A few things about me...
Education
Assoc. in French Literature, U de Charles deGaulle
BA of English Literature, University of Utah
MBA, University of Utah
Utah Teaching Certificate, University of Utah
Utah Administrative Certificate, Utah State
experience
High School Teacher, Salt Lake City School District
Board Member, Granite School Board
Board Vice President, MasterControl
President Elect, Utah School Boards Association
Board Member, Voices for Utah Children
President, Boost Foundation
Board Member, Horizonte Foundation
Playing the role of Molly in Murray Arts Council's "Annie" at age 5.
Product of Murray and Holladay Cities.
I am deeply rooted to our neighborhood. I lived on Vine Street, in Murray, until I was 10. I went to Woodstock and Oakwood Elementaries, and cheered on all my siblings at Cottonwood High in sports and performing arts. When we moved to Holladay, I went to Cottonwood Elementary. I attended both Bonneville and Olympus Junior High, and graduated from Olympus High School.
I grew up playing soccer at Bonneville Jr., performing in plays at Murray Park and Cottonwood High, and learned to swim at the Sports Mall. I skied with my dad every Saturday at Alta.
These places taught me to work hard and value my community connections. My first jobs were to teach tap dancing at Cottonwood High, to plant flowers at commercial buildings in Murray and Millcreek, and to help customers at A Woman's Place Bookstore at Cottonwood Mall. I owe a lot to our community and giving back to it though public service is important to me.
Dedicated wife and mother
I met my husband Grant at Olympus Junior High and we've been married 28 years! We've got four fantastic children who graduated from Olympus High School and are all attending public Utah universities.
We are so thankful to the many great people in our sphere who are helping them become contributing members of our society. All of my four siblings have raised their families in Holladay and almost all of Grant's siblings live in Holladay and Millcreek. I bought the home next door to my parents to remain close to this community we value so much.
Teacher
Education is more than a career to me. It is part of my identity.
My life was changed forever when I became a teacher at Horizonte Instruction and Training Center, the alternative high school for SLC District. The students there faced challenges I couldn't even imagine. Few of them were on grade level in reading or math and all of them were angry about it. I felt angry too. Over time, students in my classroom discovered that they could learn and succeed. It was a privilege to witness that change in them.
I absolutely loved helping my students pull themselves out of difficult "holes". But I couldn't help feeling the need to prevent them from falling into the hole in the first place. I have seen how much Utah state legislators play a crucial role in setting kids up for educational success. As a member of Utah House of Representatives, I’ll put passion to work for the benefit of all our kids.
At a High School Government class talking about why it's important to vote!
Community Leader
It has been my honor to represent our community on the Granite School District Board of Education since 2020. Some of my proudest accomplishments are...
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Lowering class size for k-2,
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Addressing our education support professionals shortage by paying them a competitive wage,
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Allocating our teachers more prep days,
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Securing a new track at Cottonwood High, new turf at Olympus High, and a new building for Skyline.
One thing that has surprised me about serving on the Granite School Board: my love for our community has deepened as I have advocated alongside you for our precious kids. Our community is full of incredible people working for and with each other.
Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, and Advocate
I graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in English and French and have my MBA and both a teaching and administration certificate. I am on the board of a global technology company with over 800 employees, which is headquartered in Cottonwood Heights. Our software helps inventors of medical innovations get their inventions to patients faster and safer. I’m proud of the good that my company does for the world.
As the President of the Boost Foundation, we've supported efforts to expand preschool offerings, to improve attendance, and early literacy. As a Voices for Utah Children board member, I've advocated for all things kids: early learning and care, immigration, juvenile justice, education, and tax and budget policies that benefit kids.
Currently I serve as President Elect of the Utah School Boards Association. In this capacity, I’ve conversed with most school boards in our state about what challenges they are facing. I’ve met with each of our congress members and have collaborated with our Utah Legislative leadership. I've built strong relationships with many legislators, especially those associated with education.
Each of these positions have uniquely qualified me to understand leadership and advocacy at a high level.
Speaking at a conference for local school board members of utah.
Advocacy
is in my DNA.
"Don't Forget To Wash Your Hands And Always Flush The Toilet And Put Down The Lid. Merry Christmas."
--age 6. My first attempt at bringing about change.
(I admit--it didn't work, but pretty good for a first attempt!)