Education & Future Generations:
Education is the engine of opportunity. But for too long, that engine has only worked for those born into the right zip codes or the right circumstances. In District 139, we have a generation of brilliant, hardworking students who are ready to lead—if only we give them the tools to succeed.
My vision for education is simple: every child, regardless of their background, language, or neighborhood, deserves a world-class public education that prepares them for the challenges of tomorrow.
1. Defending Public Education
I believe that public schools are the bedrock of our democracy. They are the only institutions designed to serve every child, regardless of their income or status. I will stand firmly against any effort to privatize our education system.
Stop the Voucher Drain: I strongly oppose school vouchers and "Education Savings Accounts" that divert precious public tax dollars away from our classrooms and into private institutions. Public funds must remain in public schools.
Investment, Not Privatization: The answer to improving our schools is not to abandon them, but to invest in them. We will not solve the achievement gap by stripping resources from the majority of our students to fund a privileged few.
Accountability for All: While private institutions often operate without the transparency and accountability required of public schools, I believe in a system where every dollar spent on education is tracked and used to benefit the public good.
2. Empowering Our Educators
We cannot expect our students to succeed if we do not support the people teaching them. Teacher burnout and staffing shortages are not just "school problems"—they are systemic failures.
Fair Pay and Professional Dignity: I will fight for competitive, livable wages for our teachers. We must treat our educators as the professionals they are, ensuring that teaching is a sustainable and respected career in Georgia.
Reducing Classroom Overcrowding: Every student deserves a teacher who has the time and energy to invest in them. I will advocate for smaller class sizes and increased support staff—including more counselors and mental health professionals.
Investing in Teacher Retention: We need to provide the resources and professional development our teachers need to thrive, not just survive, in the classroom.
3. Closing the Opportunity Gap
Equality is giving everyone the same thing; equity is giving everyone what they need to succeed. I will fight to ensure that our public schools in the most underserved areas receive the resources they actually need.
Equitable Funding: I will push for funding formulas that prioritize schools in high-poverty areas, ensuring that every classroom has modern technology, updated textbooks, and safe facilities.
Universal Pre-K and Early Literacy: The gap in achievement often begins before the first day of kindergarten. I support the expansion of high-quality, affordable public early childhood education.
Mental Health and Holistic Support: Education is about more than test scores. I will advocate for integrated student support services that address hunger, trauma, and mental health.
4. Embracing Bilingualism and Cultural Wealth
In a global economy, being bilingual is a superpower. Yet, for too long, our education system has viewed English Language Learners as a "problem to be solved" rather than an asset to be cultivated.
Expanding Dual-Language Programs: I will champion programs that allow students to maintain and grow their native languages while mastering English. We should be teaching our children that their heritage is a strength.
Culturally Responsive Curriculum: Our students should see themselves reflected in the history they learn and the literature they read. I support a curriculum that honors the diverse contributions of the Hispanic community and other people of color.
Bridging the Gap for Families: I will fight for better translation services and community outreach to ensure that non-English speaking parents have a seat at the table.
5. Path to Prosperity: College and Career Readiness
A high school diploma is the start, not the finish. We must expand the definitions of "success" to include all pathways to a high-paying, dignified career.
Vocational and Technical Training: Not every student needs a four-year degree to thrive. I will advocate for the expansion of trade schools and vocational programs within our public system.
Affordable Higher Education: I will fight to lower the barriers to community college and university systems, ensuring that student debt doesn't stifle the ambitions of our graduates.
Youth Mentorship and Internship Programs: I will work to build partnerships between our public schools and local businesses to provide students with real-world experience.
Our children are not just the "future"—they are the present. By investing in our public schools today, we are securing a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous Georgia for everyone.
