My family moved to Rochester when I was 6 years old. I am the oldest of five kids, raised by a single mom. My mother was a model of great work ethic, perseverance, resilience and service. With 6 people living on the income of a nurse, my family didn’t have a lot of money. We got free lunch, wore hand-me-down clothes, and went without. I learned that there was a difference between a hand-out and a hand-up.

My mom had her hands full. As the oldest in a big family, I needed to develop the traits of independence and self-sufficiency. While this often served me well, I sometimes didn’t have the guidance at home that helped me make the best decisions. I was fortunate to have teachers, coaches, and the parents of friends and teammates that supported me during my childhood. They were the ones that helped me recognize that my education was the key to changing my station in life. They were the ones that helped me develop discipline and leadership qualities. They were the ones that gave me rides to practice and had me over for family dinners. I was truly raised by the community of Rochester.

Besides my mom, it was my teachers that had the most impact on my life: Dot Wooster and George Brandon at School Street School. Eileen Parsell at Gonic School. Sharon Ridley, Tom Alberghini, Rick Rogers, Dan and Deb Lachance at the Junior High and Middle School. Rick Apt, Dan Moynihan, Kevin Vachon, Peter Kaligian, Jake Collins and Elise Hyde at Spaulding High School. They inspired my love of learning. They got me back on track when I went off the rails. And they influenced my decision to become an educator.

I earned a Bachelors degree from Plymouth State and a Masters degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. This year I begin my 20th year as a teacher and school librarian.  Over the course of my career I have served over 5000 students and hundreds of colleagues. I have coached, served on countless school committees. I have also served on the executive board of my teachers’ associations.

I moved back to Rochester in 2012. Since then I have started a family and purchased a home, rooting myself in the community I grew up in. I have served a term as Trustee of the Rochester Public Library. I have helped coach my daughter’s soccer team for the last few years. I have participated with my family in Rochester Cares clean up day. I volunteer at the Willand Drive Warming Center. I am currently serving as the Treasurer for the PTA of my childrens’ school. I have worked at Oyster River Middle School since 2013. I am the long-time Treasurer of the Oyster River Teachers Guild. 

It is my mission to serve other people. It is my hope to give back to the community that gave me so much. I can effectively serve my community on the Rochester School Board which is why I ask for your vote.