In 2008, I left my corporate IT job to become a high school teacher. I’d been teaching college classes as an adjunct and found that it was much more rewarding to me than the work I was doing at an office. And now (I thought) here was my ticket to easy street. A 7 -3 schedule. All those holiday breaks. Plus summers off!

I quickly discovered that while the kids went home at 3 pm – unless they needed tutoring, or help with the yearbook, or…well, you get the picture – my day didn’t end there. There were still lessons to plan, assignments to grade, and materials to be created. I can honestly say that teaching high school was the hardest I’ve ever worked in my life. But it was also the most fulfilling, and I was surrounded by colleagues who took our responsibility as educators seriously.

Right now, I’m wrapping up some courses I’m teaching for a local university on educational technology for in-service teachers. And I recognize in the discussions we’ve had and the assignments they’ve completed that same commitment to providing quality education to our young students, even in these strange times.

That’s why I’m proud to announce that my campaign has been endorsed by the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA). I appreciate their confidence in me and promise to work hard in Harrisburg to ensure that our school workers are treated with dignity and respect. Thank you PSEA!