My Transparency to You

My Experience and What It Taught Me

After my departure from the Salt Lake City School District in August 2024, I took time to reflect on both my experience and the broader environment within the district.

Over the course of my 37-year career in education—including 27 years serving students and families in Salt Lake City—I built a record grounded in integrity, service, and results. My professional history was discipline-free, and I am proud of the contributions I made to support students, educators, and school communities.

However, I came to recognize a troubling shift within the district’s culture. Frequent leadership turnover—five superintendents in five years—coincided with an increasingly top-down approach to decision-making. In that environment, long-standing experience, professional contributions, and employee voice were too often undervalued.

I also witnessed and experienced a climate where decisions felt punitive rather than supportive, and where employees could feel vulnerable despite years of dedicated service. Like many professionals, I believed that staying focused on my work would be enough. My experience showed me that stronger systems of fairness, transparency, and accountability are essential.

Context and Accountability

In July 2024, I was one of three witnesses for Salt Lake City School District at an employee hearing for an individual appealing a reduction in force. During the hearing, there were things I could not remember and I unknowingly provided inaccurate information. The following month, I was terminated and referred to the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission (UPPAC), which resulted in a two-year suspension of my professional license.

I take responsibility for my role in that situation. At the same time, it is important to understand that this single incident occurred within the context of an otherwise 37-year career defined by dedication, ethical service, and meaningful contributions across multiple districts and states.

A Commitment to Advocacy and Accountability

As a result of this experience, I have become more engaged in advocating for educators and due process protections. I testified during the 2026 Utah Legislative Session in support of SB312: Educator License Amendments, legislation focused on educator rights and professional standards.

This work reflects my continued commitment to ensuring that educators are treated fairly and that school systems operate with integrity and transparency.

Why I Continue to Serve

This experience, while difficult, has strengthened my resolve. It has deepened my understanding of how policies and leadership decisions impact educators and, ultimately, students.

I remain committed to what matters most:

• Supporting student success and well-being 
• Ensuring fair and transparent systems for educators 
• Strengthening trust between schools and the community 

I am sharing my story in the spirit of transparency and accountability. It is also the reason I am seeking to continue serving Salt Lake City schools—this time in a school board leadership role where I can help ensure that every decision reflects fairness, respect, and a focus on students.

I welcome thoughtful questions and open dialogue about my experience, including my work with SLCSD, UPPAC, and my advocacy at the state level.

Articles related to my experience can be found below.

https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2026/03/24/utah-teaching-license-suspended-or/

https://www.deseret.com/utah/2026/03/24/teacher-licensing-bill-utah/

https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2026/04/08/utah-teachers-face-unfair-uppac/

https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/northern-utah/lawmakers-expand-audit-of-salt-lake-city-school-district-to-include-discipline-licensing-oversight

Governor Spencer Cox signed SB312: Educator License Amendments into law on March 26, 2026.

https://le.utah.gov/asp/passedbills/passedbills.asp