After graduating with a Masters in the Art of Teaching from The University of South Carolina, I worked for Richland One’s Columbia High School (Capital Pride!) from 2013 to 2023. During my ten years at Columbia High School I led the social studies department, served as one of our school’s new teacher mentors, assisted the district with social studies curriculum, and coached soccer and cross country.

For ten years I saw what school meant to students when they liked their classes, when kids connected with their teachers, and when young people and their mentors had positive school related activities to look forward to. I also saw what happens when students lose their teachers, when their club sponsors leave, and when there is no institutional memory to keep up with the activities students look forward to. I watched students come back to see their teachers after summer or graduation only to be disappointed to learn many of their favorites had left.

We must elect individuals that are willing to implement programs and policies to better recruit and retain teachers and I will do everything in my power to help our community make this a reality.