My Record

I have taken initiative and opened up an investigation into the Native American Graduation rate, which is the lowest at 65%. I will be working with our Miccey-Vento program and community organizations to learn WHY this is the case, and will bring a report and recommendations to the board on how to fix this. 

As the Pacific Regional Director for the American Indian and Alaska Native Counsel, I am working to build a foundational structure to get Tribes more involved in education conversations on the national level. Because I am Native, there is trust with our nations since we are family. Historically we have been left out of many of these conversations and I am working hard to ensure we have a seat at the table again. 

I have opened up and investigation into the resoning behind the reason why our houseless students are dropping out at such high rates. (10%) I will be working with our Miccey-Vento program and community organizations to learn WHY this is the case, and will bring a report and recommendations to the board on how to fix this. 

I serve on the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance Executive Board, and we are working to end chronic homelessness in Marion-Polk Counties and get more funding so we can take care of our most vulnerable populations. Because of my experience being homeless, I understand this on a deeper level than most and already have relationships with many homeless folks in our community. 

We have had zero structure around what a board member orientation looks like. When I joined 4 years ago I was told I will “learn as I go.” Of course I have put in MANY hours to learn, grow, and become a better board member, but having a boost of knowledge in the very beginning will definitely help new board members be good at their new role. OSBA does a great job at providing training, but we need some foundational training for new and old school board members on who to be a functional school board specifically in Salem-Keizer. 

I am on the Steering Committee for our Reimagining School Discipline project. As the original board member pushing for us to look at our disciplinary policies, I am glad to see that we have made traction. I have a good feeling about this group, and I know we will make a big difference. 

In my role as the Pacific Regional Director of the American Indian and Alaska Native Counsel, I am working to get unity from our tribes along the west coast, and build a structure that gives us a better voice at the table on the local and National level in regards to Educaiton of our kids.