Kansas has always been my home.

When I was in elementary school, my family moved around to different parts of Kansas due to my father’s job as a union truck driver. His over the road trucking taught me a strong Midwest work ethic at a very young age. My mother was an educator, who instilled the love of learning in me. We settled in Salina, Kansas where I graduated from high school. I attended Fort Hays State University and received a B.A. in Sociology, an M.S. in Counseling, and an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership. I have worked for over 30 years as a counselor in Hays, Johnson City, Big Bow, Manter, Wellsville, and Olathe at the K-12 and college levels – though it was my years in middle schools that were truly my favorite times.  I am also a Licensed Professional Counselor and have worked in private practice.

 Johnson County has been our home since 1992. We lived in the area between Gardner and Edgerton for the first 10 years and then moved to Olathe, where we remain. Senate District 37 is an exceptional place to live and raise a family. It is the great public schools, hospitals, parks, and services that attract people of all ages.

 I decided to run for the Kansas Senate because I watched the Legislature try to divert your tax dollars from public education, reject federal funding for Medicaid expansion, and undermine mental and reproductive health. My life lessons have taught me the value of both hard work and leadership. I hope to bring these skills to work for the people of Senate District 37.