Tell us about your role

As Director of Communications and Engagement (and a comms team of one), I lead the Mendocino County Office of Education (MCOE) efforts to shape clear, values-driven messaging. I manage everything from media relations and crisis response to branding, digital presence, and internal communication. On any given day, I might be crafting messaging around state or federal policy, planning an event, updating the website, writing a press release, or taking a staff portrait. If it involves words, visuals, or public perception, it likely lands on my desk at some point. I also serve on the Superintendent’s Cabinet, where I help ensure our strategic priorities are reflected in how we communicate and lead as a COE. I’m grateful to work with a superintendent who sees communication as vital to leadership. Her support makes it possible to approach this work with the thoughtfulness and consistency it takes to build real trust across our agency and community.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I love the variety in my day-to-day tasks and the ever-evolving communication tools we get to use, but the most gratifying part of my work is covering student events. Shining a light on educators' work and students' achievements is so meaningful. As a former biologist, I especially look forward to the Science and Engineering Fair and STEAM Expo that MCOE sponsors. It is an all-hands-on-deck staff event, and we create a welcoming space where science feels fun, accessible, and for everyone. I also love our Medical Pathways graduations. Families show up with so much pride, and the energy in the room is generous and real. In a time where more and more responsibilities are placed on public education, these moments are a reminder of its enduring power to inspire and move people.

What are some challenges?

Writing about myself doesn’t come naturally, so I suppose one challenge is some lingering impostor syndrome. Moving from higher education into K–12 has been rewarding, but it came with a significant learning curve. As a comms team of one, I’m constantly balancing strategic goals with daily demands, and the to-do list truly never ends. I’m so grateful for CalSPRA and the support from our brilliant network of colleagues. It’s the most helpful professional organization I’ve ever been part of.

Tell us about a project that you’re particularly proud of

A current project I’m proud of is the upcoming launch of SchoolsRule Mendocino County. This new initiative invites community members and businesses to invest in public education through a shared countywide fund distributed on a per-student basis. The Marin County Office of Education pioneered the foundation over a decade ago, and Sonoma COE has also independently successfully modeled it. MCOE is fortunate to learn from both as we shape an approach that fits our own county. I enjoy event planning and fundraising and have a solid background in both, so the lead-up to our launch has been especially exciting for me.

Any other thoughts?

Like many in school communications, I came to this work in a roundabout way. I started my career as a biologist, then spent 20 years in science outreach, program management, and community education at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of California. My work has always focused on communications, regardless of the agency or my title, because it brings together the puzzle pieces of strategy, storytelling, service, and public perception.

Early on, I learned that an educated public cares. As a biologist, field work and data sets were interesting, but sharing outcomes and helping people understand and care about the impact of the work was most gratifying to me. The same is true in education. When we tell our stories well, we help people relate and start seeing themselves as part of something bigger. I want people to feel more confident in public education, whether or not they have school-aged children or a direct connection. That means making it feel relevant, welcoming, and worth investing in.

This approach to communication is also what grounds my commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. At MCOE, our strategic plan explicitly calls us to promote voice, choice, and agency, and to prioritize equity as an outcome. When people see themselves reflected in the story, through the language we use, the images we choose, and the voices we center, it builds connection. IDEA is not a separate initiative. It is a continuous mindset shift embedded in how we operate. I carry it personally, and we commit to it as a leadership team and an agency to build trust, remove barriers, and help every student thrive. 

The Mendocino County Office of Education (MCOE) is one of 58 county offices in California, serving as a liaison between the state and local school districts. Located in one of California’s most geographically diverse rural counties, we provide essential support to twelve districts through state-mandated fiscal oversight, professional development, and policy guidance. Beyond these functions, MCOE offers direct services to students from infancy through young adulthood, including programs in special education, alternative education, career and college readiness, and early childhood education. Our mission and our work focus on building the capacity of schools and educators to help every student thrive.