Candidate Q&A
Why are you running?
I became an educator because I wanted to give today’s children the same support my schools gave me when I was growing up as a foster youth. Today, I am constantly in awe of my students. They bring such joy, intelligence, and curiosity through the schoolhouse doors. The excitement I see on the playground, the fascination when they mix vinegar and baking soda, the thrill of learning something new—it’s just wonderful to witness. I’m running because I want to make CPS as strong as it possibly can be, for this generation of students and the next. Chicago’s kids deserve the best public schools in the world; they deserve a district that delivers an excellent education in every school. I’ll work tirelessly to make that a reality.
Are you in support of the most recent CPS budget that relies on uncommitted state funding?
Our superintendent presented a balanced budget that would have spared classrooms from major cuts and eliminated no jobs. Instead, the Board passed an unbalanced budget that threw the start of the school year into doubt. It puts thousands of educators at risk of mid-year layoffs, opens the door to unplanned furlough days, drives up our debt service, and, in the extreme, could even force us to cut days from the school year. This is a reckless budget that uses our children as bargaining chips. I reject it completely.
How will you work with CPS officials and staff to balance the district’s budget?
CPS has faced budget deficits almost every year for the last 15 years. It’s time for us to turn the page and right the ship. I will never support a budget that isn’t balanced or relies on debt. The first step to addressing our long term structural budget gap is to seek efficiencies. Look no further than the district’s poor procurement practices; we’ve spent more money repairing a single roof than some districts spend building brand new schools. Only after we’ve made every dollar work its hardest, will we have the credibility to ask Springfield for additional revenue.
Other than the budget, what is the single biggest issue facing Chicago Public Schools?
Underperforming schools. Our district exists to educate our children. That we have over 100 schools where a majority of students aren’t reading or performing math at grade level is a deep tragedy. I believe in a vision of universal academic excellence; our job as a board isn’t done until every child in every neighborhood has access to a joyous school that delivers an excellent education.
What is a top issue for students, schools and families in your specific school board voting district?
Four issues have come up about equally: the district’s inability to run a busing and student transportation program; protecting access to selective enrollment and magnet schools; poorly performing neighborhood schools that force children to travel for an excellent education; and fiscally irresponsible budgeting that threatens the district’s ability to deliver a consistent, reliable, and high-quality education to every student.
If you accept campaign contributions from special interest groups, how will you maintain independence from those donors?
As the only candidate in this race who has not taken financial support, an endorsement, or in-kind resources from the CTU, I am best positioned to offer independence from the mayor and a student-first approach to policy. While I do receive support from many individuals and unions, I always make it clear that the only interests that will sway my vote are those of Subdistrict 6A’s students and taxpayers.
How can current board policies and procedures be improved?
With a $10 billion budget, roughly 305,000 students, more than 45,000 employees, and 800+ buildings, CPS is a large institution. The Board would benefit from institutionalizing standing committees. Good governance requires expertise, expertise requires specialization, and committees enable specialization. Separately, I’d like to see the Board build out its own independent capacity for financial analysis, legislative drafting, and legal and policy work. Every unit of government benefits when its legislative body has the power to check the executive. As we see with the City Council and the Mayor, a legislative body that lacks institutional capacity leaves room for executive aggrandizement and poor policymaking.
How should CPS and the board work to address declining enrollment?
We have a crisis of community trust. Many parents just don’t have faith that CPS will deliver an excellent education for their children. This is where we need to start. To bring students back from private and parochial schools, we must offer universally excellent academics: there must be an incredible school for every child. We should also consider offering additional services for our families, such as universal Pre-K and after-school programs. It is our responsibility to provide a service that parents both need and want to use.
Do you foresee a need to close some district schools?
Like many parents and educators, I never want to see schools close. If we are to reduce our portfolio of buildings, I will work with the affected families and communities to make sure students' education isn’t interrupted and that every child ends up at a fully resourced, high-performing school.
Should CPS implement AI in its classrooms? What, if any, guardrails should be put in place?
I’m not in favor of a blanket AI ban. What I am in favor of is careful, deliberate inclusion. As with any new technology, we want our children to benefit from its possibilities while we guard against its dangers. I’m particularly attuned to AI’s privacy and pedagogical risks. As CPS continues its gradual introduction of AI into the classroom, I will be a voice for caution and prudence.
The board currently includes one Honorary Student Member. As the board has recently tripled in size, should that number be expanded?
I think the important question isn’t how many honorary members we have but what powers and access they have when seated. I want to see an empowered student member—one who can participate fully in the work of the Board. Today, the student member can’t participate in executive session, is excluded from debates, and is not treated as a partner and a resource. I commit to changing that. Our district exists for our students; they should have a real voice at the table.
How will you be responsive to student-led issues?
At the end of the day, everything CPS does should serve its students; everything else is secondary. Historically, CPS hasn’t been particularly adept at listening to students. If it were, our lunchrooms would be serving much higher-quality food. CPS needs a culture shift, and it’s time to start putting students' needs and wants first. The way to do that is to give students real power at the governing table. Whether it’s training seventh- and eighth-grade LSC members to use their votes to drive change or allowing the student board member to take part in closed-session deliberations, students' voices must be present in the rooms where decisions about them are made.
Did you attend Chicago Public Schools? When/Where?
I attended public elementary, middle and high schools in NYC.
Have you sent your children to Chicago Public Schools?
I don’t yet have kids, but when I do, I will send them to CPS.
Have you ever served on a Local School Council? When/Where?
I have not.
Have you ever worked for Chicago Public Schools?
I am a current employee at CPS. At CPS I’ve worked as an English as a second language instructor, special education classroom assistant, and substitute teacher.
What neighborhood do you live in?
I live in River North.