I bring 25 years of experience in public education, having worked in the classroom, in administration, as a college and career counselor, and as a leader of two district education foundations. I’ve written curriculum, managed school budgets, and helped develop district policies. Today, I work with school districts across Texas through a construction management firm, helping them identify educational needs, set funding priorities, and successfully pass school bonds that build safe, modern, and academically sound facilities. This work has given me a deep understanding of how schools operate and what students and educators need to succeed.

1. Keep Public Schools Free from Indoctrination
   Classrooms belong to students — not political agendas. I’ll fight efforts to insert far-right ideology into curriculum decisions and ensure review committees are led by qualified educators using evidence-based materials.

2. Support Students & Educators / Safe, Inclusive Schools
   Texas is facing a teacher crisis felt most intensely in schools serving Black communities. I will support policies that reduce paperwork, strengthen mental-health services, improve teacher retention, and protect Black, Hispanic and LGBTQ+ students from discrimination so every child feels safe.

3. Fair Funding & Real Accountability
   Every child deserves a strong school, no matter their ZIP code. Charter growth has expanded without enough oversight, draining resources from public schools. Any school receiving taxpayer dollars must meet the same academic, fiscal, and transparency standards. Public funds — including vouchers — must strengthen classrooms, not corporate profits.

I’m guided by values at the core of our Democratic tradition: fairness, opportunity, dignity, and trust in our public institutions. I believe every student — no matter their zip code or background — deserves a strong public school and a safe, welcoming classroom. I approach public service with humility and deep respect for educators, families, and communities, and I’m committed to working collaboratively to solve problems, reduce division, and put students first. I listen to diverse voices, find common ground, and stand up for what strengthens our public schools. At the end of the day, my values come down to equity, integrity, and service — and I will fight hard to protect those values and do what’s right for the children and families of Texas. These principles have guided me for 25 years in education, and they will guide my serve on the State Board of Education.

As a State Board of Education member, I will strengthen the Democratic Party locally and statewide by leading with integrity, transparency, and a deep commitment to strong public schools. I will collaborate closely with Democratic lawmakers, educators, and community leaders to ensure our policy decisions reflect evidence-based practices—not political extremism. I will support the appointment of qualified Democratic educators and highly skilled experts—not far-right activists—to serve on review committees, so our classrooms receive academically sound, honest, and inclusive instructional materials. I will actively participate in statewide education committees and testify against bills that harm public education or weaken our shared Democratic values. Strengthening the party starts with strong public schools. I will continue asking tough questions about education policies, fighting misinformation, and standing up for what is right—for students, for educators, and for the future of Texas.

As a State Board of Education member, I will insist that every school receiving taxpayer dollars—public or charter—meets the same high standards for academic performance, fiscal transparency, and ethical accountability. Texas has allowed charter expansion without enough oversight, diverting resources from the public schools that serve most families. I will push for clear, consistent guidelines for how education funds are allocated, including vouchers, so Texans know exactly where their dollars are going and what results they’re producing.

The SBOE also manages the $57 billion Permanent School Fund—the largest public education endowment in the nation. With my background in school funding, budgeting, and managing endowment resources (on a smaller scale but with the same fiduciary responsibilities), I understand the questions to ask and how to ensure investments are sound, transparent, and equitable. I will not stop until every dollar is managed responsibly and every community can trust how the fund is used to support our students.

As a State Board of Education member, I will ensure that both rural communities and underserved population centers have a real voice in every decision we make. District 5 includes fast-growing suburbs and long-standing rural communities—and I understand both because I have lived, worked, and served in them.

Over the past 25 years, my work has sat at the intersection of education and community. I taught in Austin with American YouthWorks and served as a career and college counselor in the early 2000s, working closely with Austin ISD to support students at risk of dropping out and help them stay on track to graduate. I’ve also worked in Bastrop ISD, served as Community Relations Director in Bastrop ISD, and later served as Executive Director of the Pflugerville ISD Education Foundation—roles that allowed me to build strong bridges between schools, families, and community partners. I’ve also worked in Blanco County at the Science Mill, expanding access to hands-on, innovative learning for rural students.

My service extends beyond my professional roles. I’ve served on PTAs both locally and regionally across Central Texas, supported the launch of the Dripping Springs Education Foundation, served on the CPS Boards in Bastrop and Caldwell counties, and most recently served on the Hays CISD Education Foundation Board. I’m also a proud mother of a Buda Johnson High School graduate.

