Since I began in education in 1996, I have been a visionary and leader in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, providing resources and services to advance Pre K-12 public education for underserved and underrepresented students throughout the greater Houston community. As the founder and CEO of CSTEM Teacher and Student Support Services, Inc., I have learned to optimize resources, work collaboratively, and responsibly with community-based organizations, industry, as well as the education community with a balanced approach in decision making. I strongly support local control—believing that the members of the community elect individuals to lead the county, and that those elected officials should be accountable to those that elect them. Decisions affecting our schools and our students should be made in Houston.