Biographical statement:
My husband and I moved to this community in 2003 and our three sons attend MHS, HMX and Murray Avenue School. I received a B.A. from Tufts University with a major in Child Development and Community Health and a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Yeshiva University.
I have extensive community experience. In the Mamaroneck schools, I’m currently the President of SEPTA, our District-wide Student Support Services PTA and have held numerous other PTA leadership positions. I am also on the District Equity team and part of the committee revising the Code of Conduct Policy. Previously, I served as a Steering Committee member of the Enrollment Task Force.
In the larger community, I serve on the Board of the Friends of the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Community Counseling Center. I am also the Vice-Chair of the Camp Council of The Union of Reform Judaism’s 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy and member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group. I am a member of the Larchmont Temple COVID-19 Task Force and previously served LT on the Board of Trustees and on the advisory board of the Larchmont-Mamaroneck STEM Alliance. For a full list of my leadership experience please visit my website at www.MMforMamk.com.
Why I’m running for the BoE:
Through the years of collaboration with many community stakeholders, I have gained a thorough knowledge of and appreciation for the different aspects of the MUFSD and varying needs of our community. I understand the strengths and challenges of our schools. These challenges are complex and will not have simple solutions. I would love the opportunity to serve the students, families and residents of Larchmont and Mamaroneck. I believe that I have the right background, experience and dedication to our school district to make a positive contribution. As an active community leader, I have demonstrated my ability to work hard, think critically, and solve problems with compassion.
As a homeowner and parent of 3 district students, I have a vested interest in the success of our schools now and for the future. The whole community benefits when we have strong schools and flourishing students. If elected, I will use my knowledge and experience to make balanced and informed decisions with the goal of helping ALL students reach their full potential. At the same time, I recognize that these decisions are hard and there are competing needs and constraints. As a Board member, I will balance the need to be fiscally responsible while striving towards innovation and improvements to our schools.
What is the biggest issue facing our schools, and how can you help address it?
One of the most critical issues facing our school district is managing the educational, social and emotional consequences of the prolonged pandemic. Our entire community (students, parents, faculty, administrators and board members) has experienced trauma, loss, and massive disruption to the trajectory of our lives. There is also great variability in how individuals have been impacted during this time. We need to identify the educational, social, and emotional needs of our students and develop a plan for how to work towards mitigating those challenges. At the same time, it is essential to provide support for our faculty, staff and administrators while they undertake this important work.
I am passionate about the emotional, social, and intellectual well-being of all children in our community. My training as a Clinical Psychologist and education in child development, provides me with important insight and knowledge in this area. I am familiar with trauma informed practices and understand emerging trends in pedagogy that will inform our responses to the pandemic to ensure the health, well-being, and education of our students.