What knowledge, skills and experiences have prepared you to serve as an Alvin ISD Board Trustee?
I currently serve on the Alvin ISD Board of Trustees, and that experience has given me a strong understanding of governance, school finance, policy, and the responsibility of representing our entire community.
Before joining the board in 2023, I spent several years actively engaged in the district through committee work, including the Education Foundation Board, Shadow Creek TIRZ No. 2 Board, School Boundary Committee(s), and the Strategic Planning Committee. Those experiences gave me a strong understanding of how decisions impact students, staff, and families across the district.
Professionally, I bring over 14 years of experience in hospitality with Marriott International, where service, communication, and building relationships are essential. That background translates directly into my approach on the board, listening, collaborating, and making thoughtful, people-centered decisions. Combined with my personal connection as a parent and community member, I’m committed to serving with both experience and heart.
As a candidate for the school board, how will you ensure every student feels included, respected, represented, and protected—regardless of religion, sex, or disability—and how will you keep classroom instruction focused on academic learning and critical thinking rather than religious instruction?
Every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported at school, that starts with strong policies, clear expectations, and a culture of accountability. As a board member, my role is to ensure our superintendent and administration have those systems in place so all students, regardless of background, have access to a positive learning environment.
At the same time, it’s important that our classrooms remain focused on academic excellence, critical thinking, and preparing students for life beyond school. We should empower educators to teach our curriculum with integrity, encourage respectful dialogue, and ensure instruction stays aligned with state standards. When we get that balance right, we create environments where students feel both supported and challenged.
Schools face competing pressures — retaining teachers, sustaining extracurricular programs (athletics and the arts), educational excellence, and keeping class sizes manageable — all within constrained budgets. As a school board candidate, what specific approach would you take to balance these priorities so students receive high quality instruction and teachers are supported and retained?
It starts with disciplined financial stewardship and clear priorities. We have to continue to invest in what impacts students most, great teachers, strong academics, and safe, supportive learning environments.
Teacher retention is key. Supporting our staff through competitive pay (which is one of the highest in the region), professional development, and a positive work environment must remain a priority. At the same time, extracurricular programs, whether athletics, fine arts, or CTE, are essential to student engagement and success, so we must protect those opportunities.
Balancing all of this requires data-driven decisions, long-term planning, and transparency. Alvin ISD has done a strong job maintaining financial stability, and I’m committed to continuing that approach so we can meet these needs without compromising quality.
Recently, several books have been challenged or removed in our district and elsewhere. Parents already have the ability to opt their child out of individual books. As a school board candidate, what is your view on which types of books should be subject to removal from school libraries, and under what circumstances — if any — should the board override a library review committee decision to remove a title for all students? Titles often cited include: The Catcher in the Rye; Brave New World; Lonesome Dove; 1984; The Color Purple; To Kill a Mockingbird; Of Mice and Men; Beloved; The Bluest Eye; The Handmaid’s Tale; The Kite Runner; Maus; All Boys Aren’t Blue.
I believe in a structured, transparent review process that includes educators, librarians, and community input, and that process should guide these decisions.
In Alvin ISD, we follow state law and established procedures to ensure materials are reviewed appropriately and made available for public input. For example, at our October 2025 board meeting, we unanimously approved the district’s proposed library book lists after the required review period, without removing any titles. That reflects our commitment to a thoughtful, process-driven approach.
Parents already have the ability to guide what their own children read, and that’s important. At the district level, our responsibility is to ensure materials are age-appropriate and aligned with educational goals, not to broadly restrict access for all students based on individual concerns.
The board should only consider overriding a review committee in rare cases where there is a clear breakdown in process or policy. Overall, I believe in respecting the review system in place, maintaining transparency, and keeping the focus on what best supports student learning.
Artificial intelligence tools are becoming more common in education, offering potential benefits and raising new concerns. As a school board candidate, what do you see as the productive uses of AI in our schools, and what risks or limits should the district address as the technology becomes more prevalent?
AI presents a real opportunity in education, whether it’s helping teachers personalize instruction, supporting students with different learning needs, or improving efficiency in administrative tasks.
At the same time, we need to be thoughtful about implementation. Concerns around academic integrity, data privacy, and over-reliance on technology are real. The district should continue to focus on clear guidelines, teacher training, and responsible use so AI enhances learning rather than replaces critical thinking.
Like any tool, it’s about balance, leveraging innovation while maintaining strong academic standards.
Many students plan to enter the workforce directly after high school. Do you believe the district should expand vocational and career technical opportunities—including practical areas like personal finance—so students can graduate with strong, job ready skills? What role should the school board play in ensuring these pathways are accessible to all students?
Absolutely, and in Alvin ISD, we’re already leading in this space.
Our Career and Technical Education programs currently serve over 75% of our high school students, offering more than 100 courses across 30+ programs and 14 career clusters. Through facilities like the JB Hensler College and Career Academy, students have access to high-quality, real-world learning experiences, including opportunities to earn industry certifications, dual credit, and even guaranteed teaching pathways within our district.
We’ve also been recognized as a 2026 CTE District of Distinction, which speaks to the strength of our programs and our commitment to preparing students for success beyond graduation.
Moving forward, I believe we should continue expanding access and aligning programs with workforce needs, while also ensuring all students, regardless of background, have the opportunity to participate. That includes practical life skills like personal finance.
The role of the board is to support these efforts through strong partnerships, strategic investment, and a clear focus on outcomes, so every student graduates with a plan, a pathway, and the skills to succeed.
What do you feel are the top priorities for the Alvin ISD School Board within the next 3 years?
Our top priorities should include ensuring a smooth and successful transition with a new superintendent, sustaining strong academic progress as we work toward an “A” rating, investing in and supporting high-quality staff, maintaining safe and secure campuses, and protecting the district’s financial stability.
At a time when many districts are facing significant challenges, Alvin ISD is in a strong position, and I’m committed to helping us build on that momentum.
