Calm Before Me

  Blood Like Glass, Heart Like Iron: My Triple-Diagnosis Journey Eleven years ago today, my world shifted. It was the day I learned that my son and I shared more than just a last name and a stubborn streak—we shared a rare genetic blood disorder called Hereditary Elliptocytosis (HE) . What is HE? For most people, red blood cells are shaped like flexible discs. For us, they are shaped like ovals or cigars. The Good News: For many, it’s a silent passenger that causes little to no trouble. The Reality: For about 5–20% of us, those odd-shaped cells break down (hemolysis), leading to things like jaundice, gallstones, and an enlarged spleen. My son has a mild case; he sees his hematologist once a year, and we are so grateful for that. But my journey has been a bit more... complicated. The Battle of the Spleen I remember February 27, 2015, vividly. My spleen had enlarged to 15cm . My hematologist discussed removing it, but at that time, the risks were simply too high. That was the turn...

  Reflecting on Advocacy: A Journey for Educational Equity in Boston Public Schools 📍 As I look back on my journey as a parent advocate within Boston Public Schools (BPS), I am reminded of the profound impact advocacy can have—not just on my own life, but on the lives of countless families across our district. I have strived to be more than just a name within the BPS community; I have aimed to be a beacon of hope and a living example of what it means to stand up for educational justice. First and foremost, I am a devoted mother to my son, Landen, a proud BPS graduate. My role as his mother made me a fierce defender of equity. My commitment has always been to the children of BPS—especially the most vulnerable. Through my work—from navigating special education rights to leading the charge to Save the Dever—I’ve seen that parental love, when channeled into action, can move mountains. As I step down from my formal role, I reflect on the three pillars that guided my work: Empowerment, ...

The Domino Effect: How Budget Cuts and Closures are Unraveling the Fabric of BPS In my October opinion piece for the Boston Herald , "Mayor Wu’s words on BPS aren’t enough," I laid out a hard truth: a polished speech cannot hide a crumbling reality. While the "State of the Schools" address focused on the future, many of us in the community—especially at the Dever School —are just trying to survive the present. To truly understand why we are fighting, we have to look past the spreadsheets and see the human cost. When we talk about "reorganization," we are witnessing a domino effect that starts with a pen stroke in City Hall and ends with a heartbroken child in a classroom. 1. The Budget: A Foundation of Sand The administration often speaks of "record-level funding," but for those of us on the ground, that money feels like a ghost. We see a massive disconnect between top-heavy administrative costs and the actual resources reaching our students. Wh...

Our Kids Aren’t a Deficit: Why the BPS Cuts Are a Failure of Priorities The headlines in Boston are currently full of talk about "budget realignment" and "fiscal cliffs." But let’s call it what it really is: Boston Public Schools is preparing to dismantle its own backbone while our children watch in fear. Last week, BPS leadership unveiled a $1.71 billion budget proposal for the 2026–2027 school year. While they’ve framed it as a funding increase, the reality is a staggering $53 million deficit . The district’s solution? Eliminating 400 staff positions , including over 200 teachers and 100 paraprofessionals. A Witness to the Cycle I have been an advocate for several years now, and I have seen some pretty heartbreaking things happen to our BPS community. I have stood loud and proud, speaking out about the busing crisis, the looming threat of state receivership, the fight for fair teacher contracts, and the trauma of school closures. At the center of every one of thes...