I am committed to providing high-quality teaching and learning experiences that culminate in students who are academically prepared for college or career, students who possess the tools necessary to support their social-emotional well-being and live a healthy lifestyle, and students who enjoy greater confidence in themselves from participating in authentic opportunities that develop their leadership capacity and enhance their communication skills. Prior to beginning my career in public education in 2004, my professional experience includes several years employed by international firms in their marketing and public relations departments. I have achieved success because I have been able to utilize the skills I developed in the private, for-profit, corporate sector to complement my work in education. You will find that I am a natural at managing different populations, encouraging all audiences to “think outside of the box,” and setting and accomplishing realistic goals for students and staff alike. Possessing excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, I have a proven track record for motivating all stakeholders and building teams that achieve success by working collaboratively to provide dynamic learning experiences for students.Believing that collaboration is the foundation of any thriving organization, I have leveraged my relationships to create and fund opportunities to enhance student success. These efforts have resulted in securing millions of dollars for the WPS by establishing community and corporate partnerships, grant writing, fundraising, and developing initiatives in support of the whole child. Additionally, I have been able to strengthen parental involvement and build strong community alliances which have benefitted the 25,000 students and 4,500 employees of the WPS. I am personally committed to and passionate about addressing all aspects of my students’ educational and social-emotional growth, and believe that all students can achieve when they are attending schools: embedded with well-planned and mutually agreed upon structures, systems, supports, and working norms; with a culture that fosters, and allows for, dynamic and creative teaching and learning experiences; in which all stakeholders are provided with genuine opportunities for leadership, shared responsibility, and to demonstrate authentic voice; and that value positive discourse conducted in an honest, thoughtful, well-researched manner, utilizing all data and anecdotal evidence as a foundation in which to drive success for all.