Additional Information

Advanced to a runoff for Texas House District 37 in the 2024 Democratic primary election.
 

Candidate Survey Responses

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RESPONSES TO THE 2024 ATPE CANDIDATE SURVEY:

1. If elected, what are your top priorities for public education?

If elected, my top priorities for public education will be:

Increasing Pay for Educators and Staff: I will work tirelessly to raise the salaries of teachers, counselors, and school staff. They play a critical role in shaping the future of our children, and they deserve to be fairly compensated for their dedication and hard work.

Enhancing School Security and Safety: I am committed to making our schools safer. I will push for comprehensive security measures to ensure that every student and staff member can learn and work in a secure environment.

Expanding Workforce Development and Technical Training: I believe in preparing our students for the demands of the modern economy. I will advocate for more opportunities in workforce development and technical training, so our students are well-equipped for their futures.

Supporting Retired Educators: I will also focus on supporting our retired educators. They have dedicated their lives to teaching our children, and I will ensure they receive the benefits they deserve, including working towards securing a 13th check for them.

2. Voucher programs take many forms (tax credits, scholarships, education savings accounts, etc.) and are either universal or aimed at specific subpopulations (special education students, low-income students, students attending schools with poor A-F accountability ratings, etc.). Would you vote to create a voucher program of any type to pay for students to attend non-public K-12 schools, such as private or home schools?

I would not vote to create a voucher program of any type to pay for students to attend non-public K-12 schools, such as private or home schools. My priority is to ensure that public schools are well-funded and equipped to provide a high-quality education to all students. Diverting funds to voucher programs could undermine public education by reducing the resources available to our public schools, which serve the vast majority of students, including those who are most in need. I believe in strengthening public education and ensuring every child has access to the best education possible within our public school system.

3. In 2023, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 3 requiring a number of new school safety measures. However, many believe the Legislature did not adequately increase funding to cover the cost of the mandates in HB 3 or other locally adopted school safety measures. How would you work to make schools safer and ensure such initiatives are properly funded?

To make our schools safer and ensure that safety initiatives are properly funded, I would take the following steps:

Advocate for Increased Funding: I will push for additional state funding specifically earmarked for school safety measures. This includes advocating for amendments to HB 3 or new legislation that provides schools with the financial resources they need to fully implement the required safety measures without burdening local budgets.

Collaborate with Local Authorities: I would work closely with school districts, local law enforcement, and community leaders to identify the specific safety needs of each district. This collaboration would help tailor funding and resources to the unique challenges faced by schools in different areas.

Seek Federal Grants and Partnerships: I will explore federal grant opportunities and public-private partnerships to supplement state funding. By leveraging additional resources, we can ensure that schools have access to the latest safety technology and training.

Prioritize Transparency and Accountability: I will advocate for clear reporting and accountability measures to ensure that any funds allocated for school safety are used effectively. Schools and districts should be required to report on how the funds are being spent and the impact of these expenditures on improving safety.

Support Comprehensive Safety Plans: I will support initiatives that go beyond physical security measures to include mental health services, anti-bullying programs, and other preventive strategies that contribute to a safer school environment.

4. Despite a record-breaking surplus of $38 billion during the 2023 legislative session, school funding formulas were not increased to keep pace with inflation since they were last adjusted in 2019. Do you believe Texas public schools should receive additional funding? If so, how should the state pay for it?

Yes, I firmly believe that Texas public schools should receive additional funding, especially given the significant budget surplus and the rising costs due to inflation since 2019. Ensuring our public schools are adequately funded is essential to providing a high-quality education for all students, attracting and retaining talented educators, and supporting the diverse needs of our student population.

To pay for this increased funding, I would advocate for the following approaches:

Utilize the Budget Surplus: Given the record-breaking $38 billion surplus, a portion of these funds should be directly allocated to increase the school funding formulas. This one-time infusion could help address immediate needs and provide a cushion as the state adjusts its long-term funding strategies.

