An Educator...An Innovator...A Leader

My professional and educational experience includes a variety of extensive opportunities in both the public and private sectors.  I relocated to Georgia after joining the Teach for America Program, and currently teach elementary school in the Dekalb County School System.  I am a graduate of the University of Missouri where I received a dual degree in Public Policy Administration and Political Science. Additionally I will receive a Master’s Degree in Public Policy Administration from Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies in 2009.  While attending the University of Missouri, I was a Consultant with AT&T, focusing much of my energy on assisting business and government clients in developing wireless telecommunication networks.                            
 
In combination with teaching in the public school system, my post-graduate education and my professional experience have provided me a working knowledge of the intricate details involved with managing a government.  Specifically, I have completed a great deal of research and studies involving public budgeting, economics, zoning, education policy, and public administration.

I have also completed numerous internships and fellowships, primarily within the public policy and administration industry.  To highlight a few opportunities, I have served as an intern to United States Senator Mary Landrieu, worked as the Assistant to the Chairman of the Missouri House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, advocated for public policy as a student advocate for the University of Missouri, and most recently, completed a program with the Attorney General's Office of the District of Columbia as an Associate in the Health and Professional Regulations Division. 

Additionally, I am the founder of a nonprofit foundation with the purpose of educating the public on tolerance for minorities as well as to provide educational scholarships to minority students. Throughout these endeavors, I have raised nearly one million dollars for a variety of nonprofit organizations including the American Cancer Society, Doorways Housing, American Red Cross, Georgia Equality, YouthPride, numerous HIV/AIDS awareness organizations, Food Outreach, and the United Way.

It is difficult to anticipate each and every challenge one will encounter as a School Board Representative. I am very confident that my strong professional background in both public and private industries, extensive education in the functions of public policy and administration, and proven dedication to improving the quality of education, qualify me to serve diligently and effectively on the Atlanta School Board.  I have experienced the dual hardships of being a business owner and a working college student, the difficulty of collaborating with bureaucracy throughout many encounters, the effects of budget mismanagements and cuts, the impact of taxation, the dire condition of our education system, and discrimination as a minority.  Given these qualifications, combined with my true desire to serve the public in an honorable manner, I ask for your vote and support as your next Atlanta School Board Member this November.