For over 18 years she served as a classroom music teacher and an assistant principal. She was elected to four terms as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives representing Saluda County and portions of Lexington County (House District 39). While there she championed education and children's issues and was named Legislator of the Year by the American Legion and the Department of Health and Environmental Control. She served on the Agriculture, Education and Ways and Means Committees.
In 1998, she became the Deputy Superintendent of Education for the South Carolina Department of Education and worked with educators, legislators, and the business community to pass the Education and Economic Development Act, the National Board Certification for teachers, and other progressive education reforms. From 2004 - 2014, she served as the Executive Director of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators, a professional organization representing over 3800 school and district leaders. Her understanding of the importance of strong school principals who support effective teachers will be a focus of her administration.