Adjust the Permanent School Fund and Available School Fund: I would support reviewing and potentially adjusting the mechanisms that distribute money from the Permanent School Fund and Available School Fund. By ensuring these funds are effectively contributing to school financing, we can provide more stable, long-term support for public education.

Reevaluate Corporate Tax Breaks and Incentives: I believe it’s important to review the current tax breaks and incentives offered to corporations and other entities. Some of these funds could be redirected to public education, ensuring that our schools are prioritized in state spending.

Support for a Balanced Tax Approach: I would consider advocating for a more balanced approach to state revenue, where different sectors contribute fairly to public education. This could involve modernizing the state’s tax system to ensure a more consistent revenue stream for schools.

5. Texas has faced growing teacher shortages in recent years, with many schools hiring uncertified teachers to fill the gaps. How would you work to ensure Texas public schools have an adequate number of trained and certified teachers?

To address the growing teacher shortages in Texas and ensure that our public schools have an adequate number of trained and certified teachers, I would focus on the following strategies:

Increase Teacher Salaries and Benefits: One of the most effective ways to attract and retain certified teachers is by offering competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. I would advocate for significant salary increases for teachers, ensuring they are compensated fairly for their essential work. Additionally, I would support expanding benefits, such as healthcare and retirement plans, to make the teaching profession more attractive.

Provide Loan Forgiveness and Financial Incentives: I would support programs that offer loan forgiveness, scholarships, and signing bonuses for teachers, particularly for those who commit to working in high-need areas or underserved communities. These financial incentives can help alleviate the burden of student debt and make the profession more accessible to aspiring educators.

Invest in Professional Development and Support: To keep certified teachers in the profession, I would advocate for more robust professional development opportunities and support systems. This includes mentorship programs for new teachers, ongoing training for experienced educators, and resources for classroom management and instructional strategies.

Improve Working Conditions: Addressing the working conditions in schools is crucial for retaining teachers. I would work to reduce class sizes, ensure teachers have adequate planning time, and provide the necessary classroom resources. Additionally, I would support measures to improve school safety and create a more positive work environment.

Streamline Certification Processes: While maintaining high standards, I would advocate for making the certification process more accessible and efficient. This could involve providing more support for teachers to meet certification requirements and expanding alternative certification pathways for those who wish to transition into teaching from other careers.

Recruitment Campaigns: I would support statewide and local recruitment campaigns that highlight the value and importance of the teaching profession. These campaigns would aim to attract new talent to the field by showcasing the impact teachers have on their communities and the rewards of a teaching career.

Strengthen Teacher Preparation Programs: I would advocate for strengthening teacher preparation programs at colleges and universities, ensuring that future teachers are well-prepared for the challenges of the classroom. This includes increasing partnerships between school districts and higher education institutions to provide more hands-on training and internships for education students.

6. Inadequate compensation hampers the recruitment and retention of high-quality educators. Do you support a state-funded across-the-board pay raise for all Texas educators?

Yes, I strongly support a state-funded across-the-board pay raise for all Texas educators. Inadequate compensation is a significant barrier to attracting and retaining high-quality educators, and it is essential that we address this issue to ensure the future success of our students and the strength of our public education system.

A state-funded pay raise would demonstrate that we value the critical role educators play in our society and recognize the increasing demands placed on them. By improving compensation, we can help to retain experienced teachers, attract new talent to the profession, and ultimately enhance the quality of education in Texas.

This pay raise should be substantial enough to make a meaningful difference in educators' lives, helping them to meet the cost of living and rewarding them for their dedication and hard work. It’s an investment in our educators that will pay dividends in the form of better student outcomes, stronger communities, and a more prosperous future for Texas.

7. The high cost of health insurance available to educators is a significant factor decreasing their take-home pay. How would you address the challenge of rising health care costs facing Texas educators and ensure access to affordable health care?

To address the challenge of rising health care costs facing Texas educators and ensure they have access to affordable health care, I would focus on the following actions:

Increase State Funding for Educator Health Insurance: I would advocate for the state to increase its contribution to the TRS-ActiveCare program, which provides health insurance for Texas educators. By boosting state funding, we can reduce the out-of-pocket costs that educators face, making their health insurance more affordable.

