I'm a wife, a mother of two girls, and a dedicated educational leader, mental health advocate, and longtime supporter of students and families. I am committed to ensuring that every child in Lynn Public Schools has access to the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed.
Growing up in the public housing projects of Waltham, Massachusetts, my journey, facilitated by resilience, hard work, and the support of amazing educators, is why I’m passionate about making sure every child has the opportunity to succeed.
In the late 1960s, determined to build a better life for their family, my parents migrated from Puerto Rico to Massachusetts. Even though they only had a third-grade and fourth-grade education, they instilled in me the values that shaped every step of my journey to becoming a first-generation college graduate.
As a young ESL student, school could have felt overwhelming, but I was lucky to have teachers who believed in me. I’ll never forget my first-grade teacher, Mrs. Ruiz, who made me feel seen and capable from the very start. Her encouragement planted the first seeds of the educator and leader I would one day become, and to this day, I still keep in touch with her. Later in high school, teachers like Mr. Ditri continued to push me to believe in my potential. And through the mentorship of Paul Mayberry, a man who recognized something in me before I fully saw it myself, I found my path in social work and education.
It wasn’t always easy. I wasn’t a straight-A student. I still remember the day my high school guidance counselor told me I shouldn’t apply to a four-year college because she didn’t believe I would make it. But I refused to let anyone else write my story. I worked hard, stayed determined, and became the first person in my family to graduate from college. Later, I achieved something I’m deeply proud of becoming Principal of the very high school I once attended, showing that perseverance can truly change the course of a life. I am living proof that when educators, mentors, and families believe in a child's potential, incredible things can happen.
Today, I am a doctoral candidate, a wife, and a proud mother to two beautiful daughters who inspire me every day. I know firsthand the dreams parents have for their children because I carry my parents’ dreams with me still. As I run for Lynn School Committee, I am ready to advocate for thoughtful, student-centered leadership that lifts every student and strengthens every school.