Each candidate for Mamaroneck School Board submitted responses to LWV-LM requests for information:
A biographical statement:
Athena Belsito-Maikish has served on the Board of Education for the past three years, including two as Vice President. She has worked diligently across nearly all Board committees, including Curriculum, Policy and Law, Finance, Buildings, Communications, and Universal Pre-K and also served as Board Liaison to the District Equity Team, Hommocks Middle School, Mamaroneck High School, and the PT Council.
Athena began her career in research and consulting, then moved into teaching and coaching at the middle and high school levels. She has consulted for organizations including Accenture, Goldman Sachs, Save the Children, the World Bank, and UNESCO, combining her data skills with a deep understanding of how systems work.
After a second career in tech at Uber and eBay/StubHub, Athena now focuses on supporting organizations that expand educational opportunities and strengthen community support for children. Locally, she volunteers with the Central PTA, the Larchmont Mamaroneck Youth Lacrosse League, and the Girl Scouts.
Athena has her PhD in Education Development from NYU, an MA from Teachers College in Educational Administration and a BA from Dartmouth College in Economics with a minor in Education. She lives in Mamaroneck with her wife, Christine—a Mamaroneck schools alum—and their three children, who attend Central School.
Why you are running for the Mamaroneck School Board?
As someone who grew up in the New York City public school system, I know first-hand the transformative power of a strong public education. School was where I felt safe,
challenged, and supported—and that experience changed the course of my life. I want every child in our district to feel that same sense of challenge and possibility. That’s why I’m running for re-election to the Board of Education.
Over the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as Vice President of the Board. I’m seeking re-election because I want to continue putting my experience to work for our students, families, and educators. My focus remains on strengthening our district through three core priorities:
● Fostering rigorous instruction and expanding academic and career pathways
● Using data transparently and collaboratively to monitor student learning and inform instruction
● Enriching student experiences through opportunities like math teams, language enrichment, and expanded athletic offerings that reflect students’ diverse
interests and help build meaningful connections
Our children deserve an education that meets their individual needs, inspires them to reach their full potential, and prepares them to lead with thoughtfulness, resilience, and curiosity in a complex and ever-changing world. I’m committed to helping make that vision a reality—for every student in the Mamaroneck School District.
What is the biggest issue facing our schools and how can you help address it?
Our district faces a twofold challenge that impacts the quality of education for every student—and the long-term strength of our community. First, we serve a large and
diverse student population, but we have a relatively small tax base. The structure of our municipalities creates funding constraints, making it harder to stay
competitive—especially in attracting and retaining experienced teachers. At the same time, this financial pressure makes it even more critical to strike the right balance
between academic rigor and support, so every student has the opportunity to thrive.
While the School Board doesn’t control how properties are assessed or taxed, we do make decisions that directly affect how well our schools serve students. That’s why we must invest in strategies that help educators meet each learner where they are—and move them forward. That includes offering more academic challenge earlier, so high-achieving students don’t wait until high school to be stretched. At the same time, we must ensure strong supports for students who need extra help. Every child deserves a responsive, high-quality education.
I’ll continue to advocate for real-time, transparent data to help teachers respond quickly to student needs. I’ll support curriculum planning that strengthens both advanced
academic and career pathways, and I’ll prioritize resources like tutoring, mentoring, and extracurriculars. I’ll also work to smooth transitions—from elementary to middle, and middle to high school—through earlier interventions, clear benchmarks, and stronger communication among families, teachers, and school leaders.
Strong schools rely on strong partnerships—with families, educators, and the broader community. With experience in education research, teaching, global consulting, tech
innovation, and Board leadership, I’m ready to keep working to ensure every student in our district has the support, challenge, and opportunity they need to succeed.