What is your role at The Center, and what does your work focus on?
I serve as the Director of the Louisiana Statewide Family Engagement Center (LASFEC) at The Center for Literacy & Learning. In this role, I lead statewide efforts to strengthen partnerships among families, schools, districts, and community organizations so that families are equipped and empowered to support student learning and success.
My work focuses on developing and implementing high-impact family engagement strategies, providing professional development and technical assistance to educators and school leaders, and creating practical resources and learning opportunities for families. I also build partnerships with school systems and community organizations across Louisiana and oversee initiatives designed to make family engagement a meaningful part of school improvement. Ultimately, my focus is helping schools move beyond simply involving families in activities to developing authentic, two-way partnerships that position families as essential partners in their children’s education.
Tell us a little about your background and what inspires your passion for this work.
I have spent more than 31 years in public education, serving in a variety of roles, including teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, principal, and executive director. I earned my bachelor’s degree from Dillard University, a master’s degree in school leadership from the University of New Orleans, and a School Turnaround Leadership certification from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. Throughout my career, particularly in Louisiana schools, I have had the opportunity to work alongside students, families, educators, and communities in both challenging and rewarding circumstances.
What inspires my passion for this work is the belief that families are one of the most powerful resources we have for improving outcomes for children. As a school leader, I saw firsthand that schools are most successful when families are not simply invited to attend events, but are respected as true partners in their children’s education. Those experiences continue to shape my work today. I am passionate about helping schools build authentic relationships with families, removing barriers to engagement, and ensuring that every family, regardless of background, circumstance, or zip code, has the information, resources, and opportunities needed to support their child’s success.
Why is literacy and learning meaningful to you?
Literacy and learning are meaningful to me because they are the foundation for opportunity. Throughout my more than 31 years in public education, I have seen how a child’s ability to read, understand, communicate, and think critically can shape not only academic achievement, but also confidence and future possibilities. Literacy opens doors, and every child deserves the opportunity to walk through those doors.
What makes this work especially meaningful to me is knowing that learning does not begin and end at the schoolhouse door. Families are a child’s first and most consistent teachers, and when we give families the tools, resources, and confidence to support learning at home, we strengthen what happens in the classroom. I am inspired by the opportunity to connect families and educators around a shared goal: helping every child develop the skills and love of learning they need to thrive in school and throughout life.
What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
Something people might be surprised to learn about me is that I am not a native New Orleanian! I actually hail from the great state of Georgia. I’m also an only child, but I grew up in a very male-dominated extended family—almost all of my cousins are boys, with only three girls in the mix. Growing up surrounded by so many boys definitely taught me how to hold my own, speak up, and probably contributed to the confidence and resilience I bring to my work today!
What is one word that describes how you approach your work?
Strategic is the one word that best describes how I approach my work. I am solutions-oriented, but I also keep an eye on the bigger picture—considering how the decisions we make today can create sustainable, long-term impact. I try to look beyond immediate challenges, identify practical solutions, and connect our work to the broader goals we are ultimately trying to achieve for families, educators, and students.
