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Leading with Purpose. Serving with Heart. Advocating for You

Serving and Advocating Charleston Since 2018

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  • PTA President at St. Andrew’s School of Math and Science (2 years)

  • SIC Chair at St. Andrew’s School of Math and Science (2 years)

  • SCPTA VP of Advocacy (2 years)

  • Charleston League of Women Voters, Director of Education (3 years)

  • Charleston NAACP, Director of Education (2 years)

  • Vice Chair, CCSD D10 Constituent School Board (5 years)

  • Volunteer Reading Tutor, Reading Partners

  • Executive Committee- CCSD Calendar Committee (3 years)

  • Volunteer Mentor, Be a Mentor 

  • PTA Reflections Chair at Charleston County School of the Arts (current)

  • President Charleston County School of the Arts Middle School Band Booster Club 

PLATFORM
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Meet Joy

I was born and raised in Charleston's West Ashley community and am proud to be both a product of and a mother in Charleston County public schools. I attended CCSD schools and years later watched my own four children learn, grow, and succeed in those same schools. Those experiences have given me a unique perspective on the importance of strong public schools and the impact they have on families and communities. As a mother, I understand the hopes parents have for their children and the trust they place in our schools each day. As a public education advocate and community leader, I have dedicated years to supporting students, families, and educators while working to ensure every child in Charleston County has access to an excellent education and the opportunity to succeed. In leadership roles supporting public education, I have worked alongside parents, educators, and community members advocating for policies and investments that create better opportunities for students. Through this work, I have seen firsthand the impact that is possible when communities come together around a shared commitment to student success. I believe strong schools require strong governance. School board members have a responsibility to set clear priorities, provide thoughtful oversight, steward taxpayer resources responsibly, and hold the district accountable for results. Effective boards focus on policy and strategy, support educators, maintain transparency, and work collaboratively to solve problems and build public trust.

Priorities

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Every child deserves a high-quality education that prepares them for success in college, careers, and life.


I WILL SUPPORT:
 

  • Student growth and achievement from early childhood through graduation.

  • Strong literacy instruction and academic achievement across all subject areas.

  • Closing persistent achievement gaps by ensuring Black and Brown students have equitable access to high-quality instruction, experienced teachers, rigorous coursework, enrichment opportunities, and the support they need to succeed.

  • Robust arts and music programs which research consistently shows improve student engagement, creativity, critical thinking, attendance, and academic outcomes.

  • Career and technical education opportunities that prepare students for in-demand careers and multiple pathways to success.

  • Summer enrichment programming

  • Evidence-based approaches and proven practices that help all students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
     

I believe academic excellence means creating well-rounded educational experiences that challenge, inspire, and prepare every student to reach their full potential.

TRANSPARENCY & COMMUNITY

Families deserve to be heard, respected, and meaningfully engaged in the decisions that affect their children and their schools.
 

I WILL WORK TO:
 

  • Promote open, honest, and timely communication with families, educators, and the community.

  • Ensure true transparency through clear decision-making processes and easy access to information.

  • Encourage meaningful community involvement and create opportunities for authentic public input.

  • Build trust between schools, families, and the broader community through consistent engagement and responsiveness.

  • Support strong board governance that focuses on strategic leadership, effective oversight, and accountability for results.

  • Ensure decisions are made with integrity, responsible stewardship of public resources, and a clear focus on student outcomes.
     

I believe transparency is more than sharing information after decisions are made. It means communicating early, listening carefully, and engaging the community as a genuine partner in shaping the future of our schools. Strong governance and effective communication are essential to building public trust and moving our district forward together.

SUPPORT & SAFETY

Our educators are the heart of our schools, and strong schools depend on supporting the people who work directly with students every day, as well as ensuring learning environments where every child feels safe, supported, and ready to succeed.


I BELIEVE WE MUST:
 

  • Recruit and retain outstanding teachers, school staff, and support personnel.

  • Provide educators with the resources, training, and support they need to succeed in the classroom.

  • Respect the professional expertise of teachers and ensure their voices meaningfully inform decision-making.

  • Create school environments where teachers and staff feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work.

  • Strengthen school safety measures that protect students and staff and promote secure learning environments.

  • Expand access to student mental health supports, including counseling and wellness resources.

  • Foster positive, respectful school climates where every student feels a sense of belonging.

  • Build strong family-school partnerships that keep communication open and ensure students are supported at every level.
     

Teachers and staff understand what students need to succeed, and their insight should directly inform district priorities and decisions. When educators are supported and students feel safe and connected, academic achievement and student well-being both improve.

RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP

Taxpayer dollars should be used wisely, transparently, and strategically to support student success.


I WILL ADVOCATE FOR:
 

  • Keeping public school dollars in public schools and prioritizing classroom needs.

  • Ensuring efficient and accountable use of resources at every level of the district.

  • Engaging in long-term, sustainable planning that anticipates future needs rather than reacting to crises.

  • Making investments that directly support student learning, teacher effectiveness, and school improvement.
     

I believe responsible stewardship means every dollar should be aligned with improving outcomes for students while maintaining public trust through transparency and accountability.

WHY I 'M RUNNING.

I'm running for the Charleston County School Board in District 7 because I believe every child deserves an excellent public education, every teacher deserves strong support, and every family deserves a real voice in our schools.
 

Charleston County is home to extraordinary students and dedicated educators. We must build on that strength by supporting teachers, expanding strong academic and arts programs, and focusing on results that matter for students.

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As a mother of four children who have attended Charleston County schools, a longtime public education advocate, and a community leader, I have spent nearly a decade serving students and families across Charleston County. Since 2018, I have served in leadership roles with school PTAs and School Improvement Councils, the South Carolina PTA, the League of Women Voters of Charleston, the Charleston NAACP, and district committees focused on improving our schools.

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I am honored to have earned the trust of West Ashley voters who elected me twice to the CCSD District 10 Constituent School Board. I served for five years and was the Vice Chair for three years. During my service, I worked on student disciplinary hearings, school rezoning decisions, and student transfer requests. These issues directly impacted students, families, and schools across West Ashley. That experience gave me a deeper understanding of district governance and the importance of balancing fairness, accountability, and the needs of our community.

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Today, I continue that work through leadership roles supporting arts education and student opportunities in our schools. I’m running to strengthen our schools, expand opportunity for students, and ensure every child is prepared for success in college, careers, and life.

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I have been a consistent and vocal advocate for public education in Charleston County, working alongside parents, educators, and community members to push for excellence, accountability, and student success. I believe our schools are strongest when families, educators, and leaders work together with shared purpose and mutual respect.

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I believe strong schools require strong board governance: clear priorities, responsible stewardship, true transparency, and proactive, solutions-driven leadership. I will not wait for problems to grow. I will work to anticipate challenges early, address gaps quickly, and focus the district on what drives student success.

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Strong public schools are essential to the future of West Ashley and our entire community. I will bring people together, restore trust between families and schools, and focus on practical solutions that improve outcomes for every student.

I’m running to be a strong, proactive voice for West Ashley families, a committed advocate for educators, and a steady leader focused on delivering the excellent public schools our children deserve.

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