As a proud Penn Hills resident, Monica understands the challenges and opportunities that our district faces. Whether it's ensuring that our children receive a high-quality education, improving school facilities, or strengthening our community partnerships, the role of the school board is critical to the continued growth and success of our schools.

Education is not just about what happens in the classroom; it's about creating an environment where every student feels safe, supported, and inspired to succeed. Monica would bring to the school board role, over 20 years of experience in teaching and administrative work in education, including working as a professional tutor, Director of Academic Success, and her current role at Carnegie Mellon University, as the Associate Director of Access and Transition Initiatives -which centers on giving High School Students access to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, (STEM), at CMU. 

Her educational background spans the humanities, sciences and social sciences. She double majored in English Literature and Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh, and later earned a master's in American studies, where she focused on socio-economic issues. She has worked with hundreds of students, at all levels, to create programs to support and ensure their persistence and graduation success.

She is committed to:

1. Fostering Excellence in Education – Ensuring that our teachers and staff have the resources and support they need to provide the best possible education for all students.

2. Listening to Our Community – She wants to create a more open dialogue between the school board, students, parents, and educators. Your voices matter, and she will make it her priority to listen and respond to your concerns and ideas.

3. Promoting Equity and Inclusion – Every student in Penn Hills should feel valued and respected. She will work to ensure our policies and programs reflect our diverse community and provide all students with the tools they need to succeed.

4. Improving School Facilities – We must invest in our schools and ensure that our facilities are safe, well-maintained, and conducive to learning.

5. Supporting Fiscal Responsibility – She understands the importance of being responsible stewards of our resources. She will work to balance the budget effectively while ensuring that our schools continue to receive the necessary funding.

In order to achieve these goals, she will focus on collaboration, transparency, and accountability. She firmly believes that the school board should be an active and accessible part of the community, working together to shape a bright future for Penn Hills. Together, we can build a district where our students excel, our teachers feel supported, and our community is proud.

She asks for your support in this election, and promises that, if endorsed and elected, she will always put the best interests of our children first.