I have a bachelor’s degree in Special Education, master’s degree in Music Therapy and extensive time spent teaching groups and individuals in the classroom. I have a deep understanding of diverse learning abilities, neurodivergence, giftedness, mental health, and each one’s impact on learning.

The second essential quality to help contribute to the Amity Board of Education is non-profit management. I served on the board of NAMI Westchester (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) for 6 years; including 2 years as President. I currently work for SOSA - Safe from Online Sex Abuse, as the director of operations.

In these experiences, I’ve contributed to the creation and implementation of board governance, budgeting, and strategic planning. I’ve worked with diverse stakeholders with varying opinions and have found consensus in a diplomatic and empathetic way that brought people together for common goals.

I would learn about the needs of the Amity students, teachers, and administrators, and develop a personal plan for how I can affect and manage change or improvements. I will continue to be a team builder and facilitator in this role. I believe there is allocation in the budget currently to consider capital programs.

Music and the arts are very important parts of a competitive and thriving school environment, and are also subjects for which I am passionate. Amity’s drama programs in both the middle schools and high school have flourished. I know with our Board’s support, these departments can continue to improve . I hope to serve as a representative of the LGBTQ community and to provide real lived experience as a family in Orange.

Executive evaluation should be a balanced mix of metrics and qualitative aggregation of feedback. I believe in creating a safe space in which feedback from the teachers, parents, and colleagues can be utilized for improvement in the childrens’ experience. Whether that be anonymous or not.

I have been involved in executive evaluation and I think that some of those same metrics can be used. I think that teachers should be involved anonymously in the evaluations. Parents who have had direct experience with the superintendent should also be able to share their experiences and any suggestions.

Our budget “surplus” the last few years shows that our schools are managing not to spend their full budget, but have an important buffer for emergencies or increases in costs (for insurance, etc). It is important to maintain that trend. Our schools’ highly competitive reputations are an essential part of keeping our house values high and our communities desirable.

Our Amity school budget increases must be very carefully examined, to keep attracting skilled teachers and stay competitive in a difficult teacher shortage.

I think that it should increase if the administration’s budget necessitates it and the previous year’s surplus doesn’t cover it. Capital projects cannot be delayed because increases are unpopular.

I think a 2-4% increase is reasonable and provides for the minimal total taxpayer costs without compromising the educational mission of the schools.

The State of Connecticut sets the standards, learning outcomes, and teaching methods for curriculum. The Amity administration and teachers determine the actual materials and how they will achieve those standards and outcomes. The Board approves the curriculum.

The Board also serves as the champions for public education in our communities and makes sure that the curriculum and framework uphold the goals of the students. I think this mix is necessary for successful implementation of the curriculum.

I do not have any specific concerns about the curriculum in Amity. In listening to student representatives at board meetings, I think building the special education program and advanced / college preparation options is an integral part of keeping the curricula relevant and useful, and to meet the needs of all students.

Extracurricular opportunities are as important as any subject taught in the Amity school system. All students deserve a place to belong, compete, grow, and develop life skills that might not show up in a textbook. A field, a lab, a court, a theater, a test kitchen - all are places where development can continue out of the classroom.

I don't have specific concerns about the opportunities, but I will work to ensure they remain accessible, diverse, and expansive.

I trust the education and experience of our librarians to make these decisions and to guide Amity students to find books and media at school. I believe if parents have concerns, they can utilize the process the administration has in place and request that certain books or media not be available for their child.

Books are inherently a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about the real world and experiences of people different from them and feel validated in experiences that mirror their own. Parents are aware that there are other more pertinent threats to kids and teens online and in other forms of media.

I think the Portrait of a Graduate is finely done and is reflective of how I have experienced educator’s view of their student’s journey. Preparing students for college, a trade, or other path is about teaching them how to learn, how to communicate, learning their strengths and weaknesses, how to research effectively, work with others, and understand time management.

Teaching Amity students to be lifelong learners and thinkers is essential to their future success. Facts are available at our fingertips and skills are being taken over by AI and automation. The “North Star” created by the Portrait of a Graduate allows Amity to help students to become dynamic and capable leaders who are more prepared for an ever changing world.

Our differences and diversity is what makes the Amity community special and adds to the educational experiences of the students. I think that we can all learn from each other and am charging myself with finding common ground for all members of our community. Everyone, specifically those students’ and parents’ voices that have historically been marginalized deserve to be respected, heard, and emphasized.

It is essential to consistently evaluate our standards and programs so we can innovate to give our students the best educational experience available. When that is the center of our decisions, everyone is more successful.