That’s right, I have been a Spanish Teacher at Stafford Middle School since January 2014. For reference, that is before Dr. Bostic came to Stafford. I have been coaching tennis since January 2015 and I have been the Head Tennis Coach of Stafford High School since August 2015. What business does a teacher and a coach have in city politics? I want to tackle this concern head-on. Who should be about the business of civic service in our community? Is it a requirement to be retired? Is it okay to be a working professional as long as your profession can in no way shape or form be considered governmental? We have city council members right now who worked for Fort Bend County in the Court system or in other areas or who currently do so. Does this disqualify them?

I understand the concern regarding conflict of interest, and state and local law address this, but it is important to note that I work for the Stafford Municipal School District NOT for the City of Stafford. It would likely be a conflict of interest for me to run to be a Trustee for the SMSD School Board, but there is no conflict of interest or legal prohibition for an SMSD employee to run for the city council in the city where he resides, works, shops and pays taxes. I chose to raise my family here. I chose to buy a home here and matriculate my students in SMSD, because I am committed to Stafford. I actually was a resident of Stafford for a time before I became a teacher, got married and decided to buy a home here. The fact that I am a teacher for SMSD does not disqualify me to run for city council. In many ways I believe that it makes me uniquely qualified. The current make-up of city council represents retired professionals, former or current county employees, business owners, a former administrator, an urban planner, etc.

No current city council person or candidate can claim to have better vision on how SMSD is doing than me not even former SMSD Trustees. I am a teacher who is blessed to work with the youth of our city daily, not just on special occasions and for photo ops. I am in the trenches daily doing the work that matters most for creating a better future for the next generation. I am a parent of SMSD students. I am a coach of Middle School and High School tennis players who attend SMSD. Prior to my election in 2023, I was an active participant on several committees with colleagues from other campuses and campus and district administration such as the Safety and Security Committee, the School Health Advisory Committee, the Calendar Development Committee, and the District of Innovation Committee. Unlike most Stafford Municipal School District employees, I live where I work. My experience and my profession are and will continue to be an asset to City Council who expresses a keen interest in the success of SMSD and the youth of our city.