Growing up, both of Kate’s parents were newspaper reporters, and family dinner conversations often included discussions of events happening at the local, state, and national levels. She learned early on that the policies our elected officials enact have powerful, long-lasting effects on communities and people. Kate’s first job was as a seventh-grade public school teacher in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood of Atlanta. After graduating from Harvard Law School, she worked as a judicial clerk in the federal courts; a legal consultant for states, school districts, colleges, and nonprofit organizations on efforts to improve outcomes for children and students; and as the Chief Legal Counsel at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education. Prior to joining the State House, Kate was a Melrose City Councilor-At-Large where she raised the bar for resident engagement, created and served as the liaison to the School Committee, and oversaw the City Council’s budget process.
As a product of public schools, Kate’s commitment to public education is evident throughout her life. She was a seventh-grade public school English and reading teacher after college and attended Harvard Law School to pursue a career in education law and policy. Kate has been working over the last decade to support efforts in early, K-12, and higher education.
In 2015, Kate began working as Chief Legal Counsel at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education. While working at the EOE, she contributed to the development of the landmark education funding law, the Student Opportunity Act, which invested $1.5 billion of new money in public schools over the next seven years and helped advance a new law to protect students and faculty from sudden college closures. She also served on the Massachusetts Safe and Supportive Schools Commission and the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.
As a City Councilor, Kate created and filled the role of the Council liaison to the School Committee to enhance collaboration across the local government. She endorsed and was a vocal advocate for the successful 2019 tax override for school funding.
As State Representative, Kate has filed and cosponsored numerous bills that seek to ensure all Massachusetts students have access to excellent teachers, resources, and curricula and that educators are supported and empowered in their professional settings.