I was introduced to Northfield Promise when I first arrived in Northfield, as I was apprised of our district and building goals. As I learned more about the work being done to support our educational initiatives throughout all grade levels, I jumped at the opportunity to join the Career and College Readiness action team. I […]

We’ve been very interested in closing the achievement gap in Northfield for quite some time. That’s where our passion for Accelerate Northfield – a program that pairs volunteer tutors with students to promote reading – was born.

I am a part of the Northfield Promise Steering Committee and the Middle School/High School Connectedness action team. I am also a past board member at HCI, which is how I had my first introduction to this effort.

I was excited to accept the invitation to join the Council of Champions. As the executive director of an organization that is committed to meeting a full range of needs for people in the developmental disabilities community, it makes perfect sense that I have an interest in making sure the voices of our community and the people we serve are heard.

Three years ago, I was invited to attend a Data Team meeting because of my strong interest in using data to help refine and target instructional approaches. Sitting around the table was a group of bright, committed people.

When I first came to town in 2013, Northfield Promise was one of the things in which Northfield Hospital & Clinics was already interested and involved.

Two years ago I attended a Northfield Public SchoolsDistrict Educational Program Advisory Council (DEPAC) meeting where Zach Pruitt was presenting on collective impact. I was enthused by the information he shared about the Cincinnati Strive model and wanted to get involved. I joined the Data Team and then was recruited to join the Council of Champions.

There’s real diversity to the Ready for K team – from stay-at- home moms to school district, public health, pediatrics, and library staff, Latinos and whites. Together we are tasked with determining what it takes to be ready for kindergarten – socially, academically, physically. We’re figuring out what “ready” means and what resources there are for people.

My two daughters were raised here in Northfield, and now my grandchild is being raised here, so I’ve always been very invested and interested in our schools and our programming for youth – in what we can do to raise our kids as best as possible.