My name is Leela Mitra, and I am extremely proud of the public education I received in the Mamaroneck Union Free School District and am running to give back to the district that gave me so much. I was born in Manhattan and am the eldest child of immigrants from France and India. After my family moved to Mamaroneck, I attended Central School, then Hommocks Middle School, and finally graduated from Mamaroneck High School. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Fordham University’s College at Lincoln Center, and additionally spent half a year studying at Sciences Po, an international research university focusing specifically on social sciences. My experiences since graduating include working with the New York State Division of Human Rights, in Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s Office, and joining Americorps where I was placed at the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. After I finished my Americorps service, I worked as a Foster Care Caseworker in the Bronx for Rising Ground, a non profit focused on minimizing children’s time in the foster care system by planning cases for family court. Although the ongoing pandemic unfortunately halted that work, my dedication to helping children by providing vital services remains strong.
Why are you running for the Mamaroneck School Board?
My family and I have been proud Mamaroneck residents since 2005. I am the child of immigrants who chose to settle in Mamaroneck/Larchmont in part for its excellent schools. I went through all three tiers of the district and felt extremely prepared for the world ahead of me. My younger brother graduated from the district in 2019 and my youngest brother is in Hommocks Middle School. Since graduating from MHS and then Fordham University, I have dedicated myself to public service. Although I don’t have children enrolled in the district, as someone who has been shaped by the Mamaroneck public schools, I believe I can bring a unique perspective to the Board of Education’s decision-making process. I would not be where I am today without the opportunities afforded by the Mamaroneck public schools. I am running because I want to give back to the community that helped raise me.
What is the biggest issue facing our schools, and how can you help address it?
COVID-19 is our school district’s most pressing challenge. Returning to a sense of normalcy while keeping the safety concerns of every teacher, student, and parent at the forefront should be the goal. Parents are desperate to have their children back in school, and teachers know that the best place for students to learn is in the classroom, but the health of those in school buildings is a large concern. Students, teachers, and staff should have the opportunity to make their voices heard through regular check-ins to see if any improvements need to be made to the current approach. No one can concentrate or be present in a classroom while feeling unprotected. Soliciting input from all parties is essential as we navigate a pandemic-centered life in schools until the end of the year. At Rising Ground, I served as a liaison between the birth family, the foster family, and the lawyers. Due to the intensity of this line of work and the high stakes, a large portion of my interactions with the families and lawyers was conflict resolution. I will bring this ability to balance the needs of multiple parties as we confront the lingering effects of COVID-19 on our school district.