Additional Information

First elected to the Texas House in 2022. Running for re-election; current term expires January 2027.

Endorsed in the 2022 general election by Texas Parent PAC, a pro-public education organization that advocates for adequate and equitable funding of public schools, local control, teacher quality, and the prevention of private school vouchers.

Endorsed by the editorial board of the Austin American-Statesman in the 2022 general election. She also received their endorsement in the 2022 Democratic primary election.

Flores participated in a nonpartisan candidate forum hosted by the education-focused nonprofit organization Raise Your Hand Texas prior to the 2022 primary election. Watch video of that event here.

• HOUSE VOTE #1 - 2025: PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS

  Voted not to table (kill) an amendment to place the school voucher on the November ballot and allow voters to decide if they wanted school vouchers. ATPE supported the amendment and thus was against the motion to table.

  House Floor Amendment 3 by Rep. James Talarico (D–Round Rock) to Senate Bill 2 by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R–Conroe) and sponsored in the House by Rep. Brad Buckley (R–Salado), 89th Legislature, Regular Session. During its April 16, 2025, debate on school vouchers, the House voted to table this amendment, which would have placed the voucher on the ballot in November. (Record vote #244. View an official record of the vote in the House journal. The amendment was tabled and thus did not make it into the bill.)

• HOUSE VOTE #2 - 2025: PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS

  Voted no on a bill that established an education savings account (ESA) program. ATPE opposed the bill.

  Senate Bill 2 by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R–Conroe) and sponsored in the House by Rep. Brad Buckley (R–Salado), 89th Legislature, Regular Session. The bill would have established an education savings account (ESA) voucher program. On April 16, 2025, the House voted to pass the bill on second reading. (Record vote #286. View an official record of the vote in the House journal).

• HOUSE VOTE #3 - 2025: SCHOOL FUNDING/TEACHER PAY

  Voted yes on a bill that provided public school funding, teacher pay raises, and allotments for teacher preparation, among other things. ATPE supported the House’s version of the bill.  

  House Bill 2 by Rep. Brad Buckley (R–Salado), 89th Legislature, Regular Session. The version of the bill originally voted on by the House provided public school funding through the Basic Allotment, teacher pay raises, and allotments for teacher preparation. On April 16, 2025, the House voted to pass the bill on second reading. (Record vote #286. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.) This version of the bill was stripped in the Senate and replaced with a version that did not provide a significant increase to the Basic Allotment. The Senate version is the version that was signed by the governor.

• HOUSE VOTE #4 - 2025: STUDENT DISCIPLINE

  Voted no on a bill that provides teachers and administrators with more tools to handle student discipline. ATPE supported the bill.  

  House Bill 6 by Rep. Jeff Leach (R–Plano), 89th Legislature, Regular Session. The bill provides additional authority for teachers to remove disruptive students, mandates that removed students receive equivalent instruction or support while out of class, introduces a “return to class” plan, and requires school districts to offer telehealth mental health services. On April 15, 2025, the House voted to pass the bill on second reading. (Record vote #196. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.)

• HOUSE VOTE #5 - 2025: CELL PHONES

  Voted yes on a bill that requires students to put away their cell phones from bell to bell during the school day. ATPE supported the bill. 

  House Bill 1481 by Rep. Caroline Fairly (R–Amarillo), 89th Legislature, Regular Session. The bill requires school districts to adopt a written policy that prohibits student use of personal communication devices during the school day, with limited exceptions for students on 504 and IEP plans. On April 23, 2025, the House voted to pass the bill on second reading. (Record vote #425. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.)

• HOUSE VOTE #6 - 2025: TESTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY

  Voted yes on an amendment that would have added an accountability pause to the STAAR testing reform bill. ATPE supported this amendment. 

  House Floor Amendment 1 by Rep. Mary Gonzalez (D–El Paso) to House Bill 4 by Rep. Brad Buckley (R–Salado), 89th Legislature, Regular Session. The amendment would have provided a two-year pause on punitive accountability provisions in the Texas Education Code during the initial implementation of HB 4 so that districts could adopt the new testing system without concern over issues such as campus closure or district takeovers, which are closely tied to test scores. On May 13, 2025, the House voted against the amendment and passed the bill on third reading. (Record vote #2255. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.)

