light on schools where students continuously do not achieve or show growth. Accountability must always coincide with layers of support. The work being done in schools is vast and complex, and our educators deserve access to the materials and learning they need in order to provide a robust and rigorous education to all children.

Pillar 2:
Every family, every student, and every educator deserves to feel safe at their school, and my commitment is to helping all schools embrace practices to promote a positive culture that does not permit violence or bullying and where students’ and staff social and emotional well being are paramount. Students must feel safe in order to learn, and teachers must feel safe in order to be the best educators they can be.

Pillar 3:
As the member of the State Board of Education who serves the ten Northern Nevada counties, I vow to always fight for equity of resources for our schools. Every school in our state should be provided with equitable funding. I will also advocate against blanket policies and practices that may be necessary in Southern Nevada but which do not serve the students and families of Northern Nevada.