Why did you choose to serve on your school’s board? Initially, I was hesitant to serve on the board, mainly because I didn’t know what to expect. I had served on several non-profit boards, from University Alumni and Foundation boards to small local non-profits, but a charter school was an entirely different animal. Not having any children, I wasn’t even aware of Kenner Discovery Health Science Academy (KDHSA)’s existence. But I ultimately viewed serving on the board as an opportunity to volunteer in the local community, and as a professional challenge. Now, after having served for nearly a year, I see my board service as an opportunity to promote school choice as a means of innovation and progress. This shift in perspective is a direct result of my service on KDHSA’s board. Since joining, I’ve been witness to the dedication and love that our teachers, administration, staff and board have for our students. Our recent ‘A’ rating is a testament to their leadership and I am thrilled to be a part of such a dynamic team.
How did you become involved with your school? I was asked to serve on KDHSA’s board about a year ago, partly because of my legal background and partly because of my prior non-profit board service. There was a formal interview with several current board members and then the board formally voted to add me shortly thereafter.
What leadership roles have you had while serving on the board? As a board member, I’ve had the opportunity to judge KDHSA’s annual speech competition and also attend LAPCS’s conference regarding financial management. Most recently I was tasked with heading up a diversity campaign which was geared towards increasing African-American applicants for KDHSA. Thanks to our team, we exceeded our goals and the campaign was deemed a huge success. Our school is rapidly growing and I look forward to future opportunities to serve.
How can people help your school if they are interested? Our school will be holding our own fundraising initiative on May 3, 2016, in conjunction with GiveNOLA Day. Anyone interested should check out our website for more details at discoveryhsf.org. Additionally, anyone seeking volunteer opportunities should visit our website to find out additional information. We welcome groups as well as individuals looking to volunteer.