I am running for the Area 22 seat on the Greenville County School Board of Trustees. I am a retired educator with degrees in veterinary medicine and law, an Air Force veteran, and experience working in state and local government. I have worked in the County schools as a substitute teacher since 2024 - in elementary, middle, and high school general education and special education classrooms. I am passionate about the importance of learning for our children to become successful citizens who can make their world a better place. Unfortunately, in Greenville County, as in classrooms all over the US, there are external factors that are making it harder than ever for deep learning to occur; including the ubiquitous presence of screens, student mental health issues, demands on teachers that detract from teaching time, and the intrusion of outside actors who have never been in a classroom except for when they were students themselves. Having been lucky enough to obtain a wonderfully diverse and excellent academic career, as well as working in military, corporate, and public service environments, I know what it takes to achieve your goals, and I want to help all of our kids reach theirs.