Community Involvement
I grew up as a first-generation college graduate, earning a B.A., B.S., and Master’s of Science from The University of Wisconsin- Madison. Public Education has always been important in my life. Added up, the time I’ve spent consecutively with each of our children in Public Schools totals 43 years.
Years spent bringing in needed supplies, attending programs and conferences, PTA meetings, donating and making costumes for plays and recitals, going on field trips, staying in contact with teachers and recognizing them for the valuable work they did with our children. It meant meeting with administrators advocating for my children, several who had IEP’s, and actively seeking out support from administration when I saw a need in the classroom not being met for teachers.
Although those experiences aren’t easily put into a neat line, involved parents of school children fully understand all that goes into being part of their child’s school. If elected your school board representative I will help inform and listen to parent’s needs. Below are some of the ways I’ve been able to serve and participate in my community over the years.
Building Community Through Service
Boy Scouts of America- Cub Scout volunteer and participation with two of our sons
Awana Children’s ministry program, The Orchard Church Barrington- participation of four children and fill-in volunteer
Mom’s On a Mission for Service M.O.M.S., School volunteer and supply donations
White Oak Baptist Church Archer Lodge- helped develop and write Church Policy for care and operation of programs for children. Volunteer Sunday School program. Husband serves as a Deacon.
Shulman Chess Club, volunteer participation of two children
Illinois Music Educators Association Music Competition- served as a judge at competition, and had one student participate
Homeowner’s Association volunteer board member: 2000-2004 Treasurer oversaw million-dollar capital and operating budget for California development: 2010-2014 Assistant Treasurer/Social and Landscape Committee Chair Illinois development: 2014-2016 Secretary Illinois development: 2018-2020 Secretary North Carolina Development
Recreational Participation & Volunteering
USA Swimming- Illinois Swimming Dundee Dolphins; Tarheel Swimming Association Riverwood Rays- volunteer and participation of four children
NCCSA/NCISAA soccer, Barrington Area Soccer Association, Clayton Area Recreational Soccer - family volunteer coaching and participation of six children
NCCSA Athletics, Northern Illinois Girls Feeder Basketball Association, Barrington Area youth Recreational Basketball, Clayton Area youth Recreational Basketball- family volunteer coaching, volunteer concessions, participation of five children
Illinois Boys/Girls Lacrosse Association, participation of two children
NCISAA Baseball, Clayton Area Recreational Baseball, Barrington Area Baseball/T-ball- volunteer and participation of 3 students
Educational Advocacy Work
The Johnston County Report -2020 to current Writing in-depth education op-eds and news pieces. First to write an Expose on Panorama Education in May 2020 detailing the data collecting, social scoring surveys now tied to Attorney General Merrick Garland.
John Locke Foundation Grassroot Parent Council- member of the newly developing council of informed parents across North Carolina. Weekly and bi-weekly meetings to forward important topics, discuss policy, share regional information, including the newly developed statement of parent’s bill of rights, written by leader of the JL Council Kelly Mann.
Joco Parent & School Advocate- Maintained social media page with 1.1k following. Fielded and answered emails and calls, navigated and helped parents, employees, and students with school issues directing them to appropriate channels. Met with willing School Board members. Researched and provided answers to questions regarding Johnston County Schools. Shared investigative research which informed the public on the workings of policy and training inside our schools. Thru anonymous sources and records requests acquired documents to expose the detrimental practices being forwarded by the Equity Department, effectively forcing the dissolution of the main office of equity Summer of 2021.
Civic Involvement
Citizen Advocates for Accountable Government CAAG, Education Chair- helped in the writing of the Johnston County Schools anti-CRT policy 5100, including email and phone campaigns to forward the passage of the anti-CRT policy. Provided source documents to the Johnston County Commissioners to verify that CRT was in the schools. Wrote historical, current, and informational speeches and delivered presentations across the state of North Carolina. Included topics: Critical Race Theory; Gender Theory; Law, History, and Racism in School Segregation in North Carolina; and Building Coalitions to Effect Change. Met with policy and law makers including State Superintendent Catherine Truitt to encourage a conservative movement for a return to excellence in our schools. Developed a successful plan to re-open school board meetings to in-person for parents in Johnston County, helped plan peaceful School Board protests. Continue to travel and work on building county chapters of CAAG across North Carolina.
Johnston County Republican Party volunteer- weekly volunteer from June 2020 through current. Helped run tent events, worked polling locations, organized headquarters, worked voter registration, disseminated campaign literature and put signs out across the county. Bundled signs for polls, worked as a poll observer, and attended party events and meetings. Helped organize County Convention and volunteered on the floor. Produced and edited video for party use. Organized the Johnston County GOP Volunteer Dinner, hosting Lt. Governor Mark Robinson as Keynote Speaker.
Trump for Victory campaign volunteer- weekly door knocking, put out signs, volunteered at the Mike Pence event as VIP usher/greeter, volunteered at the Women for Trump event in seating and VIP greeting, attended events as requested and invited to support the campaign.