As a native Floridian and resident of Northeast Florida for 38 years, my family and I have long-benefited from living and working in this beautiful area. My husband, Larry, has worked as a project manager with JEA for 31 years. Each of my three now-adult children received a superb education in St. Johns County middle and high schools, and I am proud to have taught at Cunningham Creek Elementary and work now as an instructional support professional at Valley Ridge Academy. St. Johns County continues to be a wonderful place to live, work, and play. This community has afforded my family many privileges, and since my faith teaches me “for those to whom much is given, much is required,” I am ready to give back as your next County Commissioner.
This community has afforded my family many privileges, and since my faith teaches me “for those to whom much is given, much is required,” I am ready to give back as your next County Commissioner.
I was born and raised in Jacksonville and ever since I was a child I have always loved water skiing and canoeing on the St. Johns River, camping in the many Florida state parks, and sunbathing on our beaches. After graduating high school in Jacksonville, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from Vanderbilt University. I have taught in public and parochial elementary schools in several cities: Duluth, MN, Nashville, TN, Indianapolis, IN, Jacksonville, FL, and most recently in St. Johns County.
While Larry and I are now empty nesters and enjoy the unique lifestyle and activities afforded us while living in Nocatee for four years, we fondly recall the thirteen years spent as residents of the Fruit Cove area. In 2000 I earned a masters degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University New Orleans. For four years I served as the Director of Faith Formation for St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Middleburg, where I recruited scores of volunteers, planned and led retreats, collaborated with the parish school on children’s and adult programs, and chaired several committees.
Much of my life has been spent devoted to volunteering, whether it’s serving my church, gleaning fruit and vegetables with the St. Andrew’s Society, contributing to my children’s schools, or working for the St.Johns Riverkeeper. In 2008 I became a Master Gardener and joined the ranks of the prestigious St. Johns County Master Gardener program. Putting my gardening skills to work for the less fortunate is one of my proudest accomplishments. From 2012-14, I managed a demonstration garden plot used to teach several Lutheran Social Service sponsored refugee families how to grow their own food. Like its public school system, the St. Johns County Master Gardener program is a shining gem.
Much of my life has been spent devoted to volunteering, whether it’s serving my church, gleaning fruit and vegetables with the St. Andrew’s Society, contributing to my children’s schools, or working for the St. Johns Riverkeeper.
As a lifelong educator, I know firsthand the challenges our schools face, particularly the challenges caused by the rapid influx of new students. It seems we cannot build schools fast enough and the expensive-to- maintain portables are ubiquitous throughout our school system. In order to retain our position as Florida’s No.1 school system, we must continue to invest in our stellar schools and institute a forward-thinking regional development plan.
In addition to advocating for the ongoing success of our schools, I’m dedicated to preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of our county. I’ve watched as our beautiful environmental assets have changed dramatically over the last several decades. My husband and I are avid kayakers and bicyclists on Florida’s Rails to Trails paths and it is with a heavy heart that I witness the degradation of our parks and waterways. Not long ago, Larry and I volunteered to take water samples from the Intracoastal Waterway near the Nocatee Kayak Launch and return them to the St. Johns Riverkeeper’s lab for microplastic analysis. We were alarmed to learn how much plastic was found in just a small container of our water.
I believe it is our duty to preserve that which makes St. Johns County such a wonderful place for families. We cannot allow developers to clear, burn, and build without regard for what has made this place so special for so long. It is time for smart, responsible growth.
My many years as an educator and volunteer have prepared me for this moment. With your help we can do what needs to be done to improve our community. Together, let’s continue building a St. Johns County we are proud to pass on to our children and grandchildren.
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