Why Listening Matters in Decision-Making
Over the past year, I’ve found myself thinking more and more about how decisions get made - especially in schools. School boards are often asked to make complex choices under pressure. There are legal considerations, community perspectives, time constraints, and a genuine desire to do what’s right for students and staff. It’s not easy work, and it rarely comes with perfect information.
At the same time, I’ve come to appreciate just how important it is to slow down when decisions carry real impact.
Thoughtful decision-making requires asking questions. It means making space for multiple perspectives and taking the time to fully understand the implications. And when legal or policy guidance is involved, it means ensuring that advice is carefully vetted, clearly communicated, and aligned with both the letter and the spirit of what a school community stands for.
Over the past year, our district faced a situation that brought this into sharp focus for me. A decision was made to pause the district’s DEI policy, based on legal guidance at the time. As more information emerged, it became clear how complicated - and consequential - that decision was. What stood out to me wasn’t about fault or blame. It was seeing how much our community values diversity and supporting each other. It was a reminder of how quickly decisions can move, and how important it is that we build processes that allow for reflection, clarity, and course correction.
Moments like this are part of what motivated me to run for the school board.
I believe strong boards create space for careful thinking, even when decisions feel urgent. They prioritize transparency so the community understands not just what decisions are made, but how and why. They welcome dialogue, especially when perspectives differ. And they remain open to revisiting decisions when new information comes to light.
In my work as a psychologist, I’ve spent years helping people slow things down - so they can respond thoughtfully rather than react quickly. That same mindset has value in leadership. When we pause, we often make better, more sustainable decisions.
Haldane is a strong and thoughtful community. We care deeply about our students and about one another. My hope is that we continue to approach important decisions with the care, deliberation, and openness they deserve. That’s the kind of leadership I would bring to the role: measured, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that how we make decisions matters just as much as the decisions themselves.
