I am deeply committed to advancing educational equity through research, policy advocacy, and a nuanced understanding of how systemic factors influence student outcomes. My interest in joining the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint stems from a passion for dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline and advocating for alternatives to punitive discipline—particularly for students with behavioral health needs and those involved in the juvenile justice system. 

My experiences as a special education teacher, researcher, and policy advocate have shown me how deeply inequalities are embedded in our educational systems. For five years, I taught students diagnosed with emotional and behavioral disorders, many of whom faced not only academic challenges but also systemic barriers related to poverty, race, and disability. Later, as Director of Mental Health and Inclusion at a Head Start non-profit, I witnessed the same structural inequities taking root in early childhood education. 

My academic work has focused on the intersection of school discipline, behavioral supports, and racial equity. While earning my Master of Education in Urban Teaching from the University of Pennsylvania, I conducted mixed-methods research on how behavior support plans affect suspension and expulsion rates for Black male students. My findings emphasized the need for individualized, restorative, and trauma-informed approaches to behavior—approaches that align closely with the Alliance’s mission. 

I am eager to contribute to this important movement through collaborative advocacy, research, and policy work that centers the voices of students and families. The Alliance’s commitment to ending harmful practices like seclusion and restraint resonates with my belief in compassionate, equitable education for all. I hope to bring my experience, insight, and dedication to the Alliance’s efforts to create safer, more inclusive schools.