Happy Lunar New Year!

Happy Lunar New Year, which auspiciously begins on the same day as Black History Month!

This year of the Tiger, I'm honored I get to continue my work advancing literacy as DC's first Asian-American member of the DC State Board of Education. 

On January 19, I convened a literacy steering committee with colleagues from DCPS, OSSE, DME, DCPCSB, including reading instructors, as well as a diverse range of other literacy stakeholders in DC, such as literacy-focused non-profits, foundations, public librarians, and university administrators. We've been working together the last half year to align our vision and strategy to advance literacy across DC. I'd appreciate your feedback on our latest working draft.

Yesterday, I joined Councilmember Brooke Pinto in sending a letter to Dr. Grant at OSSE requesting a response to the extraordinarily troubling reporting of sexual misconduct at Duke Ellington. The systems we have put in place to protect our children have failed in this instance. The city must do more to keep our children safe.

In January, the State Board swore in a new student representative, Liv Birnstad, a junior at Capital City Public Charter School. Please join me in welcoming Representative Birnstad to the DCSBOE!

I've been continuing to visit schools in Ward 2. It's been great to see many of you in-person! The feedback I get from students, families, and educators is invaluable to me. Please don't hesitate to call or text me to share your experiences, perspectives, and recommendations. My phone number is (202) 735-7062.