Why are you running for the State Board of Education? What is your vision of success for this role?

Education is more than a career to me; it’s a lifelong commitment and passion. From my beginnings as a social studies and leadership teacher, to my roles in district level curriculum and professional learning as well as nearly a decade teaching at the University of Nevada, Reno, I have gathered a great deal of knowledge about our educational systems and student needs. In my current role as the Principal of Doral Academy, a 5-star charter school, I have gained an even more comprehensive understanding of the complexities in implementing education change. This journey has not only honed my expertise but also earned me recognition from Governor Lombardo and an appointment to the Nevada State Board of Education in October 2023.
Nevada’s educational challenges are no secret, and they demand a leader with both passion and experience to drive substantial improvement. My vision for success in this role centers on elevating Nevada’s students and transforming our state’s education system into a model of excellence. I’m determined to shift the narrative from Nevada consistently ranking at the bottom in educational standings to becoming a beacon of educational success.
With my extensive career dedicated to improving education at every level, I believe I am uniquely positioned to continue making a significant impact. I am committed to being the catalyst for change that Nevada’s education system needs.

How do you define student success? What experience do you have and what role do you intend to play in advocating for student success?

Defining student success requires a broad lens, one that captures not just academic achievement but also the personal growth, resilience, and the skills and dispositions essential for a fulfilling career and engagement in civic life. True success, in my eyes, is when students master the skills necessary to compete in a global world and also find excellence in fields they are passionate about, utilizing their education both within the classroom walls and in our community.

At Doral Academy, where I have the privilege of serving as Principal, we embody this holistic approach to nurturing student success. Our educational practices are meticulously crafted to meet the diverse needs and aspirations of our 996 students, ensuring they don’t just reach their potential but soar beyond it. This commitment to fostering an environment that supports both academic excellence and personal well-being has been a cornerstone of our consistent achievement of a 5-star rating. The effectiveness and well-being of our students stand as a testament to these efforts, highlighting the impact of a supportive, growth-oriented educational environment. I am also proud of the positive climate and culture of our school, which supports parent involvement and is focused on ensuring that educators are honored and elevated as learning professionals.

The vision for student success across the state should mirror the comprehensive and realistic objectives we’ve set and met at Doral Academy. It’s about creating a nurturing environment that champions growth, innovation, and resilience and which demands high expectations for both students and educators. We know that high quality teaching is the most important factor in the success of each student followed by access to quality materials and a supportive, inclusive, and equitable environment for all students. Recent trends, such as the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results showing a decline in math and reading scores for Nevada’s fourth graders, signal a pressing need for a strategic overhaul. My experience at Doral Academy, where we’ve adopted research-based curriculum and trained all teachers in best practices and where we hold all students to high standards of engagement and behavior management, stands as a blueprint for statewide adaptation. This model not only elevates academic standards but also nurtures the emotional, social, and practical life skills essential for student success.

If elected, my advocacy would focus on extending these practices across Nevada, ensuring every school is equipped with the necessary resources, including high-quality instructional materials and professional development for teachers. Additionally, I would advocate for assessment models that reflect true student growth and demonstrate which schools are best equipped to grow students, no matter their background. I would also strive to champion regulations and practices that reduce unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles for schools while keeping a laser focus on what we know works in education.

On the 2022 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), fourth-grade students, in Nevada, scored 6 points lower in math and 7 points lower in reading when compared to 2019. If elected, how can you use your position to ensure Nevada stops following this national trend and starts leading the way for student outcomes?

The decline in math and reading scores among Nevada’s fourth graders, as highlighted by the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results, presents a pressing challenge that demands immediate and strategic action. We can no longer blame the effects of Covid shutdowns and must dig deeply into individual student data to determine what each student needs. Teachers must be provided access to high quality educational materials and professional learning in the science of reading and other research-based practices that are known to grow all students. I hear regularly from educators around the state that they are not provided curriculum aligned to the science of reading, nor are they provided with in-depth professional learning to learn the why and how of new practices that must be implemented.

I believe in the importance of developing and implementing support systems that are tailored to meet the individual needs of each student, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive. We need to ensure that every student has access to highly qualified educators, and that our students with additional learning and social emotional challenges receive the help they need from teachers who understand differentiation and scaffolding that provides access to grade level content. All students deserve to know that we believe in their potential and that we understand their unique strengths and challenges. The new pupil centered funding plan provides additional resources to these students, and we must ensure that we monitor the impact of additional resources to ensure they are tied to increased growth and achievement.

