Like so many, I wear many hats. I am a mother to two kind, clever and entertaining boys, ages 11 and 12. I am a wife to an incredibly supportive husband of 17 years. I am a Williamstown community member for 19 years. I am a daughter and sister for more years than I care to discuss.  And...

 

I have been a passionate educator for 20+ years in public K12 education as a tutor, teacher, school leader, board member and executive coach and trainer to public school leaders. I was the Founding Executive Director at BART, a public charter school, and served in that role for 14 years during which I developed a deep understanding of public school laws and regulations. I understand the dilemmas school leaders face and the need to keep a community's values and mission front and center in all their work. Since BART, I have become a certified professional coach and have been coaching and training new public charter school leaders across the state as they transition into their jobs; I support them in upholding their community’s values and school missions. My work with public charter school leaders has also included coaching and supporting leaders as they adapt to the changes required due to COVID19. I have been certified in Diversity & Inclusion at Cornell, in an effort to more deeply understand how our policies can become more equitable and create a greater sense of belonging for more marginalized populations.  

 

I care deeply about the quality of our schools and am consistently looking for ways to support the hard work of all of our education professionals. For the last two and a half years, I have served on the Mt. Greylock School Council - a group that supports the development and implementation of the School Improvement Plan, alongside the Principal. Within that capacity, I had the opportunity to chair the Council's new working group focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. I also served on the hiring committee for the new high school principal, Jake Schutz. In brief, I have had the opportunity to work with students, parents, teachers, staff and administrators - and can see how the hard work of so many brings our district along.

 

At the same time, I know the importance of a strong governing body and believe my skills and experience may be best applied with the School Committee. I believe the School Committee is most effective when it is transparent, truly open to all perspectives, and works to represent the broader community. I believe the School Committee’s responsibility to hire, supervise, support and hold accountable the Superintendent is paramount. I believe in maintaining a clear line between governance and management; I know the School Committee sets policies and oversees the budget to support the professionals doing their best work. My track record as a Trustee, and now the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, at Berkshire Community College demonstrates these beliefs.

 

In brief, I believe I have the knowledge and skills to support the very issues our district is facing today.