THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS

Hamilton made the phrase famous, but years of community work have taught me something a little different:

Leadership isn’t just about being in the room. It’s about being able to work with everyone in it.

Today, I had the opportunity to spend some time with Senator Darline Graham. We talked about something we have in common: both of us are first-time candidates, both stepped forward because we believe we can serve, and both are learning what it means to give a campaign everything you have while keeping your eyes on the reason you started.

We may not see every issue exactly the same way, and that’s okay. What I admire is her grit. Campaigns bring criticism, distractions and plenty of voices from outside the actual race. Through all of it, you have to stay grounded in your mission and keep moving forward.

That conversation reminded me of something my years of community work have already taught me.

Progress happens when we listen, build relationships, bring people together, find common ground and stay focused on the problem we are trying to solve. Over the years, my work in Anderson has given me opportunities to work alongside elected officials and community leaders with very different perspectives as we’ve tackled some of our community’s greatest needs.

That is exactly how I believe a School Board Trustee should serve.

A Trustee holds the public trust and represents everybody, every student, every family, every teacher, every taxpayer and every part of our community.

Our School Board should stay focused on the pressing needs of Anderson School District Five and on doing what is best for our kids.

I can stand beside people from different political worlds and still know exactly what race I’m running and exactly what my job is.

Putting Kids First.