What, if any, barriers currently exist to educational excellence and equity for every student? If elected to the State Board of Education, how will you help eliminate these barriers?

The pursuit of educational excellence and equity in Nevada is met with several formidable barriers, but none insurmountable with the right vision and collective will. Among these challenges, the variation in curriculum quality and availability of resources across our state stands out, creating disparities that impact our students’ educational experiences and outcomes. Equally pressing is the need for comprehensive professional development for educators, ensuring they’re equipped with the latest pedagogical strategies and best practices to support every student’s learning journey. Finally, the teacher shortage and the difficulty of recruiting new teachers in what could be described as a hostile environment towards educators exacerbates this challenge. Many of our students in the most highly impacted neighborhoods and schools have the least access to quality educators, and the hard working teachers and staff at these schools are under ever increasing pressure without the necessary human and other resources.

Safety in our schools forms the bedrock of a conducive learning environment. It’s paramount that every student and teacher operates in an atmosphere where they feel secure, valued, and supported. The presence of violence or bullying undermines these principles, casting a shadow over the educational process and hindering the ability to learn and teach effectively. As a State Board Member, I will continue to advocate for regulations that promote equity in disciplinary actions towards all groups of students without ever believing that the absence of discipline will solve the problem. Schools must be provided with tools to keep their schools safe for all students and educators.

Moreover, the equitable distribution of educational resources and opportunities, especially for the communities in Northern Nevada, remains a critical issue. The disparities in funding and educational support services across different regions of our state are barriers that cannot be overlooked. These challenges are not just logistical but are deeply tied to our values and commitment to every student’s right to a quality education.

If elected to the State Board of Education, my dedication will be to address these challenges head-on. By advocating for the implementation of a high-quality, inclusive curriculum and ensuring all educators have access to ongoing professional development, we can start to bridge the gap in educational quality. My role will also involve pushing for policies that foster safe, supportive, and positive school cultures, where students and educators are shielded from violence and bullying, thus enabling a focus on learning and growth.

The fight for equity in education, particularly for the often-overlooked regions of Northern Nevada, will be a cornerstone of my tenure. Ensuring that every school, regardless of location, is provided with the resources needed to succeed is not just a matter of policy but a moral imperative.

What do you believe are the top three most persistent challenges facing the State Board of Education? What is an example of a bold approach you would propose to address one of those challenges?

Our first challenge is to keep a laser focus on increasing student achievement and growth across the state. There is a lot of noise in the education world, and it is easy to become distracted by bureaucratic requirements or shiny new ideas. As I have in every meeting since my appointment, I promise to bring the conversation back to ideas that will directly impact student growth and which are centered around research-based practices. I will have the political will to challenge commending good intentions rather than expecting good results. Another issue is that we rely on incomplete data, making it difficult to make data-based decisions. The Nevada Department of Education is underfunded and lacks the appropriate infrastructure to collect or analyze significant data. Also, as with all aspects of Nevada government, we struggle to make decisions and goals that meaningfully address the very unique challenges faced by southern Nevada versus northern Nevada, especially the rural counties. As a charter school administrator, I understand both of these challenges intimately and will be a strong voice questioning one size fits all approaches.

Research suggests that more than 50% of a board meeting should be focused on student outcomes. How would you ensure the board allocates this amount of time to student outcomes?

To ensure that more than half of our board meetings are dedicated to focusing on student outcomes, a strategic approach to planning and conducting these meetings is essential. This involves a commitment to setting clear priorities that highlight the importance of student achievement and well-being in our discussions. A key part of this strategy is the design of meeting agendas that inherently prioritize student outcomes. By doing so, we emphasize the critical nature of these discussions and ensure they receive the attention and time they deserve. Many compliance and reporting measures can be placed on the consent agenda and only removed if Board members have questions regarding the item.

Central to achieving this is the cultivation of a board culture that values and understands the significance of student outcomes above all else. This cultural shift requires continuous reinforcement of the idea that student success is directly tied to the decisions we make. It’s about creating a shared understanding and commitment among board members that student outcomes are not just one of many topics for consideration but are the very core of our mission.

If elected to the Board, how would you approach challenging conversations and/or criticisms that might arise from fellow Board members, stakeholders, and the broader community?