• HOUSE VOTE #7 - 2025: PARENTAL RIGHTS

  Voted no on an omnibus bill, dubbed the "Parents Bill of Rights", which restated existing rights and created new bans, compliance and reporting on various culturally divisive issues.

  Senate Bill 12 by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R–Conroe) and sponsored in the House by Rep. Brad Buckley (R–Salado), 89th Legislature, Regular Session. The bill largely bans diversity, equity, and inclusion practices for public schools, as well as transitioning assistance or student modifications (such as using a preferred name or pronoun), discussion of gender identification, and student clubs based on sex or gender; increases existing consent requirements for receiving physical and mental health care and switches consent for human sexuality curriculum from opt-out back to opt-in; adds new or enhanced state and local reporting requirements for facilities, ISD board members, library records, course syllabi, and suspected criminal activity; restates existing parental rights; requires additional opportunities for parental engagement with school boards and teachers; and creates new grievance processes.. On May 24, 2025, the House voted to pass the bill on second reading. (Record vote #3499. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.)

• HOUSE VOTE #8 - 2025: LIBRARY MATERIALS

  Voted no on a bill that impacted the rights and requirements associated with school library materials, including those in classroom libraries.  

  Senate Bill 13 by Sen. Angela Paxton (R–McKinney) and sponsored by Rep. Brad Buckley (R–Salado), 89th Legislature, Regular Session. The bill requires that teachers and librarians catalog the books in their libraries and post the lists online for parents to review and opt their child out of access to check out individual titles. It bans the inclusion of books in schools that include content that falls under updated definitions of harmful, indecent, or profane, and requires districts to create a library materials review committee if at least 20% of parents and students request it or at the discretion of the school board. The bill provided no funding to accomplish the significant mandates it requires. On May 26, 2025, the House voted to pass the bill on second reading. (Record vote #3580. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.)

• HOUSE VOTE #9 - 2025: SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING

  Voted yes on a bill that increases funding for special education by transitioning to service-intensity-based funding, among other provisions. ATPE supported the bill.  

  Senate Bill 568 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R–Houston) and sponsored by Rep. Brad Buckley (R–Salado), 89th Legislature, Regular Session. The bill transitions special education funding to eight service-intensity tiers beginning in 2026–27, increases extended school year funding, and requires annual school board discussions of special education performance. On May 28, 2025, the House voted to pass the bill on third reading. (Record Vote #3832. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.)

• HOUSE VOTE #10 - 2025: TEN COMMANDMENTS

  Voted no on a bill that would have required the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every classroom. ATPE opposed the bill. 

  Senate Bill 10 by Sen. Angela Paxton (R–McKinney) and sponsored by Rep. Candy Noble (R–Lucas), 88th Legislature, Regular Session. The bill requires every educator to display the Ten Commandments in their classroom. On May 24, 2025, the Senate voted to pass the bill on second reading. (Record Vote #3494. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.)

• HOUSE VOTE #11 - 2025: TESTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY

  Voted no on a bill that modifies and rebrands the STAAR test. ATPE was neutral on the bill with significant concerns, asking for a pause on punitive aspects of the accountability system and a commission to study the issue further. 

  House Bill 8 by Rep. Brad Buckley (R–Salado), 89th Legislature, Second Called Special Session. The bill creates a through-year testing framework and expands commissioner authority over the state’s accountability system, while also placing time restraints on the commissioner to notify districts about changes to the cut scores. On August 26, 2025, the House voted to pass the bill on second reading. (Record vote #76. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.)

• HOUSE VOTE #12 - 2025: TESTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY

  Voted no on concurring with Senate amendments to House Bill 8. ATPE was neutral on the bill with significant concerns, asking for a pause on punitive aspects of the accountability system and a commission to study the issue further. 

  House Bill 8 by Rep. Brad Buckley (R–Salado), 89th Legislature, Second Called Special Session. The bill creates a through-year testing framework and expands commissioner authority over the state’s accountability system, while also placing time restraints on the commissioner to notify districts about changes to the cut scores. The Senate stripped out a House amendment that would have reduced testing to the federal minimum. The Senate also added a comprehensive, newly adopted amendment that makes several significant modifications to testing and accountability policy. Read more about the Senate changes here. On September 3, 2025, the House voted to concur with Senate amendments. (Record vote #157. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.)

