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I am here to earn your vote.I would like to represent the families and educators of our community as a Governing Board Member for Chico Unified School District. As I prepare to return to school to teach my twelfth year of secondary science, I would like to tell you a little about myself.
Nearly 35 years ago I was born and raised just up the mountain from Chico in the small timber town of Chester, California. My family roots in that area can be traced back as far back as the 1800's. My extended family in the Lake Almanor basin is made up of blue-collar workers: building contractors, small business owners, nurses, teachers, wildland firefighters, members of the military, food services workers, a forester, an engineer, as well as stay-at-home parents. I have grown up understanding the many perspectives of people and believe our local representation should reflect the diversity of its constituents. |
In high school, inspired by an old veteran teacher who told me I would never make it because I am a woman, I aspired to become a fighter pilot (like my dad!) in the US Air Force. Instead of wanting to join the Marines like my father, I wanted to attend the United States Air Force Academy to pursue this dream and even began flying lessons at just 14 years old. I had to let that dream go when, at 15 years old, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and learned I would not be permitted into the military. Determined to overcome this first huge life obstacle, I decided to be a problem solver and attended UC Davis to earn my Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology. After graduating in 2007, I moved back to Chester and began coaching basketball and substitute teaching. Excited by working with our youth every day, I decided to further my career working with teens and became a science teacher.
I attended CSU Chico for my teaching credential and completed my certification as a hired intern at Chester Jr/Sr High school. I spent 4 years teaching 7-12th grade science in a variety of topics including Biology, Physics, Aquaculture, AP Environmental Science, Earth Science, Physical Science (high school), Life Science (high school), Junior High Life Science and Junior High Natural Resources. I wanted to teach in a larger community and Chico has always been a second home, and in 2013 I was hired to teach science at Marsh Junior High School and continue teaching the students at MJHS today.
I recently completed my Master of Science degree in Land Resources and Environmental Science. My thesis project was comparing the impact of active and passive management of forests in Plumas National Forest after a wildfire. Obtaining this degree has given me the education and experience to work with land owners in determining how to best sustainable manage their lands for environmental and economic health, while also maintaining social values of our private and public lands and watersheds in cooperation with our first nation populations. The coursework for this degree included hundreds of hours of scientific literature review, data analysis, and professional scientific writing. The program was primarily online, and that gave me a whole new perspective on how to best teach my students, once I was student again myself.
I've been a leader since I was a student at Chester Jr/Sr High School, continued honing my leadership skills during my four years teaching science in Chester, finishing my time in Plumas Unified School District as the Science Vertical Team Leader of the district. After moving to Forest Ranch to teach at Marsh Junior High School, I have become a teacher-leader in Chico Unified School District over the course of the seven years I have put in to this community.
I attended CSU Chico for my teaching credential and completed my certification as a hired intern at Chester Jr/Sr High school. I spent 4 years teaching 7-12th grade science in a variety of topics including Biology, Physics, Aquaculture, AP Environmental Science, Earth Science, Physical Science (high school), Life Science (high school), Junior High Life Science and Junior High Natural Resources. I wanted to teach in a larger community and Chico has always been a second home, and in 2013 I was hired to teach science at Marsh Junior High School and continue teaching the students at MJHS today.
I recently completed my Master of Science degree in Land Resources and Environmental Science. My thesis project was comparing the impact of active and passive management of forests in Plumas National Forest after a wildfire. Obtaining this degree has given me the education and experience to work with land owners in determining how to best sustainable manage their lands for environmental and economic health, while also maintaining social values of our private and public lands and watersheds in cooperation with our first nation populations. The coursework for this degree included hundreds of hours of scientific literature review, data analysis, and professional scientific writing. The program was primarily online, and that gave me a whole new perspective on how to best teach my students, once I was student again myself.
I've been a leader since I was a student at Chester Jr/Sr High School, continued honing my leadership skills during my four years teaching science in Chester, finishing my time in Plumas Unified School District as the Science Vertical Team Leader of the district. After moving to Forest Ranch to teach at Marsh Junior High School, I have become a teacher-leader in Chico Unified School District over the course of the seven years I have put in to this community.
I am a vocal and enthusiastic advocate. I have always been a champion of the people, lending my voice to those who feel they don't have a place to speak or who may be too timid to stand up for themselves. I am not afraid to roll up my sleeves and fight for something I believe in, and I want to do that for our students, families, and staff of Chico Unified School district and by extension our Chico area communities.