Expand Access to Alternative Health Plans: I would support legislation that allows educators to choose from a variety of health insurance plans, including more affordable options tailored to their needs. This could involve creating a statewide insurance pool or negotiating better rates with insurance providers to offer lower-cost plans with comprehensive coverage.

Implement Cost-Saving Measures in Health Care: I would push for reforms that address the underlying causes of rising health care costs, such as high prescription drug prices and hospital fees. By promoting transparency in pricing and encouraging the use of generic medications, we can help bring down the overall cost of health care for educators.

Incentivize Wellness Programs: I would advocate for wellness programs that encourage preventive care and healthy living among educators. These programs can help reduce long-term health care costs by preventing chronic conditions and promoting overall well-being.

Support for Mental Health Services: Recognizing the increasing stress and mental health challenges faced by educators, I would work to ensure that mental health services are included in health plans and are accessible without high out-of-pocket costs. Comprehensive mental health support is critical to the overall health of educators.

Explore Public-Private Partnerships: I would encourage the exploration of public-private partnerships that could offer more innovative and affordable health care solutions for educators. Collaborating with health care providers and insurance companies could lead to new models of care that reduce costs while maintaining high-quality services.

Legislative Oversight and Accountability: I would support the creation of a legislative oversight committee to monitor the effectiveness of the TRS-ActiveCare program and other educator health plans. This committee would ensure that these programs remain affordable, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of educators.

8. What do you feel is the proper role of standardized testing in the Texas public education system? For instance, should student test scores be used as a metric in determining teacher pay, school accountability ratings, evaluating teachers, measuring student progress, etc.?

Standardized testing can play a role in the Texas public education system, but it must be balanced and used appropriately to ensure it benefits students, teachers, and schools without causing undue stress or narrowing the curriculum. Here's how I view the proper role of standardized testing:

Measuring Student Progress: Standardized tests can be a useful tool for measuring student progress and identifying areas where students may need additional support. However, these tests should be one of multiple measures used to assess student learning, rather than the sole determinant of a student's ability or progress. We should also ensure that tests are aligned with what is taught in the classroom and reflect a well-rounded education.

Informing Instruction: Data from standardized tests can help teachers identify strengths and weaknesses in their students' understanding, allowing them to adjust their instruction to better meet student needs. However, this data should be used to support teaching and learning, not to punish or overly restrict instructional methods.

School Accountability: While standardized test scores can provide some insight into school performance, they should not be the primary or sole metric used in school accountability ratings. Schools should be evaluated using a broader set of criteria, including student growth over time, the availability of enrichment opportunities, school climate, and the level of support for students with special needs.

Evaluating Teachers: I do not support the use of student test scores as a significant factor in determining teacher pay or evaluating teacher performance. Teaching is a complex and multifaceted profession, and reducing teacher evaluations to student test scores overlooks the many factors that influence student learning, many of which are beyond a teacher's control. Evaluations should consider multiple aspects of teaching, such as classroom observations, teacher contributions to the school community, professional development, and student feedback.

Reducing High-Stakes Pressure: The current high-stakes nature of standardized testing can create unnecessary stress for students, teachers, and schools, leading to a narrow focus on test preparation at the expense of a broader, more enriching education. I support efforts to reduce the pressure associated with standardized tests and to ensure that testing is used as a tool for learning and improvement, not as a punitive measure.

9. In your opinion, what is the proper balance between accommodating an individual parent’s or student’s wishes and the taxpaying community’s interest in directing and maintaining an optimal educational environment for the student population as a whole?

Striking the right balance between accommodating individual parent or student wishes and upholding the taxpaying community’s interest in maintaining an optimal educational environment for all students is crucial. Here's how I believe this balance can be achieved:

Prioritizing the Common Good: Public education serves the broader community by preparing students to become informed, productive citizens. Therefore, decisions about educational policies, curricula, and resources should primarily focus on what is best for the student population as a whole. This means ensuring that all students have access to a high-quality education that equips them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in life.