• House Vote #1 - 2023: PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS

  Voted for a budget amendment to prohibit state funds from being spent on private school vouchers. ATPE supported the amendment.

  House Floor Amendment 45 by Rep. Abel Herrero (D–Robstown) to House Bill 1 by Rep. Greg Bonnen (R–Friendswood), 88th Legislature, Regular Session. During its April 6, 2023, debate on the budget bill, the House passed this ATPE-supported amendment banning use of state funds for a private school voucher. (Record vote #111. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.) The amendment passed but was later stripped out of the final budget bill.

• House Vote #2 - 2023: CURRICULUM

  Voted for a bill that incentivized school districts to require educators to teach from prepackaged statewide curriculum designed by the Texas Education Agency.

  House Bill 1605 by Rep. Brad Buckley (R–Salado), 88th Legislature, Regular Session. The bill incentivizes school districts to require certain educators to teach from prepackaged statewide curriculum designed by the Texas Education Agency. Read more about the bill here. On May 3, 2023, the House voted to pass the bill on third reading. (Record vote #914. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.) The Legislature ultimately passed a Senate version of the bill.

• House Vote #3 - 2023: PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS

  Voted against a motion to allow the House Public Education Committee to meet for the purpose of voting on a new version of a private school voucher bill that had not been publicly vetted. The House refused to grant permission for the meeting.

  This vote taken May 10, 2023, prevented the House Public Education Committee from holding a previously unscheduled meeting to rush through a last-minute vote on a controversial voucher bill that had not been publicly vetted. Committee Chairman Brad Buckley (R–Salado) requested permission for his committee to meet while the full House was still in a floor session. Rep. Ernest Bailes (R–Shepherd) objected to the motion and called for a record vote. The vote denying permission for the committee to meet was a pivotal point in stopping the push for vouchers during the regular session. Read more about the vote here. (House Record vote #1464. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.)

• House Vote #4 - 2023: SCHOOL FUNDING

  Voted for a bill to change funding formulas for school districts and the minimum salary schedule.

  House Bill 100 by Rep. Ken King (R–Canadian), 88th Legislature, Regular Session. The bill intended to make funding formulas enrollment-based rather than attendance-based. It also called for condensing the minimum salary schedule to a three-tiered schedule covering 10 years, which ATPE opposed. On April 27, 2023, the House voted to pass the bill on third reading. (Record vote #595. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.) The Senate later added a private school voucher provision to the bill, which resulted in HB 100’s failure to pass.

• House Vote #5 - 2023: SCHOOL FUNDING

  Voted for an amendment to raise the Basic Allotment to $6,500. ATPE supported the amendment.

  House Floor Amendment 7 by Rep. Trey Martinez-Fischer (D–San Antonio) to House Bill 100 by Rep. Ken King (R–Canadian), 88th Legislature, Regular Session. The amendment would have increased the Basic Allotment from $6,250 to $6,500. On April 26, 2023, the House voted to reject the Martinez-Fischer amendment. (Record vote #564. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.)

• House Vote #6 - 2023: TEACHER PIPELINE

  Initially voted against an omnibus bill that proposed several regulatory changes and a one-time stipend of $2,000 for teachers. After the vote was taken, the representative entered formal comments in the House Journal indicating that she intended to vote for the bill. ATPE opposed the bill as insufficient in terms of providing a meaningful increase in educator compensation or enhancement of teachers' rights.

  Senate Bill 9 by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R–Conroe), sponsored in the House by Rep. Harold Dutton (D–Houston), 88th Legislature, Regular Session. Marketed as a “Teacher Bill of Rights,” SB 9 proposed a one-time stipend of $2,000 for teachers and several regulatory changes affecting the education profession. Read more about the bill and ATPE’s opposition to it here. On May 23, 2023, the House voted to pass the bill on second reading. (Record vote #2021. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.) The bill ultimately died in the House when it was withdrawn from consideration on third reading.

