Principal, Model Laboratory School
Richmond, Kentucky

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Candidate Statement

Leading Heroes

One of my favorite aspects of education is that no two days are alike.  While constantly adjusting to new laws, curriculum, standards, tests, safety protocols, political influences, and staffing and physical shortages, we are provided the opportunity to show our fortitude, creativity, and desire to ensure all students and staff are successful. To say the last couple of years have been the most difficult in our education careers might be an understatement, but with actions, collaboration, and dedication to our craft we were and continue to be heroic. Taking on these opportunities alone can have a wearing effect on any hero; therefore, it is important now more than ever to have an organization that provides the ability to bounce ideas off of peers, discuss concerns, build friendships and promote our amazing profession.

Ever since I joined NAESP, I have been blessed by learning from some of the brightest minds our nation has to offer and that has helped me to better serve the students and families in my school community. I have learned more from the casual conversations at NDP or at the NAESP National Conference than I have from professional development or college courses. Listening to the stories of colleagues who have faced adversities and challenges and came out with students excelling academically, socially, and emotionally is a priceless opportunity for professional growth.

During the past couple of decades, education has been faced with a changing social perception. From impacts of a global pandemic and how schools handled choices on virtual or in-person, masking, and vaccinations, to book titles in our libraries, CRT and how we show respect to all students and staff and long-standing focus on test scores. Our noble profession is being viewed and promoted in a negative light and we are seeing the impacts with a mass exodus of teachers and administrators from schools, a decreased pipeline of new educators from colleges and universities and states creating new paths for teacher certification infill the vacancies in schools. It will be up to school principals who will be able to support, influence, and inspire their students and staff to overcome changes in pedagogy, budget deficits, and the demands of ensuring the mental and emotional well-being of students and faculty in this change of social perception of public education. As school leaders, we will be called upon to advocate for the needs of our schools through local, state, and federal avenues, and NAESP has provided our members with the resources to do this. It will also be up to NAESP and other education associations to lead the charge to swing the perception of education to show the heroes who serve in our buildings every day making life-changing impacts on the students and the communities they serve.

As a leader in our profession, it will be my mission to listen to the impact stories of the heroes in our schools and promote these stories to shift the national narrative. I will continue to look for a way to build back our pipeline of educators and address the concerns with funding with the rising cost of materials, labor, and needs. I’m truly blessed and honored to be the elementary principal at Model Laboratory School and to work with a group of dedicated educational leaders who improve and develop instructional practices for every student, no matter what diverse background they come from. It is always humbling to work with such a dedicated group of educators, and I would feel extremely honored to have the opportunity to serve you as the NAESP Vice President.

Additional Information

Professional Preparation

  • Ed.S, Educational Leadership, Eastern Kentucky University, 2021
  • M.Ed, Educational Leadership, University of South Florida, 2008
  • B.S., Kindergarten and Elementary Education, The Pennsylvania State University, 2005

Professional Experience

  • Principal, Model Laboratory School, Richmond, KY, 2018-Present
  • Assistant Principal, St. Cloud Elementary School, St. Cloud, FL, 2015-2018
  • Assistant Principal, Poinciana Academy of Fine Arts Elementary School, Poinciana, FL, 2012-2015
  • 3rd Grade Teacher, Flora Ridge Elementary, Kissimmee, FL, 2011-2012
  • 1st-3rd Grade Teacher, St. Cloud Elementary, St. Cloud, FL, 2006-2011
  • K-2 Teacher, Partin Settlement Elementary, Kissimmee, FL, 2005-2006

Professional Affiliations

  • NAESP Membership Committee, 2021-Present
  • NAESP Professional Learning Advisory Council, 2021-Present
  • NAESP Board of Directors (Zone 5), 2019-2021
  • NAESP Member 2018-Present
  • KAESP Member 2019-Present
  • FASA Member 2017-2018
  • Student PSEA PSU Main Campus Chapter, Vice President, 2004-2005
  • SPSEA Member 2000-2005