First, say a little bit about yourself.
Along with love for the written word, children have always had a special place in my heart, so I combined the two and became an educator, but not before raising two beautiful daughters. A long past co-president of Fales School Association and former substitute teacher in the system, I always took an active role in my children’s education right down to coaching their volleyball and tennis teams. As an educator, I wore many hats including department chair, mentor and literary advisor.
Happily married to a wonderful man, my husband Michael grew up in Westborough and is a business owner in town. Our roots run deep in this town, and I can’t think of a better way to give back to the community than by giving voice to all parents and students through my involvement on the school committee.
Why are you running for School Committee?
For me, it’s all about the children. With a seat on the school committee, I will play an active role in assessing programs and policies that ensure a quality education, that develop critical thinking skills, and that focus on academics. I bring to the table my experience as a parent who had children in Westborough schools as well as my expertise as a teacher. In holding this unique position, I am able to collaborate with compassion and understanding.
What would you consider to be the top three issues for Westborough Public Schools?
Health and wellness of our students are of national concern. The Center for Disease Control released a report in February about “the growing wave of sadness, violence and trauma” in high school girls. Children in the lower grades are also experiencing anxiety. Parents and teachers should partner together to address these concerns.
Westborough has a great school system, most certainly for the self-motivated, high achievers. Engaging the average student to be a lifelong learner is the challenge.
Trends in education are feathers to the wind, and oftentimes, decisions to implement them are more emotional rather than factual. It is important to know all the facts and assess the impact on the students before embracing those trends.
After more than two years, COVID-19 has started to recede. How do you believe the schools are handling the impact from the pandemic – mental health, MCAS scores, etc.?
The impact of COVID-19 on our educational system will be felt for many years to come. Given the loss of more than a year of in-person learning, I believe additional classroom aides, especially in the lower grades, would be welcomed. And in combating anxiety, a focus on students’ well-being is essential. The questions to ask are what was learned from the experience, both the good and the bad, and how can we adjust?