• House Vote #7 - 2023: TEACHER RECRUITMENT/RETENTION

  Voted for a bill to address teacher recruitment and retention through increased funding for incentive pay and other initiatives.

  House Bill 11 by Rep. Harold Dutton (D–Houston), 88th Legislature, Regular Session. This bill aimed to improve teacher recruitment and retention through increased funding for incentive pay and other initiatives. Read more about the bill and ATPE’s position on it here. On April 26, 2023, the House voted to pass the bill on second reading. (Record vote #563. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.) The bill later died in the Senate.

• House Vote #8 - 2023: SCHOOL SAFETY

  Voted against an omnibus school safety bill that provides funding to help schools comply with safety requirements. ATPE supported the bill.

  House Bill 3 by Rep. Dustin Burrows (R–Lubbock), 88th Legislature, Regular Session. This omnibus school safety bill provides $1.3 billion in school safety funding, calls for mental health training for school district employees, requires an armed officer at every campus, and allows the state to appoint a conservator to help school districts achieve compliance. The bill includes ATPE-recommended language limiting the scope of the conservator’s authority. On May 28, 2023, the House adopted the Conference Committee Report on HB 3, approving final passage of the bill. (Record vote #2229. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.)

• House Vote #9 - 2023: SCHOOL COUNSELORS

  Voted against a bill that removed the requirement for school counselors to have prior experience as a classroom teacher. ATPE opposed the bill.

  Senate Bill 798 by Sen. Mayes Middleton (R–Galveston), sponsored in the House by Rep. Brad Buckley (R–Salado), 88th Legislature, Regular Session. The bill removed the requirement for school counselors to have prior experience as a classroom teacher. On May 16, 2023, the House voted to pass the bill on second reading. (Record vote #1750. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.) The bill was finally passed the next day and ultimately became law.

• House Vote #10 - 2023: SCHOOL CHAPLAINS

  Voted against a bill that allows school districts to employ paid or volunteer chaplains for student counseling and support and requires school boards to adopt a policy on whether to use chaplains. ATPE opposes allowing chaplains not certified as school counselors to provide counseling services to students.

  Senate Bill 763 by Mayes Middleton (R–Galveston), sponsored in the House by Rep. Cole Hefner (R–Mount Pleasant), 88th Legislature, Regular Session. The bill allows school districts to employ paid or volunteer chaplains to support students without requiring them to be certified or trained as school counselors. SB 763 also requires each school board to vote on whether to adopt a policy authorizing the district’s use of chaplains. On May 8, 2023, the House voted to pass its version of the bill on second reading. (Record vote #1280. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.) The Legislature ultimately passed a compromise version of the bill.

• House Vote #11 - 2023: RETIREMENT

  Voted for a bill that provided a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and 13th check for retired educators. ATPE supported the bill.

  Senate Bill 10 by Sen. Joan Huffman (R–Houston), sponsored in the House by Rep. Greg Bonnen (R–Friendswood), 88th Legislature, Regular Session. The bill provides a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and 13th check for retired educators. On May 28, 2023, the House voted to adopt the conference committee report on SB 10, approving final passage of the bill. (Record vote #2210. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.)

• House Vote #12 - 2023: ACCELERATED INSTRUCTION

  Voted for a bill that modified the requirements for accelerated instruction to make them less burdensome for teachers and schools. ATPE supported the bill.

  House Bill 1416 by Rep. Keith Bell (R–Forney), 88th Legislature, Regular Session. The bill was a clean-up for 2021’s House Bill 4545 (87-R), which required accelerated instruction for students who failed a STAAR exam. Based on feedback from teachers and school districts, HB 1416 reduced the hours of accelerated instruction required per subject and raised the teacher-student ratio to make it more manageable. On May 19, 2023, the House voted to concur in the Senate amendments to HB 1416, approving final passage of the bill. (Record vote #1873. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.)

• House Vote #13 - 2023: LIBRARY BOOKS

  Voted against a bill establishing a rating system for and restricting certain content in school library materials.

