Campaign website:

Education/degrees: BS - Louisiana State University

MPA - University of New Haven

Occupation: Epidemiologist

Civic involvement: American Red Cross Volunteer

New London Main Street Volunteer

New London NAACP (Eduation Chair)

African American Health Council

Miracle Temple Church - Children's Church

Coordinator, Ministerial Staff, Miracle

Voices, Back to School Block Party

Endorsements:

Previous offices held and other government service:

What are the major issues for your town? 1) Increasing student achievement by ensuring we have well trained and knowledgeable teachers who teach basic, traditional academic content instead of teaching programs or teaching to the test. In addition to well trained teachers, students need the support and encouragement from parents who are the child's first teacher and the primary influence in their life. We need to develop and utilize creative, effective and non-traditional strategies for involving parents while decreasing barriers that prevent parent participation in school events, meetings, etc. 2) Reading must be a common thread throughout all subjects from K - 12th grade 3) Improving test scores by increasing reading comprehension.

What makes you the best candidate for this office? I am very passionate about education and children. I believe in New London Public Schools and in our children and I'm committed and dedicated to serving them, being their voice and want to make sure they receive good quality education. I work with middle and high school students in my current job and I also work with children ages 0-12 at Miracle Temple Church where I attend. As a result of working with those children and teens, I exercise good leadership, critical thinking and communication skills. I work well within a team, I'm respectful, open-minded and I love being a public servant.

What was the last book you read, and what did you think of it? I Am the Children I Teach by Tonya Blue. It was an excellent book that showed how teachers see pieces of themselves in the children they teach. It deals with two middle school teachers in an urban area who were hiding their own childhood pain to have them exposed by two 8th grade students who faced the same problems. You never know what problems, issues or baggage a child brings into a classroom or what problems or issues a teacher hides.