Navigating challenging conversations and criticisms is an integral part of serving on the Board, especially when the aim is to elevate our state’s educational standards. My approach to these situations is rooted in the belief that progress is predicated on our ability to engage in difficult discussions. It is within the crucible of these conversations that the path to transformative educational reform is forged. I have spent many years teaching leadership courses and facilitating adult learning on ways in which to engage productively with contention for growth-producing results. I believe that one must have the courage to use their voice on issues that represent their core values, and I have a proven track record and reputation for doing so.

The efficacy of these discussions often hinges on ensuring that the right mix of stakeholders is present. It’s about bringing diverse perspectives to the table and recognizing that each voice, whether from fellow Board members, educators, parents, or students, contributes a crucial piece to the puzzle of educational improvement. In both formal board meetings and in less structured interactions, I am committed to maintaining an open door policy. This stance isn’t simply about being available; it’s about fostering an environment where all stakeholders feel valued and heard. By actively listening and engaging with the concerns and ideas of the broader community, we create a more inclusive and responsive decision-making process. I will listen to understand, even if I come to a conversation with a preconceived opinion, and I will always be open to learning and shifting in my own thoughts.

In dealing with criticisms, my focus remains steadfast on constructive outcomes. Criticisms are not roadblocks but opportunities for reflection, learning, and growth. By approaching these conversations with humility, respect, and a genuine desire to understand and address the underlying issues, we can navigate through disagreements and find common ground. Ultimately, my commitment is to ensure that every conversation, no matter how challenging, is directed towards our collective goal of advancing Nevada’s education system.

In 2020, the Board of Education’s Statewide Plan for the Improvement of Pupils set a mission to improve student achievement and educator effectiveness “by ensuring opportunities, facilitating learning, and promoting excellence.” What key indicators would you use to assess the Board’s progress towards accomplishing this mission?

Our goals as a board are naturally tempered by our purview and powers as outlined by state law. We must focus our energy on overseeing curriculum choices, teacher professional development requirements, and working to decrease the gap between a large majority of teachers being rated as effective while so many students are not reaching grade level achievement standards. We can also create regulations that encourage many pathways to teaching so that we can recruit more passionate and highly qualified educators. Much of our work must be in collaboration with the Nevada Department of Education, as they oversee the processes that bring textbook, materials, and standards adoptions to the State Board as well as educator licensure. This collaboration with the Nevada Department of Education is of paramount importance, and we must balance our role in setting a vision, holding staff accountable, and working closely with them on important projects. I am currently the Board member appointed to the State Literacy Committee, and it is through this role that I will maintain a laser focus on what can be done to transform student reading outcomes across the state.

In a recent survey, 77% of Nevada residents agreed that parents should be able to send their children to the public school they feel is best for their child, even if it is outside of their neighborhood. Do you agree? Please explain your reasoning.

The essence of my support for school choice is deeply intertwined with a broader vision for our education system—a vision where the concept of choice stems from a plethora of equally excellent options. While I champion the right of parents to choose the best educational setting for their children, my ultimate goal is to elevate every public school to a 5-star rating. This ambition is not just about offering choices but about ensuring that every choice is a good one.

The need for school choice underscores a current reality where educational quality and opportunities vary significantly across different schools and districts. However, envisioning a future where parents no longer have to navigate these disparities because every school provides top-tier education is where my heart truly lies. Achieving this would mean that the decision for parents is no longer about escaping a poor educational environment but about aligning their child’s schooling with specific interests, talents, or pedagogical preferences.

The following question was submitted by a current public high school student: How will you ensure students are put at the forefront of the decision making process as a member of the State Board of Education, and what accountability measures would you put in place to make sure this happens?

Ensuring that students are at the forefront of every decision made by the State Board of Education is foundational to creating an educational system that truly serves its primary stakeholders—our students. To genuinely prioritize students in decision-making, it’s crucial to implement structured avenues for their participation. This means going beyond traditional tokenistic approaches to student engagement and creating meaningful opportunities for students to share their perspectives, experiences, and ideas. For instance, establishing regular forums and advisory panels where students can interact directly with board members can provide invaluable insights into the impact of our policies on their daily educational experiences. Additionally, leveraging technology to facilitate broader, more inclusive communication with students across the state can help capture a wide range of voices, ensuring diverse student experiences inform our decisions. One effective strategy is to integrate a feedback loop into our decision-making process, where we not only listen to student voices but also report back on how their input has influenced policy decisions. This transparency can build trust and validate the importance of student contributions.