Additional Information

Candidate Survey Responses

RESPONSES TO THE 2026 ATPE CANDIDATE SURVEY:

If elected, what do you believe your primary role and responsibility as a State Board of Education (SBOE) member should be, particularly in comparison to or in coordination with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Legislature?

The State Board of Education exists to provide independent oversight of curriculum standards and instructional materials. While the Legislature sets law and TEA implements it, the SBOE’s role is to ensure those policies reflect educational best practices and the realities of real classrooms. The board should ground its decisions in research and professional expertise and represent the interests of students, educators, and communities—not political agendas. My experience as a teacher will help ensure that teachers voices are prioritized.

In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue facing public education in Texas?

Retention and hiring of certified teachers is the most pressing issue facing Texas public education. Chronic underfunding, low pay, and increasing political interference have driven educators out of the profession. The SBOE must support policies that strengthen certification standards, educator preparation, and working conditions so students have access to qualified, stable teachers.

If elected, what degree of input will you seek from educators, ATPE, and other educator organizations in policy decisions made by the SBOE? How would you seek that input?

Absolutely. Organizations like ATPE, UEA, and TSTA provide essential structures for educators to share their experience and expertise. While I am a practicing teacher in a Title I school, I know it’s critical to hear from the full diversity of voices these organizations represent. I would make myself accessible to educators who want to reach me and would regularly seek input from ATPE members in my district and across the state to inform my decision-making.

How much weight should the SBOE give to educator input when developing curriculum standards (known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or “TEKS”) and approving instructional materials?

Educator input should carry significant weight in the development of TEKS and the approval of instructional materials. Standards should be shaped by current teachers and researchers who understand classroom realities and student needs. Political pressure should never outweigh professional expertise when determining what students are expected to learn.

How should the SBOE approach curriculum and instructional materials decisions amid increased legislative emphasis on “parental rights”? What does meaningful parent engagement look like at the state level?

Parents are essential partners in education, and meaningful engagement includes transparency, open communication, and opportunities for public input. At the same time, curriculum decisions must remain grounded in professional standards and academic integrity. While parents should have a great deal of control over their own children’s education, no single parent or group should dictate what all students learn statewide.

Under HB 1605, the SBOE now reviews and approves TEA-developed instructional materials, including state-funded “Open Education Resource” options. How should the board balance local control and state oversight to ensure materials are high-quality and aligned to standards, as well as reflect Texas values without politicization? 

Under HB 1605, the SBOE should carefully review TEA-developed instructional materials to ensure they are accurate, aligned to TEKS, and educationally sound. Local districts should retain the authority to choose materials that best serve their communities. State oversight should focus on quality and alignment—not mandating a single approach—and reviews should rely on objective, research-based criteria developed with educator input. While I will try to remain open minded, I'm skeptical of the Bluebonnet Curriculum and await assessment results.

Texas is transitioning to new assessment and accountability systems under House Bill 8. The bill transfers board authority related to the testing and accountability system from the SBOE to TEA. What should the role of the SBOE be regarding the statewide testing and accountability system?

The SBOE should continue to advocate for an accountability system that looks beyond test scores. High-stakes testing should not be the primary driver of school ratings or personnel decisions. The board should push for systems that value student growth, graduation rates, access to enrichment, and overall school climate.

Should the SBOE retain its authority to veto or approve new charter applications? Should the board’s veto authority be expanded to include charter expansion requests? How can the board ensure transparency and community input in this process?

The SBOE should retain its authority to review and veto both new charter applications and charter expansion requests. Any publicly funded school should meet high standards for accountability, transparency, and demonstrated community need. Expanding charters without meaningful oversight undermines public trust and diverts resources from traditional public schools.

How should the SBOE ensure that curriculum standards and instructional materials meet the needs of students receiving special education services, English learners, and other diverse student populations?

The SBOE must ensure that TEKS and instructional materials are accessible and effective for students receiving special education services, English learners, and other diverse populations. Materials should include appropriate scaffolds, support differentiated instruction, and reflect the diversity of Texas students so every child has meaningful access to learning.

What steps should the SBOE take to make its processes, such as TEKS review committees, charter hearings, and instructional materials approvals, more transparent and accessible to educators and the public?

SBOE processes should be clear, accessible, and easy to follow. Educators and the public should be able to meaningfully participate in TEKS reviews, charter hearings, and instructional materials decisions without needing specialized legal or political knowledge. Transparency builds trust and leads to better outcomes.

Do you believe the SBOE should continue to have the authority to review and potentially veto any rulemaking actions taken by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)? Why or why not?

Yes. The SBOE’s oversight authority is critical to maintaining strong professional standards. It ensures teachers are prepared to teach, student needs are met, and certification decisions are grounded in research. Without this authority, it becomes much easier to lower standards in ways that harm both educators and students.

Additional Comments from Candidate on Survey

COMMENTS SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THE 2026 CANDIDATE SURVEY:

I am running for the State Board of Education because I believe classroom experience should guide education policy. Too often, education policy is shaped without meaningful input from educators who understand today’s classrooms. As a practicing teacher, I am committed to advocating for strong public schools, rigorous standards developed by experts, and systems that support—not punish—educators and students. I am grateful for ATPE’s role in elevating the voices of educators across Texas.