As a very young child, my parents worked multiple jobs, and I lived a very isolated life. On my first day of school, my mother dropped me off at the bus stop and she was not able to stay with me until the bus came. I was terrified, standing among children I didn't know who didn't speak my language. 

I had not been socialized early, so for the first 5 years of school, I was a mute. I did not play with other kids. But I got lucky that I had a caring kindergarten teacher who created a differentiated learning program track for me which included accelerated math, reading specialists, and therapists. Because of those interventions, I'm the first in my family to attend and graduate from a 4-year college.

Here's the thing: for years, I always considered myself lucky for the help I got so early in life. But now, as a parent, I have come to believe that early interventions for children who need it, shouldn't be considered luck. It should be considered education. 

That's why I am running for the Board of Education, and why this mission is so personal for me."