A New Chapter in The Pacfic Northwest 

Moving to the Pacific Northwest has been the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. My husband and I are grateful to finally call Tacoma home—a place where the mountains, forests, and water reflect so much of what we value. Living near Washington's state offices has opened the door to a new chapter of public service, and I am excited to begin my career with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board in the Education Division. While I am just beginning my journey in Washington state government, I look forward to growing professionally and building a long-term career serving the people of this remarkable state.

As I begin this new chapter, I also find myself reflecting with immense gratitude on the work I recently completed in Montana. One of the greatest honors of my career was serving as the Tribal representative on the committee that revised the 2027 Montana English Language Arts and Literacy Standards. Working alongside educators, Tribal leaders, and literacy experts from across the state, we helped reimagine what literacy education can be for Montana's students.

The new standards represent a significant step forward by encouraging students to engage deeply with complex texts, write for authentic purposes, communicate effectively, and thoughtfully examine multiple perspectives and cultures. They emphasize critical thinking, inquiry, respectful dialogue, and the understanding that strong readers and writers learn by considering diverse experiences, histories, and voices. As an Indigenous educator, contributing to a framework that values multiple perspectives and honors the richness of our communities is something I am incredibly proud of. Knowing that these standards will soon guide classrooms across Montana is both humbling and inspiring, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have on future generations of learners.