What knowledge, skills and experiences have prepared you to serve as an Pearland ISD Board Trustee?
I am a dedicated parent within the school district, with a son currently enrolled, and I have also served as a foster parent to children who have attended schools in the district. I take an active and engaged role in supporting our school community, including providing additional classroom supplies and offering assistance to teachers whenever possible. I am committed to contributing positively to the educational environment and helping ensure that all students and staff have the resources and support they need to succeed.
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?
Students should be intentionally taught the value of kindness, respect, and acceptance. Recognizing that each individual is unique—and that these differences strengthen our communities—is essential to creating a positive and inclusive learning environment. Every student deserves to feel valued and supported.
I strongly advocate for collaborative group activities that bring together students from diverse backgrounds, encouraging teamwork, understanding, and mutual respect. These experiences help foster both social and emotional growth.
At the same time, we must maintain a strong focus on academic achievement. With Texas ranking lower compared to other states in certain educational measures, it is critical that we prioritize strengthening students’ academic skills while also building their confidence and self-esteem.
Additionally, it is important to expose students to a wide range of career pathways, including both blue-collar and white-collar professions, so they can better understand and prepare for the diverse opportunities available to them.
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?
Adequate and equitable funding from the state is essential to ensuring the success of our school district. I am committed to actively advocating for the resources our students and educators deserve by engaging directly with state leaders in Austin. This includes organizing meetings with lawmakers—whether in person, virtually, or by phone—to ensure our district’s needs are clearly communicated and addressed.
In addition to state advocacy, I believe in the power of community involvement. I will work to organize fundraisers, seek out corporate and local sponsorships, and invite community members to share ideas and collaborate on sustainable solutions. Through strategic planning and persistent effort, we can work toward eliminating funding gaps.
The lack of funding for extracurricular activities remains a significant concern, as these programs are critical to student engagement, personal development, and overall well-being. To help address this issue, I am currently in the process of establishing a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that will enable us to accept donations from businesses and private individuals.
The mission of this organization is to support extracurricular programs, ensure that no student goes without meals, and provide essential supplies for both students and faculty. Every student deserves access to the opportunities and basic resources necessary to learn, grow, and succeed.
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.
As someone who grew up loving books like To Kill a Mockingbird, it’s disheartening to see long-standing works being removed from school libraries. These stories help students understand history, empathy, and the complexity of the world around them.
I believe transparency is key when it comes to school library decisions. Parents and community members should have easy access to book lists and understand how selections are made. I support systems that allow parents to guide their own child’s reading—such as opt-out options—because families should have a voice in what their children are exposed to.
At the same time, I believe schools have a responsibility to ensure materials are age-appropriate. Content involving explicit sexual violence or extreme graphic material should be carefully evaluated before being made available to students.
Ultimately, this isn’t about banning books outright—it’s about balance. We can protect students while still preserving access to meaningful literature that challenges them to think, learn, and grow.
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?
The use of artificial intelligence in education should be approached with thoughtful boundaries. While AI can be a valuable tool when used appropriately—such as for research support or guidance on longer assignments—overreliance on it may hinder students’ ability to think critically and develop their own creativity.
The purpose of education is to equip students with the skills to think independently, solve problems, and express their ideas clearly. If students become too dependent on AI, they risk missing out on these essential developmental opportunities.
It is important that students learn how to conduct research, think creatively, and communicate their own thoughts effectively using proper grammar and writing skills without relying on AI as a primary solution. By setting clear expectations and encouraging responsible use, we can ensure that AI serves as a supportive tool rather than a substitute for genuine learning.
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?
I fully support expanding vocational and career technical education opportunities in our schools. As a blue-collar worker myself, I have seen firsthand the value and importance of these career paths.
I would strongly encourage the integration of vocational and technical programs at both the junior high and high school levels. Providing students with early exposure to a wide range of career options allows them to discover their strengths, develop practical skills, and make informed decisions about their futures.
Every student deserves the opportunity to explore diverse career pathways—not just traditional academic routes. Career and technical education can open doors to meaningful, well-paying professions that are essential to our society.
I am personally committed to supporting these efforts and would be eager to assist in developing internship and entry-level opportunities for students. Blue-collar workers play a vital role in keeping our communities and economy running, and it is important that we invest in preparing the next generation for these careers.
What do you feel are the top priorities for the Pearland ISD School Board within the next 3 years?
1. All students and faculty has the supplies they need to be successful
2. Safety for all students and faculty.
3. Opening clear and kind communication between faculty, parents, and students
