My work has always been about building community. As a teacher, I guide students through the classroom challenges that shape who they will become. As a coach, I help them discover the value of teamwork, resilience, and believing in themselves. Guiding young people, seeing them gain confidence, and helping them achieve more than they thought possible has been one of the greatest joys of my life. But I also saw firsthand how schools struggle with underfunding, large class sizes, and a lack of resources. That’s what led me to become active in my teachers’ union, where I could advocate for change.  I’ve stood up for teachers and students, pushing for fair resources and stronger funding in our state's capital. At the same time, I joined community efforts like the Lake Oswego Schools Foundation and LO for Love, building partnerships to support equity, safety, and opportunity for all.  My career hasn’t been about politics; it’s been about people. And those experiences taught me that when we work together, we can create lasting change for our schools and communities.