My Three Core Priorities
Equity, Access, and Achievement
Creating an education system that truly serves every child requires a focused and interconnected approach.
That’s why I center my work on three core priorities: Equity, Access, and Achievement.
- Equity ensures that all students—no matter their background or ability—are seen, valued, and supported.
- Access removes the barriers—financial, linguistic, structural, and emotional—that too often keep students from fully participating.
- Achievement goes beyond test scores to nurture lifelong learners who are curious, confident, and prepared for life’s challenges.
Together, these priorities form the foundation for a school system where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
1. Equity: Every Child, Every Family, Every Voice
Equity means real opportunities for every student, and it requires daily commitment. I will work to ensure every student—regardless of race, ability, language, or background—feels seen, supported, and valued. Equity is about building a system that recognizes every child, respects every learner, and provides every student a genuine chance to thrive.
Revisiting Controlled Choice
Controlled choice was originally designed to balance opportunity across neighborhoods with different levels of privilege and resources. However, over time, policy shifts—like proximity preferences—have unintentionally reintroduced the very inequities the system was created to solve.
It’s time for a community-driven, equity-centered review of controlled choice—one that listens to families, respects school identities, and distributes opportunity fairly across the district.
Closing Opportunity Gaps
We must close opportunity gaps—not just measure achievement gaps. While achievement gaps reflect outcomes, opportunity gaps expose the deeper causes. To close them, I will expand:
- Early literacy
- Bilingual supports
- Culturally inclusive curriculum
- Special education resources
Equity means giving each student what they need—not giving everyone the same. This includes:
- Supporting diverse learning styles—visual, auditory, and hands-on
- Restoring creative, project-based learning
- Ensuring educator flexibility in curriculum and teaching
- Providing technology tools that enhance—not replace—human connection
- Making the Office of Student Services (OSS) more accessible and responsive
- Creating growth opportunities for all students: those catching up, those ready to excel, and everyone in between
Fostering Belonging
Every student deserves academic, social, and emotional support—and that begins with strong, inclusive communities at every level of our school system. Mental health, a sense of belonging, and trusting relationships are not extras—they are the foundation for student success.
Schools Are Where Belonging Begins
Our students spend most of their waking hours at school. While families are vital, schools have the greatest daily opportunity to support, guide, and uplift young people. We must create environments where students feel safe, valued, and loved, and are equipped with the tools they need to thrive—regardless of their background, family situation, or learning style.
When students feel connected and enjoy learning, they show up—not because they have to, but because they want to. Joy and belonging lead to engagement, and when that’s present, challenges like chronic absenteeism begin to fade.
Support the Adults Who Support Our Students
To build this kind of culture, we must also care for the adults who support our students every day, including:
- Classroom teachers
- Specialist teachers (art, music, PE, language instructors, etc)
- Paraprofessionals
- School psychologists, counselors, social workers, interventionists, and therapists
- Substitute teachers and other direct support staff
These educators are the ones closest to our students—they see their challenges, growth, and potential firsthand. Their voices must be respected in decision-making, and their well-being and professional autonomy must be actively supported.
Leadership Must Support, Not Silence
Teachers also need help from principals to create a school climate that supports collaboration and open communication about what they need. A culture of partnership starts with trust—and we must build that at every level.
What True Support Looks Like
Supporting our educators and staff means:
- Providing additional personnel in classrooms to meet diverse student needs
- Offering ongoing in-service training to understand and address unmet needs behind behaviors
- Fostering collaboration and open, two-way dialogue among teachers, principals, and district leaders
- Promoting transparency and trust at all levels to encourage honest communication and partnership in solving challenges
Prioritizing the mental health and wellness of staff and educators
Belonging Is for Everyone
Belonging isn’t just a student experience—it’s a system-wide practice. When the educators, paraprofessionals, and support staff who directly serve our students are supported, empowered, and respected, everyone benefits. Adults and students learn from each other—and succeed together.
Because that’s what education truly is: a shared journey of growth, trust, and human connection.
Building a Culture of True Community Engagement
Regular town halls, multilingual outreach, and co-created policymaking are just the starting point. We need two-way, ongoing dialogue—not just updates from leadership.
I will work to create a culture of shared responsibility and trust, where families and educators help identify challenges and co-create solutions. We move forward when we move together.