  House Bill 900 by Rep. Jared Patterson (R–Frisco), 88th Legislature, Regular Session. The bill requires book vendors to rate books based on sexual content and the development of additional state standards. The bill also prohibits certain materials from public school libraries and requires parental notification and consent for student access to certain other library materials. Read ATPE’s written testimony on the bill here. On April 19, 2023, the House voted to pass HB 900 on second reading. (Record Vote #334. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.) The bill was ultimately approved by both the House and Senate and became law.

• House Vote #14 - 2023: PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS

  Voted for the Raney amendment that stripped voucher language from an omnibus education bill, thereby stopping the last attempt to pass vouchers through the Texas Legislature in 2023. ATPE supported the amendment.

  House Floor Amendment 2 by Rep. John Raney (R–Bryan) to House Bill 1 by Rep. Brad Buckley (R–Salado), 88th Legislature, fourth called Special Session. The amendment removed voucher provisions from an omnibus education bill, effectively stopping the last attempt to pass vouchers during the 2023 legislative sessions. Read more about the amendment here. On Nov. 17, 2023, the House voted to adopt the Raney amendment. (Record vote #56. View an official record of the vote in the House journal.)

Candidate Survey Responses

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RESPONSES TO THE 2026 ATPE CANDIDATE SURVEY:

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

Please describe any specific goals or legislative initiatives you would pursue to strengthen the state’s public education system.

We must drastically increase the state share of public school funding so that local school districts are best able to serve our students. I also believe our teachers and support staff should make living wages. Outside of the education funding, support for teachers and retirees, and helping rectify the learning loss suffered under COVID-19, I want to focus on increasing funding and access for arts education across grade levels and regardless of zip code, improve school lunches and education on nutrition and healthier lifestyles, and reduce inequities in broadband access and STEM especially for underserved parts of my district. I also believe with the private school voucher scam passing we need to pursue aggressive transparency and accountability measures as well as limit any expansion of the program. Last, I am strongly opposed to book bans, curriculum censorship, and attacks on people of color, immigrants, and LGTBQ Texans that are playing out in our public schools.

2. Public Education Funding:

The 89th Legislature passed an $8 billion school funding bill, HB 2. However, despite years of unanswered “inflationary challenges, a large majority of that funding was earmarked to specific programs and did not supply districts with significant flexible funding, leaving the majority of Texas students in districts with deficit budgets and other significant funding challenges. Do you believe Texas public schools should receive additional funding? If so, how should the state pay for it, and should that funding be earmarked at the state level or provide districts with flexible dollars?

Public school funding is a constitutional mandate and our most critical budgetary responsibility. The state has not paid its fair share historically, and while the investments in House Bill 3 (86R) help offset that shortfall there is still more to be done. Budget decisions are a question of our values. Instead of spending money on partisan priorities, we should invest in our children and their future as well as ensure better pay, benefits, and working conditions for our education professionals. Additionally, public school funding isn’t a matter of a one time fix, it must be a continuing conversation to ensure the Legislature is meeting the needs of our state. The best path forward is to raise the basic allotment of per pupil funding as well as all existing weights while exploring what new weights may need to be created. I believe in local control and that districts are best prepared to know about and meet local needs – as such, I believe we must give them budgetary flexibility within reasonable constraints.

3. ESA Vouchers:

Education savings accounts (ESAs) redirect public funds to private or home schools. How do you believe Texas should fund public schools, traditional and charter, alongside ESA vouchers? How should ESA spending be held accountable to taxpayers?

I am opposed to the voucher scam. I would like to see the program reversed and defunded with tax dollars instead spent on our neighborhood public schools. Vouchers do not have the same standards, accountability measures, or requirements that all students are served, nor are students and their families afforded many of the legal protections under state and federal law they would have at a public school.

4. Teacher Recruitment and Retention:

Under HB 2, passed in 2025, all educators in core content courses (math, English, science, and social studies) must be certified by 2030. While this is a good start, more can and should be done to ensure high-quality teachers continue to enter the classroom. What are your suggestions to improve the quality of the new teacher pipeline?