Because of this work, I don’t just meet with local leaders—I already know them. I have the phone numbers of superintendents, teachers, board members, and community advocates across District 5—and they have mine. They know they can call me when something isn’t working, and I know the right questions to ask to ensure their needs are heard at the state level.

Rural communities face challenges like transportation barriers and teacher shortages, while underserved population centers struggle with overcrowding and inequitable resources. I will ensure both voices are included and use my deep district knowledge to guide decisions that strengthen every classroom in District 5.

The most pressing issue facing my constituents is chronic underfunding. Schools are being asked to do more with less, creating a ripple effect across classrooms. Teacher shortages and burnout grow as pay, respect, and support decline. Student mental-health needs rise while campuses lack counselors and resources. State overreach and political mandates—book bans, curriculum fights, and one-size-fits-all rules—undermine local decision-making and strain communities.

These pressures hit rural districts and underserved neighborhoods the hardest, widening inequities in access to advanced courses and career pathways. I will fight for fair funding, evidence-based policy, and restoring local control so every child can thrive.

One of the most harmful trends for Black students and families is the series of state-level policies that restrict honest, accurate teaching about race and history—including bans on “divisive concepts,” limitations on DEI, and political interventions into social studies curriculum.

These policies erase Black experiences, silence essential perspectives, and undermine the culturally responsive teaching that research shows improves outcomes for Black students.

Additionally, chronic underfunding and the expansion of vouchers and unregulated charter growth disproportionately impact Black communities, who are more likely to attend schools that already face resource gaps.

As an SBOE member, I will:

• Ensure Black communities are directly represented on curriculum review committees, instructional materials panels, and public hearings.

• Conduct routine school visits in both urban and rural Black communities—not only during crises, but consistently—to hear directly from teachers, counselors, parents, and students.

• Partner with PTAs, education foundations, Black chambers, faith leaders, historically

• Black civic groups, and bilingual family networks to make sure no voice is overlooked.

• Fight discrimination and protect inclusive schools, ensuring students—especially Black and LGBTQ+ students—feel safe and respected.

I believe education belongs to the whole community. My door will be open, and every conversation will inform how I vote.

I’m running because Texas public education is moving in a dangerous direction—one marked by politically motivated curriculum changes, teachers being used as political pawns, and chronic underfunding that hits Black and rural communities hardest. After 25 years working directly in public education, I could no longer sit on the sidelines. I knew change had to happen, and I knew I had the experience to help lead it.

At the same time, my mentor, Dr. Rebecca Bell-Metereau—who has served honorably in this SBOE seat—shared that she would not be seeking re-election and told me directly that this role was a natural fit for my passion, qualifications, and commitment to equity. Her encouragement solidified what I already felt: this is the moment to step up.

My background reflects every layer of the SBOE’s work. I’ve been a classroom educator, a college and career counselor, a director of community relations, and an executive director of education foundations. I’ve managed multimillion-dollar budgets, written curriculum, helped shape district policy, and supported districts across Texas in passing bonds to build safe, educationally sound schools.

My experience spans Bastrop, Pflugerville, Hays, Austin, Caldwell, and communities throughout District 5—including Black, rural, and fast-growing suburban neighborhoods. I’ve spent decades working alongside diverse families, teachers, board members, and superintendents.

I know District 5—and District 5 knows me. That lived experience, combined with my unwavering commitment to equity, transparency, and fair funding, is exactly what the State Board of Education needs right now.

Throughout my career, I’ve championed policies that expand real opportunity for young Texans—so they can build a life, a living, and a future right here in Austin and across Texas.

Here is just one example. At Pflugerville ISD, I helped lead one of our district’s earliest college and career pathways initiatives. I worked with the Board President, the City of Pflugerville, the school district, and the Education Foundation to secure funding for Geometry in Construction—a groundbreaking program that merged rigorous math instruction with hands-on construction training. This program became a model for aligning curriculum with high-skill, high-wage careers and providing students with multiple pathways to success. I will champion that same student-centered, future-focused approach on the State Board of Education.

1. Expanding Career & College Pathways That Lead to Real Opportunity

Young Texans deserve clear, affordable paths to strong futures. On the SBOE, I will strengthen CTE programs in high-demand fields, update curriculum standards so math, science, and applied learning prepare students for both college and high-wage careers, and support partnerships with cities, higher education, and local employers to build real workforce pipelines.

