I was close to the previous Board of Education student delegates from Lowell, and they inspired me to “go for it.” As a Student Delegate, I will try and be a role model by being honest and a friend to other students. The Student Advisory Council is an amazing program for its inclusivity and mission to be a platform for student voice and engagement.

Equity is at the center of everything I do, ensuring every child has equal access to instruction in the classroom. I am always building my knowledge and seeking ways I can improve as an educator and building my capacity so I can show my best self when teaching and interacting with my students and colleagues. I teach my students the power of yet. That we are all still learning, and that it may take someone a little longer to learn something but as long as we’re getting better, as long as we’re improving, that's what really matters.

I know from my experience as an early education administrator and principal at Drew that it’s possible to change the game for students and their families in neighborhoods like the Bayview. But it takes focus, along with an all-hands-on-deck approach to improving instruction, school climate and more. To prevent the gap from undermining student success, children need a strong and seamless foundation of high-quality learning opportunities from PreK through third grade. That means teachers and school administrators need to talk across grades about how students are learning, what they are learning, what’s working, what’s not, and why.