2. Access: Support, Transparency, and Opportunity for All
Access means removing all barriers—financial, structural, linguistic, and emotional—to ensure every student has what they need to succeed.
Expanding Equitable Learning Pathways
Every child learns differently. Our schools should reflect that by offering more options, not fewer. I support expanding:
- Montessori programs
- Language immersion programs
- Project-based learning models
These are not “extras” for gifted students—they are essential, equitable pathways for diverse learners.
Cambridge has a proud history of alternative schools like Graham and Parks, Cambridgeport, and King Open, which emphasized student-centered, hands-on learning. We must build on that legacy—not limit it.
I also support new, creative pathways such as:
- STEAM education
- Global studies
- Design and bilingual enrichment programs
Resource Transparency and Supporting Educators
We must ensure funding reaches classrooms, student services, and families. I support:
- Clear and equitable budget transparency
- Professional autonomy and development for educators
- Wellness resources for all staff
Welcoming Families
Communication must overcome language and technology barriers. Every family deserves to be well-informed, respected, and included—no one should have to fight to be heard.
Currently, many families are unaware of the supports and resources available to them—or of the rights and services they are entitled to. That needs to change.
I will ensure schools are proactive in welcoming all families into partnership. When small families feel seen and supported, our one big family—the school community—thrives.
3. Achievement: Academic Excellence and Joyful Learning
Achievement is more than test scores—it’s about nurturing lifelong learners, compassionate citizens, and creative problem-solvers.
Academic Excellence
We must set high expectations through inclusive, culturally responsive instruction that celebrates different ways of learning.
Tailored Support for All Learners
- For students with IEPs: Too many families must push hard to get the services their children need. I support increasing trained staff, improving two-way communication, and starting early to identify student needs. With the right support and inclusive environments, students with IEPs can thrive.
- For students below grade level or with social-emotional needs: Many of these students don’t qualify for IEPs and are often overlooked. I will advocate for targeted interventions and instructional strategies that build confidence and emotional resilience.
- For advanced learners: These students also need challenge and support. I propose advanced coursework, enrichment programs, independent projects, and mentorships, with teacher training and tools to differentiate instruction so every student can grow and stay engaged.
Joyful Learning and Well-Being
When students feel safe, inspired, and connected, learning comes alive. I support:
- Positive school climates rooted in kindness and inclusion
- Expanded mental health resources
- Anti-bullying initiative
Life Skills for Success
Our students deserve more than academics. I propose integrating:
- Financial literacy
- Digital responsibility
- Time management
- Home economics
- Interpersonal communication
These skills should be taught from elementary through high school to prepare students for independence and lifelong learning.
Thoughtful Assessment and Meaningful Feedback
Assessments should be a tool for growth, not judgment. I support:
- Culturally sensitive, varied methods of evaluation
- Teacher leadership in shaping assessments
- Clear, constructive feedback for students and families
- Student and family voice in shaping how we measure success
Safe, Inspired Learning Environments
I support investments in:
- STEAM programs
- World and second languages starting in elementary school
- Partnerships with local universities and institutions
- Safe, inclusive, and updated school facilities
Partnership Matters
Educators, families, staff, and students deserve to be heard, respected, and empowered. I believe in a culture of true collaboration, with:
- Age-appropriate student voice
- Educator feedback loops
- Family participation
- Honest, two-way conversations with district leaders
I often describe our education system as a ferry:
Students are the passengers.
Educators are the navigators guiding the way.
Staff are the crew keeping everything running.
Families and community members are the supportive shore crew.
The School Committee serves as the lighthouse and compass—ensuring our values steer us forward.
A system built on equity and partnership is essential if we want this ferry to reach its destination: academic excellence, joyful learning, and long-term success for all children.
And here’s the truth: Neglecting even one learner weakens the entire system. Just like a hole in one corner of the ferry will eventually sink the entire vessel, inequity anywhere affects us all.
Systemwide Accountability and Maximize Efficiency
Cambridge invests among the highest per-student amounts nationally ($38,932.89 per student in 2023, DESE data). But high spending alone doesn’t ensure a high impact.
We must:
- Identify root causes where the system falls short
- Engage all stakeholders in honest, open conversations
- Eliminate inefficiencies that pull focus away from meaningful teaching and learning
- Align data, decisions, and actions to maximize value for students
Our students deserve a system that prioritizes not only academic success, but also mental well-being, creativity, joy, and life-readiness.