Why do you want to serve on the School Committee?
Four years ago, I ran for the Watertown School Committee to support vibrant, inclusive schools that allow all students equitable opportunities to a high quality education. The past four years on the Committee have taught me so much and the knowledge and skills I have gained can only be put to use by running again. As a Committee, we have accomplished a lot in the past four years and I would love the opportunity to build on those accomplishments, which include launching universal Pre-K and a comprehensive Restorative Justice program, expanding the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging department to include a Restorative Practices Facilitator, Student Leadership Development Coordinator, Equity Facilitators at each school, and Family Liaisons at each elementary school, and piloting and launching new, high quality, evidence based curricula. The results are showing: this year, Watertown Public Schools was recognized by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for combating COVID-era learning loss. In the previous two years, two of our elementary schools, Cunniff and Hosmer, were named Schools of Recognition by the State. The past four years have also seen the completion of the Elementary Schools building projects and continued work on the groundbreaking new high school building set to open later this school year. Additionally, during my tenure, I had the privilege to be on the bargaining team that settled two contracts with our educators that include paid parental leave, competitive salaries, and improvements to working conditions. To say I am proud of what Watertown Public Schools has accomplished and the opportunities I have had to play a role in these successes is an understatement.
As always, however, there is more work to be done. We are facing uncertainty regarding our budget in the coming years and will need committee members who are committed to thinking creatively and putting the needs of students first. We have many students and caregivers who are facing serious stressors due to the current political climate and we must continue to do everything we can from a budget and policy perspective to help all of our students feel safe and welcomed at school. We must continue to develop and implement communication strategies that reach and engage all caregivers. We must continue to rigorously evaluate our current programming to ensure that it is effective for all learners. I am running again to serve four more years on the School Committee, to help steer our schools through even choppier waters, and to reflect your voices as our schools grow and change. In this moment, when public education is facing real challenges, Watertown needs leaders who are committed to protecting inclusive, safe, and supportive schools for every student. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, and I’m ready to keep building on that progress in the years ahead.
Tell voters about your background and qualifications for being a School Committee member.
My background and experience are what qualify me for this position. I’ve served on the School Committee for the last four years, and so I know the district, I know its priorities, its strengths, and its areas left for improvement. And as a lifelong educator, who grew up the daughter of educators, my career situates me perfectly to guide the district in positive directions for students, families, and staff. For nearly 20 years, I’ve worked as a school counselor, supporting students and families, collaborating with teachers, and helping build school communities where every child can thrive. That on-the-ground experience gives me a deep understanding of how policy and budget decisions directly impact classrooms, educators, and students. I approach this work both as an educator and as a parent who deeply values strong public schools.
Over the past four years I’ve chaired the Budget & Finance and Curriculum Subcommittees, participated in hiring teams, and served on the School Building Committee. I’ve helped support the launch of Universal Pre-K, expand restorative justice and family engagement initiatives, and increase mental health supports for students. I’ve also served as a bargaining team member for two negotiation cycles, and I’m proud of the strong, collaborative working relationship we’ve built with the Watertown Educators Association. Our educators are the heart of our schools, and supporting them is essential to ensuring all students have access to a high-quality education.
These four years have also taught me how much this work depends on trust, relationship-building, and the willingness to engage in hard conversations. It takes time to learn how to do this job well. I now bring that experience, knowledge, and a proven track record of collaboration to the table.
How can the district make sure that all students and their families feel welcome, and are getting the most from their experience in the Watertown Public Schools?
Creating truly welcoming and inclusive schools starts with the belief that every student and family matters — and then backing that belief with action. Watertown is a beautifully diverse community, and our schools should reflect and celebrate that diversity in everything we do. Communication is key. Caregivers need clear, accessible, multilingual communication that helps them navigate our schools and feel like active partners in their children’s education. We’ve done some good work in this area by moving to ParentSquare, a comprehensive communication platform that allows for instant translation, but there’s more to do to increase its use. We need to continually be reaching out in multiple ways to ensure that families are getting the information they need. To that end, I’m thrilled that we now have Family Engagement Facilitators at each elementary school.
Secondly, students are more likely to feel belonging at school when they are engaging in joyful learning that centers connection and community. This means making sure classrooms reflect students’ cultures, voices, and lived experiences — and that every child sees themselves represented in their school. We have made meaningful strides in this area with reviews and adoption of new curricula, and our Diversity and Belonging Councils (DBCs) have worked hard to bring caregivers, students, and staff together to celebrate our diverse backgrounds. If you are looking for a way to get involved in your child’s school community, reach out to your DBC!
Watertown has an opportunity to completely renovate or rebuild Watertown Middle School and use the temporary school currently at Moxley Field. How would you like Watertown to proceed with this project?
In an ideal world, I would love to see Watertown move forward with rebuilding or renovating the middle school. A modern, updated learning environment at this level would bring our facilities in line with the investments we’ve made in our elementary schools and high school. However, the feasibility study came back with cost estimates far beyond the budget set by the City Manager. Given the current financial climate, I have real concerns about whether moving forward with such a large project right now would be financially responsible. It’s also important to be clear that the decision to rebuild the middle school ultimately rests with the City — not the School Committee. That said, caregivers, educators, students, and residents should have a strong voice in shaping what happens next. Even if a full rebuild isn’t immediately possible, there is still work to be done to make sure the current middle school supports great teaching and learning. I look forward to working collaboratively to plan projects that improve the learning environment while staying mindful of our fiscal realities.
The district is considering a policy banning use of cellphones and other personal electronic devices from the beginning of school to the final bell. Would you support this policy, and why?
I believe strongly that schools are places where kids should be interacting with each other and not their devices. To that end, I am in support of policies that make it easier for kids and adults to connect with each other without digital barriers. I’m thankful for the thoughtful work the Personal Electronic Device Task Force has done engaging with our community and making policy recommendations based on evidence, research, and community feedback. We have already seen good results at the Elementary and Middle school levels where a bell-to-bell ban of personal electronic devices is already in place, and look forward to seeing results of the pilot of the “Doorman” App that is currently being used at the high school. However, policies such as these must be implemented alongside larger values conversations about digital engagement in our community as well as education about responsible digital citizenship so that our students learn to use technology in ways that are healthy, balanced, and empowering rather than isolating.
The budget has been tight in recent years, but if the district had an opportunity to add programs, which one would you choose first?
We have so many wonderful programs running already! Watertown is at the forefront in many areas including free Pre-K, Spanish language classes in the elementary schools, and performance music during the school day, to name a few. Our school gardens and composting program are also beloved parts of each school community, and we recently purchased a “freight farm” where students will be able to learn about hydroponic gardening in a farming science course. Adding to all of the programs we already have, I would love to see ASL (American Sign Language) added to our course catalog as another avenue for our students to complete the foreign language graduation requirement. I would love to see growth and expansion of our Career and Technical Education programming to include trades such as automotive technology or electrical.
During your campaign, what was the biggest issue or concern for voters when you spoke to them about the Watertown Schools?
Compared to when I campaigned four years ago, when we were still navigating COVID, many more folks I’ve spoken to have really positive things to say about our schools. That being said, I continue to hear concerns from caregivers about special education; communication, navigating the system in partnership, and ensuring that their children’ s needs are being met are issues that have come up in some conversations. Additionally, I’ve had lots of discussions about the middle school building project.