WHY I’M RUNNING
What drives me hasn’t changed from when I first ran: a deep commitment to our students, our educators, and this community. I’m running again because of the people I’ve had the privilege to work for and alongside: our students, families, educators, community members, administrators, and fellow Committee members who care deeply about our schools and our shared future. That work has only reinforced how important steady, collaborative leadership is in this moment.
We are facing real challenges: changing enrollment, complex classroom environments, increasing costs and decreasing state funding, and major decisions about the future of our district. I’m running again to help us continue meet those challenges with clarity, respect, and a focus on what matters most: our students.
This year, as we implement AB Forward and select a new Superintendent, five of eleven School Committee seats are on the ballot - three from Acton. I am the only Acton incumbent.
I bring the experience, continuity, and steady leadership this moment requires, and I am counting on each of you to make sure that continues.
My Priorities
Collaborative Leadership
Our community deserves decision-making rooted in trust and respect. I will continue to listen to educators, families, and students and to guide our district with clarity and shared responsibility.
AB Forward Transition
Getting this transition right requires ongoing attention and care. I will ensure we closely track academic, social, and emotional outcomes - alongside family input - to understand how students and staff are adjusting and make thoughtful improvements to support their growth.
Hiring Our Next Superintendent
We need a leader who can help us unite behind achieving our new strategic plan's goals: high-quality education, responsive educator support, welcoming & inclusive communities, and sustainable operations.
AB Forward: Moving Our District Forward with Care
Closing and reshaping school communities is deeply personal. I've heard from families, educators, and students who are grieving real loss - I won't pretend otherwise. But here is what is at stake: ensuring long-term excellence within the resources our community can afford.
$17M
Savings Over 10 Years
43%
Increased Learning Needs
100%
Student-Centered Focus
- Enrollment continues to decline, while intensive learning needs have risen by 43% since 2015
- Our current structure has created uneven teacher workloads and student access to support across schools
- We need to ensure every student has access to the resources they need to succeed
Listening, Learning, and Evolving AB Forward
I fought for the 2024 override to preserve 80 educator positions in the face of skyrocketing costs. It passed by just 45 votes out of more than 6,000 - a clear signal that our community cares deeply and expects us to listen.
Community input didn’t just shape AB Forward - it changed my thinking.
What I heard—and how it mattered:
Families
What I heard: A fully grade-banded model would create real challenges for families with children in multiple schools and weaken community-school connections
How I responded: I championed paired lower and upper schools in the same building and strong ties between our schools and our community.
Educators & Families
What I heard: Differences in student needs across schools were leading to uneven teaching loads and student access to support
How I responded: I prioritized a model that provides educators flexibility and resources to better support every student, in every school.
School Communities
What I heard: Concern that closing schools could mean losing identity, relationships, best practices, and a sense of belonging
How I responded: I supported building new school communities on a more equal footing, not merging into existing ones
I believe in listening deeply to our community. While we won’t always agree, my responsibility is to weigh all perspectives and make decisions that serve the long-term success of every student in our district.
These decisions have been incredibly difficult for us all. This plan is stronger because of community voices, and that work of listening will continue through implementation.
Together, we are evolving AB Forward.
Learn more about AB Forward, including background, data, and planning materials on the District's AB Forward Website
Proven Record of Results
My record of leadership is defined by fiscal responsibility, collaborative problem-solving, and a steadfast commitment to student success.
State Aid Expansion
Secured over $700,000 in additional state aid for FY25 and FY26 to directly support our teachers and students.
Strategic Budgeting
3 years on Budget Subcommittee and Acton Leadership Group, bringing coordinated, balanced budgets to Town Meeting
Override Stewardship
Responsible override leadership to provide the best education our community can afford
Regional Collaboration
Strengthened regional partnerships between Acton and Boxborough, leading to more effective advocacy and cooperation.
“In communities like ours, much of the apparent “wealth” is tied up in homes, not in disposable income. Many long-term residents, including seniors, live on fixed incomes even as their home values have risen dramatically. With a small commercial tax base, nearly every dollar of additional revenue must come from homeowners rather than businesses...As you study the local contribution calculation, we ask that you consider how the formula might better account for real taxpayer elasticity, not just theoretical wealth.”
- Tori's Chapter 70 Local Contribution Study Testimony, 12/3/2025
Experience & Background
A record of leadership that spans the classroom, the great outdoors, and the battlefield, dedicated to the future of our students.
Professional Experience
Since 2020
As a teacher, I bring a deep understanding of classroom dynamics and student needs. I am currently serving as School Committee Chair, bringing a steady hand to the district’s most complex challenges.
Military Service
20+ Years
My career in the U.S. Army included roles as a Company Commander and Pentagon Project Officer, deployments to Iraq and Bosnia, and single-parenting our kids during my husband's Afghanistan tours. I developed a strong foundation in strategic planning, high-stakes decision-making, and leadership under pressure.
Education & Recognition
Harvard & West Point
West Point graduate and Truman Scholar. Trained as a West Point History Professor, I hold masters degrees from Harvard Graduate Schools of Education and Arts & Sciences. I was recognized with the Apgar Award for Excellence in Teaching for my commitment to student-centered learning.
Leadership & Advocacy
Volunteer &
Scouting
I lead a national sporting federation and volunteer as a scout leader, ensuring the young people I serve have access to the resources they need to succeed. I am dedicated to supporting neurodiverse learners and families navigating the IEP/504 process.