Bio:
Raised in Algonquin, I was a student in the first Kindergarten class to attend Neubert Elementary School, followed by Dundee Middle School, and finally, a graduate of Dundee Crown High School. Thanks to the dedication of my teachers and the motivation I received from them throughout my schooling (especially Ms. Ostewig), I graduated with confidence in myself and abilities and the skillset ne
eded to go on to successfully pursue further education at Millikin University. After marrying my husband, we made the choice to live in this community because of the many things that make this a wonderful place to raise a family – our park district, recreation areas, libraries, and last but not least, our schools. Now as the proud parent of a D300 student, I’m witnessing first-hand how the district has changed over the years to provide even more opportunities and programs to its students with the goal of providing engaging and inclusive educational experiences that empower and equip all students to discover, innovate, and succeed now and in the future
My experience and background:
I have spent the past 20 years working in Educational Publishing. My work has instilled in me a drive to make the educational experience for students as engaging as possible with the goal of igniting a life-long passion for learning. While I’m not a trained educator, being involved in the development of educational materials for use in classrooms has given me insight into much of what goes into our children’s education such as: teaching methods, learning styles, interventions, curriculum, state standards and customizations, accessibility, content delivery options, and current trends. This insight along with the skills that I use daily in my role as a Creative Director: creative-thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration, would make me an effective board member. In addition, I have been a very involved member of the community, including: serving as a part of the D300 Community Leadership Academy, former board member for Shared Harvest Food Co-op, youth soccer coach, Sleepy Hollow Elementary School PTC Committee Chair, and frequent volunteer at school events. Why I'm running:
“I will continue to be a passionate advocate for public education and the needs of the District 300 community.”
As a life-long resident, graduate, parent, and current board member, I care deeply about the District 300 community. While serving on the board, I have learned a great deal about what is involved in operating a district as large and as diverse as ours. I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the essential role that public education plays in developing future generations. My knowledge in the areas of curriculum, governance, school finance, policy, and safety will be beneficial in advocating for the needs of our community, making informed and strategic decisions, and providing stability from the board as we work through the challenges that lie ahead. If re-elected, I will focus on these goals:
• Advancing strategies and initiatives that ensure all students grow and succeed socially, emotionally, and academically
• Supporting teachers and staff in their work to create and deliver purposeful and engaging learning experiences
• Retaining and recruiting educators and staff who are passionate about our students’ education and well-being
• Expanding existing programs to provide more opportunities and support for our students’ aspirations
• Increasing opportunities for student voice to make sure that students feel heard, accepted, valued, and safe
• Engaging with the community to understand varying perspectives and working collaboratively to address community priorities
• Maintaining a fiscally sound budget that wisely spends our tax dollars and balances our current needs with our plans for the future
