Proud to be LSD

The success of Lansing School District students and the vibrance of our district is so important to me because I grew up here.

It hits different.

I’m a homegrown advocate for Lansing youth. I came up through Lansing schools–Verlinden, Otto, Sexton–and it shows. I have taken to saying that my family has to share with Sexton the credit for raising me.

Civic service is in my DNA. I was raised in a family steeped in disability culture and focused on amplifying the voices of marginalized people. My grandfather, Jim Hough, was legally blind and used his platform as the Onlooker of the Lansing State Journal to be a voice for folks’ stories that might not otherwise have been shared.

His life’s work influenced my academic career, in which I research and support disability inclusion for world language education. Because of that family culture, I feel whole when I dedicate my time, energy, and privilege to folks who could use the help. Right now, I’m giving my time to Lansing youth through Cradle2Career, an ages 0-25 focused initiative by the Lansing Empowerment Network.

When I moved back to Lansing to settle my growing family and start my Ph.D. program, the choice to enroll my children in LSD was an easy one. It’s the best place for my kids. Not only am I grateful to have been raised in this community and appreciated the diversity of the village that raised me, but I knew without a doubt it would be the best place for my babies to shine (as Board Trustee LaVontè Heard so often says!)

Why me?

Some candidates in this election are alumni. (LSD alumni do great things!) Some have a bit of experience teaching in our district. (Thank you for that service!) I bring a unique set of experiences all in one, dedicated package:

My education-based career focuses on the learning and teaching of marginalized students.

I have a demonstrated record of service to educationally minded community spaces in Lansing.

I'm an alumna.

I’m a current district parent.

I’m married to an LSD educator.

I hail from a long line of district teachers.

My whole family is living an LSD life right now, and we wouldn’t want to raise our children anywhere else.

Experiencing the district from these many perspectives, equity and trust have emerged at the forefront of the concerns I undertake as I champion this district. To learn more about what’s important to me, see my issues page; It’s work I already do and will continue to do for Lansing families long after the outcome of this election.