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Background & Experience

I've lived in the DC area for most of my life, and my mother's family has lived in Virginia for many years. After getting my PhD in cognitive neuroscience from Rice University in 1992, my husband and I lived in Pennsylvania and North Carolina before deciding to return to Virginia to be closer to family in 2001. We've been here ever since, and my children all attended SCPS schools and  graduated from Stafford High School. 

My twenty years as a Stafford County parent have given me ample experience working with the schools, and I know that at times it can be challenging. In addition, my time spent as a psychology professor at the University of Mary Washington and St. Mary's College has given me a unique perspective on the needs of today's students. Some of my experiences and skills include:

Promoting County Accountability

  • Parent representative on elementary school redistricting committee (2004-2005).

  • Parent representative on middle school redistricting committee (2008).

  • Worked to keep Drew Middle School open (2008).

  • Parent representative on Drew Middle School principal selection committee (2013).

  • Falmouth representative on Stafford County Gifted Advisory Committee (2009-2013).

Enriching the Student Experience

  • Volunteered as MathCounts coach at Drew Middle (2006-2015).

  • Applied for and received grants to bring Virginia Science Museum and Virginia Opera to Falmouth Elementary.

  • Chaired Stafford High Senior Scholarship Essay Committee (2010-2011).

  • Organized and worked on Falmouth Elementary landscaping (2002-2008).

Building Community

  • Served on PTO at Falmouth Elementary (2002-2008), PTA at Drew Middle (2006-2009), and PTSA at Stafford High (2010-2011).

  • Chaired annual Falmouth Elementary Family Dance.

  • Organized annual Falmouth Elementary Screen Free Week.

  • Co-chaired 2007 Falmouth Elementary Spring Carnival.

Advocating for YOU

  • Strong critical thinking skills from years of conducting and evaluating psychology research on speech and language deficits. I understand statistics, and can read a budget, check numbers, and assess educational spending priorities.

  • Good communication and speaking skills from 15 years of teaching experience at the university level--and knowledge of what it's like to teach and work with students.

  • Experience negotiating the IEP/504 and gifted accommodations.

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