Lower Manhattan is home to more and more families — but our schools and youth programs haven’t kept up. Classrooms are overcrowded, opportunities are uneven, and too many parents are left navigating a system that doesn’t meet the moment.

As a mother of three, a longtime PTA leader, and a board member of Sophie Gerson Healthy Youth, I’ve spent years working to expand opportunities for young people in this district. From helping secure new school construction to supporting after-school and summer programs for underserved students, I’ve focused on making sure families have the resources they need — both inside and outside the classroom.

Every child in this district deserves access to a high-quality education, safe spaces to grow, and real opportunities to succeed.

What I’ve Done

I’ve worked to expand educational access and create opportunities for young people across this district.

• Founding member of the New Schools Task Force; in this capacity, and through Community Board 1, helped to site and see through the process for building and developing schools in the district, including Peck Slip, Spruce Street, and Millennium High School

• Provided after-school and summer camp opportunities to underprivileged Title I middle schoolers via Sophie Gerson Healthy Youth; raised money for the organization and chaperoned trips

• Started a nonprofit to receive federal grant money to build a swing for children with cerebral palsy

• Through that same nonprofit, helped convert Little Pearl Street into Pearl Street Playground

These efforts have helped expand both educational infrastructure and enrichment opportunities for families across Lower Manhattan.

What I Will Do

We need to invest in our schools, support our educators, and address the root causes of inequality in education.

• Make sure public schools and teachers are fully funded by updating school funding formulas to reflect modern needs

• Fix Tier 6 so that 30 years of service constitutes a full career and we can retain experienced educators

• Expand community schools and support policies that combat childhood poverty, including universal school meals

• Ensure schools in our district have the capacity to absorb new students as new housing developments are built

• Increase funding for UFT community schools

Preparing students for the future:

• Expand access to civics education, including the Seal of Civic Readiness

• Strengthen digital and media literacy so students can navigate technology and distinguish fact from fiction

Improving classroom environments:

• Support safe, modern learning conditions, including temperature standards for classrooms

• Promote distraction-free learning environments

Supporting and growing the educator workforce:

• Support teacher recruitment and retention through programs like loan forgiveness and workforce development initiatives

• Reform teacher evaluation systems to return greater control to the local level

Accountability and equity:

• Ensure greater transparency and accountability for charter schools receiving public funds