I believe recruitment and retention start with well paid jobs and respect and dignity in the workplace. First, we need to pay teachers a living wage. Next, we need to increase time for lesson planning and other preparatory work within the school day while reducing administrative tasks. Similarly, I am a first believer in the importance of mentorship and professional development in retention strategies. Last, we must push back against the attack on education professionals and the culture wars politics undermining the strength and integrity of our public school system. When it comes to recruitment, I am supportive of state and local grow your own programs, teacher residencies, and expanding partnerships between community colleges and local districts. I also believe we should look at providing housing assistance; salary stipends for rural, underserved, and hard to staff areas; and expanding student loan forgiveness programs.

5. Educator Pay and Benefits:

The 89th Legislature passed legislation creating a new mechanism to provide only classroom teachers with tiered raises based on early years of service and their district’s student enrollment. While the raises were significant, they did not apply to all campus educators, and the program created a significant negative funding stream at the district level due to unfunded increased costs for non-salary compensation tied to payroll, such as TRS retirement contributions. Do you support a state-funded across-the-board pay raise for all Texas educators? How would you ensure that compensation keeps pace with inflation and remains competitive with other professions?

Many of our teachers, first responders, and essential workers can no longer afford to live in the communities that they serve. Texas teachers deserve an across the board pay raise and we must work towards getting teacher pay above the national average in order to be able to attract and retain talented professionals. Similarly, our support staff such as cafeteria workers and bus drivers are also deserving of better pay and benefits. To keep up with inflation and be competitive the Legislature must provide increased funding to our local school districts – this can be achieved through raising the basic allotment, indexing school funding to inflation, and switching to an enrollment based funding model.

6. Educator Health Care:

The high cost of health insurance for active and retired educators continues to reduce take-home pay, with educators shouldering the vast majority of their ever-increasing heath care costs. How would you address the affordability and sustainability of educator health care, particularly the TRS-ActiveCare and TRS-Care programs?

Healthcare has increasingly become the highest cost for Texas families. We must ensure access to quality, affordable care for active and retired school employees. Similarly, we cannot allow healthcare benefits to merely be fungible – that is, we cannot cut services or raise premiums to offset other improvements in pay or benefits where the reality is there is still a burden being placed back on educators or retired educators. In addition, we must study and implement any needed reforms to ensure that in any future times of pandemic or other crisis that the regulatory framework provides flexibility in enrollments or changes and prioritizes access to care.

7. Retirement Security:

Do you believe the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) should remain a defined-benefit pension plan for all current and future members? If not, what is your plan to provide a secure retirement for Texas educators, particularly considering that state law has been set up such that most districts do not participate in Social Security?

I support maintaining TRS as a traditional defined benefit pension plan and am adamantly opposed to changing that. We must invest in TRS so that the actuarial soundness of our pension system is not in question as well as provide for a long-overdue cost of living adjustment for our retirees. Similarly, when funding is supplied we cannot merely offset it by increasing premiums or making cuts to TRS Care or other benefits that merely shifts the burdens for our retirees. Furthermore, I support reforming the Windfall Elimination Provision and permitting education employees to access social security.

8. Accountability and Assessment Reform:

The Legislature has passed a new “through-year” multi-test model under HB 8. What role should standardized testing play in evaluating students, teachers, and schools? Should test results continue to determine A–F accountability ratings or teacher pay?

While some testing is required by the federal government, at the state level we must take action to eliminate those tests not required as well as generally reduce our over-reliance on standardized testing. These tests do not measure learning and are not a good indicator of teacher performance or the progress made in the classroom.

9. Parental Rights and Community Voice:

Recent legislative debates have focused on “parental rights” in education. In your view, what is the appropriate balance between accommodating the often conflicting wishes of individual parents while maintaining policies that reflect the broader community’s educational priorities and still providing consistency and an appropriate level of professional deference to educators?

The parental rights debate has largely been weaponized as an attack on our public schools and educators by organizations wishing to expand their particular worldview. Individual parents had existing mechanisms to not participate in certain curriculum, like sex education, where they may have different view points. While parents have the right to make decisions for their children – so long as their health, safety, and welfare is not in question – this should not come at the detriment of the rest of society. I am highly opposed to the political attacks on our schools, educators, and local school districts and believe they jeopardize education outcomes, economic competitiveness, and how prepared our children will be to enter the workforce or continue their education.

