Haldane Is the Cornerstone of Our Community

Public schools create the rhythms and relationships that hold communities together.

Schools are where children form friendships, discover interests, and develop confidence. But they are also where parents meet one another at concerts, basketball games, art shows, and pickup lines. They are where teachers become trusted adults in children’s lives. They are where communities gather to celebrate achievements, support one another during difficult moments, and build shared memories over time.

In a small district like Haldane, this is especially true.

Over the years, I’ve watched students find their place through theater productions, athletics, music, clubs, and friendships. I’ve seen the way teachers and staff know students not just academically, but personally. I’ve seen families rally around one another. Those connections matter.

Public schools are one of the few places left in our society where people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences come together around a shared purpose: supporting children.

That doesn’t mean communities always agree. In fact, healthy communities often include disagreement. But strong public schools give us a place to keep talking to one another, listening to one another, and working toward something larger than ourselves.

As both a parent and a psychologist, I think a great deal about belonging. Children learn best when they feel connected, safe, and valued. The same is true for communities.

When schools are thriving, communities often thrive alongside them.

That’s one of the reasons I care so deeply about public education - and why I decided to run for the school board. Supporting schools means supporting not only students, but the fabric of our community itself.