Respecting Parental and Student Input: Parents and students should have a voice in their education. It’s important to provide avenues for parental involvement and to respect individual preferences where possible, particularly when it comes to choices like electives, extracurricular activities, and alternative learning pathways. However, these accommodations should not compromise the educational standards or equity for other students.

Ensuring Equity and Inclusivity: The educational environment must be inclusive and equitable for all students, regardless of their background or personal beliefs. While accommodating individual wishes is important, it should not come at the expense of the rights and opportunities of other students. For example, while some parents may prefer certain curricular changes or opt-out provisions, these should not undermine the integrity of the educational system or the principle of providing every student with a well-rounded education.

Transparency and Community Engagement: Engaging the broader community in discussions about educational priorities and policies is essential. This can include public forums, surveys, and advisory committees that bring together parents, educators, and community members to discuss and address concerns. By fostering open communication, schools can better balance individual needs with community interests.

Flexibility Within a Framework: Schools should strive to offer flexibility where possible, such as through differentiated instruction, varied assessment methods, or elective course options. However, this flexibility should operate within a framework that ensures all students meet core educational standards and that the overall educational mission is not diluted.

Legal and Ethical Boundaries: Finally, it's important to recognize that some decisions must adhere to state and federal laws, as well as ethical standards that protect the welfare and rights of all students. Accommodations or changes that conflict with these laws or ethical considerations cannot be implemented, even if they reflect the wishes of a particular parent or group.

10. Do you believe the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) should be maintained as a traditional defined-benefit pension plan for all future, current, and retired educators, or do you support converting TRS to a defined-contribution structure that is more like a 401(k) plan, in which future benefits are not guaranteed?

I believe the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) should be maintained as a traditional defined-benefit pension plan for all future, current, and retired educators. The defined-benefit structure provides a stable and predictable source of income for educators in their retirement years, which is essential given the vital role they play in our society.

Converting TRS to a defined-contribution structure, like a 401(k) plan, would introduce significant risks for educators by making their retirement benefits subject to market fluctuations and potentially reducing their financial security. Educators, who often work for lower salaries compared to other professions, deserve the assurance of a guaranteed retirement benefit after dedicating their careers to teaching our children.

Maintaining the defined-benefit plan is not only a matter of fairness but also an important tool for attracting and retaining talented educators. A stable pension system helps ensure that experienced teachers remain in the profession and that new educators are drawn to a career in teaching.

In summary, I strongly support keeping the TRS as a traditional defined-benefit pension plan to provide security and stability for all Texas educators, both now and in the future.

11. State law allows educators and other public employees to voluntarily choose to join professional associations such as ATPE and have membership dues deducted from their paychecks at no cost to taxpayers. Do you support or oppose letting all public employees continue to exercise this right?

I support allowing all public employees, including educators, to continue exercising their right to voluntarily join professional associations and have their membership dues deducted from their paychecks. This option provides a convenient and cost-effective way for public employees to manage their professional commitments and stay engaged with organizations that support their interests and advocate on their behalf.

Maintaining this right is important for ensuring that educators and other public employees have access to the resources, training, and representation they need to succeed in their roles. It also respects their freedom to choose how they wish to engage with professional organizations, without imposing any additional cost on taxpayers.

In summary, I believe in upholding the rights of public employees to voluntarily join professional associations and have their dues deducted from their paychecks, as this supports their professional development and well-being while preserving their autonomy.

Additional Comments from Candidate on Survey

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I appreciate the opportunity to share my views on these critical issues facing Texas educators and public education as a whole. As someone deeply committed to the success of our schools, I believe that supporting our educators is one of the most effective ways to ensure a bright future for our students and our state.

If elected, I will work tirelessly to advocate for policies that enhance the quality of public education, provide fair compensation and benefits for educators, and ensure that every child in Texas has access to a high-quality education. I am committed to listening to the concerns of educators, parents, and the community, and to making decisions that reflect the values and needs of our district.

Thank you for considering my candidacy and for your dedication to the future of Texas public education. Together, we can build a stronger, more equitable education system for all.