Democrat

HCDE is at its best when it helps fill gaps that individual school districts may not have the resources or capacity to address on their own. I will continue working to ensure our programs are responsive to what districts actually need, particularly in areas like special education, early childhood education, after-school programming, and student mental health services. That means listening to district leaders and educators, using data to identify where needs are greatest, and making sure HCDE resources are reaching the students and communities that can benefit from them most.

As a Trustee, I have seen firsthand how important early childhood education is to giving children a strong start and supporting working families. HCDE’s Head Start programs are an important part of that work, particularly for families who might otherwise struggle to access high-quality early learning opportunities. I believe we should continue strengthening these programs, expanding outreach in underserved communities, and working with school districts and community partners to reach families who may not know these resources are available. Every child in Harris County deserves the opportunity to enter school ready to learn and succeed.