I am a Chicago mom and nationally-recognized education policy expert and fierce advocate for a strong teaching profession. I have a PhD in Education and my career in education policy includes working with Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois state lawmakers on the Teacher Vacancy Grant pilot and other initiatives to strengthen the state's teacher workforce. I led the introduction of a bill to the U.S. Congress that would raise teacher pay to a minimum of $60,000 nationwide because the research, and common sense, makes abundantly clear that teachers matter more than anything else in our schools.

I am running for the Chicago Board of Education to bring my policy expertise, national perspective, research and data orientation, history of deeply inclusive decision-making, and passion to ensuring that decisions are made in ways that prioritize teacher recruitment and retention and teachers’ ability to do their best work for Chicago's children. CPS should be a place where every family wants to send their children and where every child feels safe, welcomed, and able to grow into their best self. 

Priorities: 

The CPS Budget

As noted above, one of my deepest values is investing in excellent teachers for every student. I have successfully advocated in Springfield before and will do so again to fully fund the evidence-based funding formula, and, to the extent difficult decisions must be made to balance the CPS budget to stop diverting desperately-needed funding toward paying debt, I will do the hard work to ensure teacher recruitment and retention is prioritized, that decisions are transparent, and that teachers' and all stakeholders' voices are present. 

I am eager to explore innovative solutions to the CPS financial crisis, such as forming strategic partnerships with major corporations right here in Chicago. Just imagine the potential if companies like Google, Microsoft, and the more than 30 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in our city teamed up with CPS! These partnerships could provide not only financial support but also invaluable resources and real-world opportunities for our students.

Chronic Absenteeism

An alarming 40% of CPS students are chronically absent. The research shows that XXXX

Transportation also is a huge barrier and I support lower-cost solutions like helping high school seniors get CDLs through grants to expand the bus driver pool and environmentally-friendly "bike buses," and collaboration with law enforcement to ensure all children can make it to school safely. Most importantly, all CPS staff and Board members must do their part to build trusting relationships between schools and families so that every family feels safe and welcome coming to school each day.