Early Investment & Academic Foundation
Right now, only 26.7% of students are proficient in ELA and 22.4% in math, and the gaps are largest for Hispanic, Black, and low-income students.
Chronic absenteeism also jumps after 6th grade, which tells us students are disengaging before they ever reach graduation.
That’s why I’m focused on building a real pipeline from elementary → middle → high school so fewer kids fall through the cracks.
What I’m pushing for in District 7:
- Expand K–8 tutoring, literacy, and math interventions
- Bring STEM, coding, and digital literacy to southside schools
- Increase middle school exposure to careers and pathways
- Build a community mentor network for high-mobility schools
- Continue investing in our early childhood Pre-K programs
District 7 has some of the highest poverty rates in OKC, so early support isn’t optional, it’s how we keep the opportunity gap from widening.
Safe, Stable, Welcoming Schools
School safety is more than security. It’s whether students feel like they belong, whether bullying gets handled, and whether adults step in when something isn’t right.
Right now, only 58% of students say they feel safe, and 1 in 4 report bullying. Even more concerning: only 50% feel adults intervene.
I believe safety is emotional, cultural, and academic, and students want adults who listen and help them feel like they matter.
What I’m pushing for in District 7:
- Anonymous bullying reporting tools so students can speak up
- Stronger Tier 2/3 mental health supports in grades 5–8
- Cultural celebration programs + student leadership councils that build pride and connection
Students deserve schools that are stable, welcoming, and built on trust, because belonging is part of learning.
College & Career Preparation
Every student deserves a real plan after graduation, whether that’s college, trades, military, tech, or the workforce.
But in District 7, access isn’t consistent. Only 23% of Hispanic students are enrolled in college-prep pathways, and access to CTE, AP, and dual credit is uneven across the district.
Students also say they don’t learn about their options until it’s too late, and families want clearer guidance.
What I’m pushing for in District 7:
- Expand middle-school pathway exposure (careers, STEM, trades, healthcare, CS)
- Strengthen partnerships with OU, OCCC, and MetroTech to increase dual credit
- Work with local businesses and nonprofits to bring internships, job shadowing, and mentorships to District 7 schools
- Push for stronger counseling capacity so every student gets post-grad planning
- Increase access to AP, IB, CTE, and CS across south side schools
Preparation shouldn’t start senior year. If we start earlier, students can build confidence, skills, and a real direction.
Teacher Quality & Equity
A strong school starts with strong teachers and right now we’re asking too many educators to do too much without enough support.
Emergency-certified teachers are rising, and those classrooms show lower outcomes. On top of that, 50% of teachers are considering leaving, which tells us burnout is real.
If we want students to succeed, we have to stabilize and strengthen the people leading classrooms every day.
What I’m pushing for in District 7:
- Being a “Grow Your Own” teacher pipelines focusing on bilingual educators
- Promote retention programs for early-career teachers and provide oversight and support
- Reduce dependency on emergency certification by building sustainable staffing
Teachers deserve to feel supported in their classroom, they deserve funding to pay for school supplies and support from their community and district so they can ensure every child is getting the best education possible. While teacher pay and programs are primarily a state issue, I will do my best at the school board to advocate for more teacher support and teacher recruitment.
Transparency & Family Engagement
Families should never feel out of the loop when it comes to their child’s education. But many families are asking for clearer communication, transparent decisions, and consistent policy enforcement, plus a better understanding of what the school board does and how to reach people.
My goal is simple: bring families into the process, not keep them out.
What I’m committing to:
- Regular office hours in the community so people can talk directly and get answers
- Weekly/bi-weekly podcast-style videos across social platforms
- Student, parent, and teacher advisory councils
- A monthly newsletter once elected
- Multiple town halls in the community to answer questions and give updates to our families and students
District 7 deserves leadership that’s accessible and consistent. When communication is clear, trust grows, and schools get better.