10. School Safety:

HB 3 (2023) imposed new school safety requirements but did not fully fund them. Although the 89th Legislature increased the School Safety Allotment, many districts continue to face substantial unfunded staffing and facility costs associated with school safety laws. How would you make schools safer and ensure the state provides adequate funding to meet safety mandates?

I am opposed to unfunded mandates, especially for our already-underfunded public schools. The Legislature should have fully funded school safety not put the burden on local districts – many of whom regularly seek exceptions due to cost and logistical challenges. In addition to focusing on physical safety, I believe we must invest in early childhood interventions, social-emotional learning, conflict resolution, and mental health. Additionally, I am concerned about proposals that would permit school marshalls or armed volunteers in schools. While they may be well intentioned, I believe if anyone is carrying a gun on campus they should be properly employed, licensed, and receiving regular training.

11. Curriculum and Local Control:

What do you believe is the proper role of the State Board of Education, the Texas Education Agency, and local school districts in setting curriculum standards and selecting instructional materials?

My father was one of the founders of LULAC and I got my start at the Texas Legislature working for Rep. Irma Rangel. I carry their lessons with me to this day–including remembering who you are, where you came from, and what you are fighting for. It’s critical that our children are taught real history and able to freely discuss current events. The classroom is exactly the place for such discussion. We need to worry less about banning books and controlling speech and more about fostering creative and critical thinking to prepare our children to go to college or enter the workforce upon graduation and be responsible and knowledgeable citizens of the world.

12. Educator Rights and Professional Associations:

State law allows educators and other public employees to voluntarily join professional associations such as ATPE and have membership dues deducted from their paychecks at no cost to taxpayers. Do you support or oppose allowing public employees to continue exercising this right? Why or why not?

I support this right. I believe voluntary payroll deduction is a critical component of the ability of workers to organize for better pay, improved benefits, and for respect and dignity.

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DID NOT RESPOND TO THE 2024 CANDIDATE SURVEY.
 

RESPONSES TO THE 2022 ATPE CANDIDATE SURVEY:

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

Outside of the education funding, support for teachers and retirees, and helping rectify the learning loss suffered under COVID-19, I want to focus on increasing funding and access for arts education across grade levels and regardless of zip code, improve the school breakfast/lunch program and education on nutrition and healthier lifestyles, and reduce inequities in broadband access and STEM especially for undeserved parts of my district. Texas used to be a leader in public education policy and outcomes, it's time we are again.

2. What are your recommendations for funding public education, including securing the necessary revenue to sustain the improvements made by House Bill 3 in 2019? Do you believe additional funding is needed?

Public school funding is a constitutional mandate and our most critical budgetary responsibility. The state has not paid its fair share historically, and while the investments in House Bill 3 (86R) help offset that shortfall there is still more to be done. Budget decisions are a question of our values. Instead of spending money on partisan priorities, we should invest in our children and their future as well as ensure better pay, benefits, and working conditions for our education professionals. Additionally, public school funding isn’t a matter of a one time fix, it must be a continuing conversation to ensure the Legislature is meeting the needs of our state.

3. How would you address the challenge of rising health care costs facing Texas educators and ensure that active and retired educators have access to affordable health care?

Healthcare has increasingly become the highest cost for Texas families. We must ensure access to quality, affordable care for active and retired school employees. Similarly, we cannot allow healthcare benefits to merely be fungible – that is, we cannot cut services or raise premiums to offset other improvements in pay or benefits where the reality is there is still a burden being placed back on educators or retired educators. In addition, we must study and implement any needed reforms to ensure that in any future times of pandemic or other crisis that the regulatory framework provides flexibility in enrollments or changes and prioritizes access to care.

4. 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 plan that is more like a 401(k) plan, in which future benefits are not guaranteed?

I support maintaining TRS as a traditional defined benefit pension plan and am adamantly opposed to changing that. We must invest in TRS so that the actuarial soundness of our pension system is not in question as well as provide for a long-overdue cost of living adjustment for our retirees. Similarly, when funding is supplied we cannot merely offset it by increasing premiums or making cuts to TRS Care or other benefits that merely shifts the burdens for our retirees. Furthermore, I support reforming the Windfall Elimination Provision and permitting education employees to access social security.