2. Protecting Honest, Inclusive, Student-Centered Classrooms

Students learn best in schools where they feel safe, seen, and respected. I will oppose politically motivated curriculum censorship, support historically accurate and inclusive materials, expand mental-health resources, and reduce burdens on teachers so they can focus on instruction—not politics.

3. Ensuring Strong, Well-Resourced, Future-Ready Public Schools

A strong Texas economy depends on strong public schools. I will champion real-world academic standards, transparency, and equity for all schools receiving public dollars, and protect taxpayer funds from being diverted from public classrooms. High-quality schools attract young families, support local businesses, and help young Texans build stable futures here at home.

The Texas Democratic Party must build its bench—and that begins with truly empowering young leaders. My campaign is committed to making Austin’s young professionals, students, and youth feel valued and central to both public education and the future of our Party.

As a State Board of Education member, I will ensure young Texans are not just consulted, but genuinely heard and included in the decisions shaping the classrooms, futures, and communities that serve all Texas students. My commitments include:

• Seeking ongoing guidance from young educators, civic leaders, students, and families so their lived experiences shape curriculum, standards, and policy.

• Staying deeply engaged with Austin Young Democrats, college and high school Dems, and youth-serving nonprofits by attending meetings and building real, long-term partnerships.

• Providing transparent, accessible updates after every SBOE meeting and opening clear channels for feedback on upcoming decisions.

• Making routine school visits across District 5 to meet directly with students, counselors, teachers, and campus leaders.

• Supporting leadership development by connecting young Democrats with opportunities to testify, volunteer, serve on advisory committees, and gain hands-on policy experience.

My commitment comes from experience: I’ve worked with diverse families in Bastrop and Pflugerville ISDs, served on CPS boards in Bastrop and Caldwell counties, helped build multiple Education Foundations, and served on the Hays CISD Education Foundation and regional PTA board. These roles have given me a deep understanding of community needs—and I will use these relationships to ensure young Democrats gain access, mentorship, and pathways to influence that reflect our district’s diversity.

Young Texans are not the next generation of leaders—they are leaders right now. I will make sure their voices shape the future of public education and strengthen the Democratic bench for decades to come.

As a State Board of Education member, I will use every tool within the board’s authority—and the influence that comes with the role—to ensure Austin remains a leader in protecting human rights and welcoming diversity, even as the federal and state climate grows more hostile. I am committed to standing firm against efforts to undermine these values and will actively advocate for policies that sustain our inclusive vision.

First, I will defend honest, inclusive curriculum standards. Students deserve to learn accurate history, see themselves reflected in their classrooms, and feel respected for who they are. I will oppose politically motivated attempts to erase diverse identities from textbooks or policy and will champion specific initiatives like updated curriculum guidelines and teacher training programs that reinforce these principles.

Second, I will champion safe, supportive schools. That means advocating for mental-health resources, anti-bullying protections, and clear guidance that ensures LGBTQ+, Black, Hispanic, immigrant, multilingual, and differently abled students are treated with dignity. This commitment aims to reassure families and students that their safety and well-being are a priority.

Third, I will elevate local voices because Austin's families, educators, and young leaders have long been at the forefront of equity work. I will keep them at the table—through advisory groups, school visits, open forums, and transparent updates—so their lived experiences shape statewide decisions, making them feel truly heard and appreciated.

Finally, I will use Austin’s example to push back on harmful statewide trends. The SBOE can set expectations for culturally responsive materials, equitable accountability systems, and strong instructional practices. I will work with fellow board members, advocacy groups, and district partners to show that inclusive, student-centered education isn’t just morally right—it inspires hope and leads to better academic outcomes for all students.

My commitment is simple: every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and valued in their classroom. I will fight for that every day, no matter the political pressure.

Steve Jacobs – ACC Board Trustee

José Velásquez – Austin City Councilman

Zohaib “Zo” Qadri - Austin City Councilman

Paige Ellis – Austin City Councilwoman

Victor Gonzalez – Former Mayor of Pflugerville

Kimberly Holiday – Pflugerville Mayor Pro Tem

Doug Weiss – Pflugerville Councilman (in run-off for Mayor)

Yelacia Love – Elgin City Councilwoman

George Morales - Former Constable and Candidate for County Commissioner, Precinct 4

Byron Severance – Hays CISD Trustee

Courtney Runkle – Hays CISD Trustee

Esperanza Orosco – Hays CISD Trustee

Ana Cortez -Manor Trustee