A FULFILLING CAREER
Teaching music was the focus of my 34-year career. From the moment I started college, I knew that I didn’t want to have a day without music. In my junior year, I realized that I enjoyed teaching and experiencing pride when a student succeeds. Those feelings and values stayed with me throughout my career. I often see some of my former students and have the pleasure of reconnecting with them — learning about their lives as well as their hopes and their dreams.
During my entire career, I was a union member of the St. Cloud Teachers Association, serving on the Representative Assembly representing Talahi Community School for a few years prior to my retirement. I acted as department chair from time to time at both Tech High School and Talahi.
My retirement from teaching has given me time to broaden my involvement in passions that matter most to me — my family, my church, missions and my community. For 23 years, I have been a leader with ISAIAH, a non-profit faith-based organization focused on addressing social, racial and economic injustices. In 2016, 2017 and 2019, I joined other community members in traveling to the Minnesota State Capitol to advocate for connecting the NorthStar train campaign to St. Cloud and in 2019 we worked on increased educational funding to support our local schools. In 2018, as an ISAIAH leader, I was heavily involved on the St. Cloud Community Policing Agreement. I am also currently one of the board members of SCERAC (St. Cloud Educational Rights Advocacy Council) to litigate for the cross-subsidy funding for school district 742. I attended ISAIAH’s week-long leadership and advocacy training in 2004 and 2019.
I am an Elder at First Presbyterian Church in St. Cloud, having served three 3-year terms, one of the terms as President of the Corporation of the church. I have previously served as chair of the personnel and service group committees, and I currently serve on the mission committee.
My musical endeavors have included singing in our church choir; performing with Minnesota Center Chorale, Great River Chorale and Crusade Choir; playing clarinet in the pit orchestra for community musicals; participating in a monthly music performing group; and playing in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church orchestra.
Mission trips have taken me to Brazil and Costa Rica (for church and community building projects) and Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Texas (for rebuilding after natural disasters). I have expanded my construction skills to include tying rebar and laying mortar on brick. In addition to helping people rebuild their lives, my life has been enriched through building relationships with the local people and my fellow mission workers.
Most recently, I have traveled to Pakistan 9 times since 2015 to provide music instruction to teachers and students (Pre-K through 2nd grade) in the schools of Presbyterian Education Board, based in Lahore. I served for 3 years on the board of the Friends of PEB (Presbyterian Education Board), a non-profit that raises funds for these schools in Pakistan.
Over the last few years, I have also helped launch and run two businesses—from conception to business optimization.
One is a company that provides coding and billing services in St. Cloud—Physicians Revenue Services MN—and the other is a male salon—Perfect Cut—in Lahore, Pakistan. Starting up a business is a challenging process that I hope to help streamline if elected. Running a business overseas also has its unique challenges, but both ventures have been a rewarding experience.
My husband and I love to travel for fun, too, in the U.S. and overseas. In the winter, we often ski at Giant’s Ridge in Biwabik, Minnesota. The summer of 2018, we took our first trip into the Boundary Waters for camping, canoeing and portaging. The summer isn’t complete without time on a lake in Minnesota, usually one near St. Cloud. Family reunions and picnics are always a valued time in our lives.
There is no grass growing under my feet because there is much that needs to be done — and I love doing them!
Elected to a four-year term on the St. Cloud City Council.
My parents were politically involved – my father was Republican and my mother was Democrat (think back to Nixon/Humphrey). However, our political discussions around the dinner table were very civilized and respectful. Some of my older siblings were involved in political/social activities. My work with ISAIAH was social and political, but non-partisan. That is the background from which I come — and the foundation from which I want to serve the St. Cloud area.
St. Cloud City Council (4-year term), MN State House candidate (2020, 2022)
34-year St. Cloud school teacher, international & domestic business owner
St. Cloud Educational Rights Advocacy, Community Policing Agreement, ISAIAH, Muslim Coalition, and more
Girl Scout leader, Tech H.S. musical choreographer, parent group involvement
40 years as a musician, church leadership, mission work
