Precinct: 8
Tell us a little about yourself. You can include your personal background, family, outside interests that are important to who you are as a person and a candidate.
I have lived in Lexington for just about 25 years with my husband, Jay. We have raised two children (one currently in college and one a recent college graduate) who both graduated from Hastings, Diamond, and LHS. I love walking with my dog, Moka, around my fantastic neighborhood and on the several wonderful trails with the Across Lexington program. I enjoy reading (and my Lexington-based book club), baking, taking exercise classes at the YMCA, doing the New York Times crossword, watching the Celtics with my family, and walking with friends. I care a great deal about the health of our democracy and hope to strengthen it by being more active as a Lexington citizen.
How has your past experience — whether in your professional life, elected office, or as a community leader — prepared you for a role in Town Meeting?
I currently teach Social Studies at a neighboring high school, and I love to tutor local students as well — in history, English, and in college essay writing. As a teacher, I have noticed a tendency, especially post-pandemic, for people (students and adults) to become more reliant on the bubble of their own experience. Being a teacher has taught me how important it is to recognize the diversity of experiences and interests of my students, their families, and of the voting residents of the town. Having lived in Lexington for about 25 years, I care deeply about the diversity of experiences and backgrounds in our own town as well. I was very involved with the schools during my children’s tenure (from the Hastings Harvest run to All Night Graduation Parties), and I am looking forward to bringing a level-headed, community-focused approach to my tenure as a Town Meeting member.
What is the most important issue in this election to you personally, and what ideas do you have about how to address this issue?
I am paying particular attention to the high school building project and the issues surrounding the schools. The challenges post-Covid in all Massachusetts schools are tremendous and will require a sense of inclusiveness, thoughtfulness, and fiscal care. Having watched a building project similar to ours in recent years within my professional capacity, I worry that all voices within the town will be heard. We have a fantastic school system, and it will be a challenge as Lexington embarks on an expensive building process in this tricky educational time.
In my job, collaboration is the only way to improve and be successful. In recent years, my workplace has had some challenges with colleagues having different beliefs on political issues that could have an impact in the classroom. I have learned that listening to my colleagues’ different views and finding a place to meet where we DO agree has helped to lesson tensions and help us move forward. We do not need to agree on everything, but if we can’t listen to each others’ points of view, there is little chance of respect and collaboration. Connecting personally makes a huge difference. Much of my professional development has focused on this issue, too. I spent a week last summer at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia learning how to incorporate civil dialogue within my own classroom.