5. 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 for teacher pay, school accountability ratings, evaluating teachers, measuring student progress, etc.?

While some testing is required by the federal government, at the state level we must take action to eliminate those tests not required as well as generally reduce our over-reliance on standardized testing. These tests do not measure learning and are not a good indicator of teacher performance or the progress made in the classroom.

6. Would you vote to create any type of voucher, tax credit, scholarship, education savings account, or other program aimed at paying for students, including any subpopulation of students, to attend non-public K-12 schools, such as private or home schools?

Public dollars should not be spent on private schools. I am committed to resisting voucher schemes in any form.

7. 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 this right. I believe voluntary payroll deduction is a critical component of the ability of workers to organize for better pay, improved benefits, and for respect and dignity.

8. What role, if any, should charter schools have in the public education system, and do you feel the number of charter schools operating in Texas should be reduced or expanded?

I do not support the rapid expansion of charter schools. This is not what was intended when charter schools were first created nearly thirty years ago. Additionally, they must be held to the same levels of transparency and accountability as traditional public schools.

9. How much freedom should school districts have to make decisions during disease outbreaks, such as requiring face coverings and immunizations or transitioning to remote instruction?

I support local districts in being able to make the decisions that are best for their communities. While some state standards or regulatory framework may make sense, the local school boards and district staff are closest to their community in terms of understanding the needs and best situated to respond. If masks, immunizations, temporary virtual learning, or otherwise are what is needed, they should be able to make those decisions without partisan political agendas coming into play. Also I believe schools should be subject to OSHA regulations to ensure campus safety.

10. What do you believe is the proper role of virtual education within the public education system? Do you believe full-time virtual education should be expanded, and if so, under what circumstances?

Virtual education may make sense in certain circumstances for an individual student and as a temporary measure during a pandemic or similar such emergency. However, I do not otherwise believe that full-time virtual education should be expanded. Many students saw learning loss as a result and are not able to get the full range of support and services they need outside of a traditional classroom setting.

11. What do you feel should be the state’s role (versus the role of school districts or individual educators) in decisions about public school curriculum and instructional materials?

My father was one of the founders of LULAC and I got my start at the Texas Legislature working for Rep. Irma Rangel. I carry their lessons with me to this day–including remembering who you are, where you came from, and what you are fighting for. It’s critical that our children are taught real history and able to freely discuss current events. The classroom is exactly the place for such discussion. We need to worry less about banning books and controlling speech and more about fostering creative and critical thinking to prepare our children to go to college or enter the workforce upon graduation and be responsible and knowledgeable citizens of the world.

12. The COVID-19 pandemic and additional instructional support needed to remediate students’ learning losses have placed additional strain on public schools’ staffing needs. How would you work to ensure classrooms are appropriately staffed, teachers’ workloads are manageable, and planning time is not sacrificed amid these challenges?

Many teachers, first responders, and front-line workers have faced unprecedented challenges in dealing with COVID-19 and as a result are facing burnout or leaving their professions. Losing experienced and quality educators is not good for our children. We need to ensure that our education professionals receive additional professional development, mentorship, and support as well as ensure adequate staffing and not having to do administrative or other tasks during planning time so that workloads are manageable. I support utilizing the Economic Stabilization Fund, commonly referred to as the Rainy Day Fund, to provide additional resources to our schools.
 

Additional Comments from Candidate on Survey

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COMMENTS SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THE 2026 ATPE CANDIDATE SURVEY:

Public education is one of my highest priorities. I worked summers in college as a teacher aide at the public migrant school, teaching reading and arts/crafts. I come from a family of educators, my mom and two of my siblings were both teachers and my father served on the Laredo ISD school board. Additionally, I have been a mentor and volunteer through the Hispanic Bar Association of Austin at Sanchez Elementary and Martin Middle School as well as at the University of Texas through the Center for Women and Gender Studies NEW Leadership Texas. I am also a long term supporter of education-related non-profits, including AVANCE, which works with hard to reach, low-income families to provide education, life skills, and enrichment programs and Friends of Children-Austin, which pairs at-risk children with mentors for their entire K-12 school years to help them succeed, as well as GEN - Austin which prepares middle school girls to succeed in school and life.