Biography

I believe a strong public school system is vital to the health of our economy and our democracy. My husband, Brad, and I both grew up attending public schools in North Carolina and Florida, respectively.  We moved to Decatur in 2012, when my husband accepted a position at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  Our child, Lee, is a student at Druid Hills Middle School.  Last year we also hosted a foreign exchange student, Isabel.  She was from Germany and attended Druid Hills High School.

Starting at a young age, I excelled academically, taking a variety of honors and AP courses and graduating valedictorian of my high school.  I attended Tallahassee Community College before transferring to the University of South Florida to complete my Bachelor’s in Sociology.  After graduating, I took a break from school to join the workforce, get married, and start a family. I returned to school in 2015 to complete my Master of Public Policy from Georgia State University, graduating summa cum laude. 

I have dedicated my life to public service, starting with my first job as a lifeguard at age 15.  While attending college, I worked as a counselor on a 24-hour suicide prevention hotline and as a clinic assistant for Planned Parenthood.  After graduation, Brad and I served in the Peace Corps, where I taught science and English.  I have also worked in a variety of case management positions, working with low-income families, homeless individuals, people with HIV/AIDS, and parents of medically fragile children.  After completing my master’s degree, I transitioned to more managerial roles, writing grants, analyzing data, evaluating programs, and ensuring compliance.  

In 2015, Lee started school as a Kindergartener at Fernbank Elementary. Two years later, we moved to our current home in the Laurel Ridge neighborhood.  Since that time, my interest in DeKalb County schools has grown.  I have led efforts to upgrade the heating and air conditioning systems at several elementary schools, worked with the county transportation office to secure pedestrian safety improvements near neighborhood schools, and fostered more open communication between the school district, parents, and the local community.  I have been an active member of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Principal’s Advisory Council (PAC), and the Emory Lavista Parent Council (ELPC). 

In addition to my school advocacy, I work as a grants manager for Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV) and am Vice President of the Laurel Ridge Shamrock Civic Association (LRSCA).