At home I held a video call with Aunt Janice, who offered to care for Miles during the interview.

Marisol volunteered to drive me.

“I’m not helpless,” I protested.

“I know,” she said.

“Help isn’t the same as helplessness.”

The interview went better than I’d imagined.

I spoke about budgets, partnerships, and building services around the needs of families rather than the convenience of administrators.

Near the end, one committee member asked how I handled high-pressure conflict.