Karen is running to fill one of TWO open seats on the Regional School Committee
Why do you want to serve in this position?
I have been serving on this committee for the past year (since June 2020). I was the successful candidate of 3 interviewed to finish a year term for someone who moved away. This year has been a whirlwind with COVID and that has taken the majority of our time, rightfully so. Only having served a year, there is so much more for me to do and experience at Algonquin. As you see my qualifications below, there is much I have to offer from my experience in public education. I have the unique position of having the perspectives of many stakeholders- teachers, district administrators, school committee members, parents, and students (having 2 children currently at Algonquin Regional High School). Please- let’s not forget the students! They have voices too. When the seat opened last year, I thought it was a natural fit for me to serve my town in this capacity.
What special qualifications and experience will you bring to the office?
I was a high school science teacher for 7 years and a district administrator in a regional school district for 5 years. In my district administrator roles as Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) Director and Interim Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning, I regularly attended school committee meetings and presented curriculum and budgetary updates. I have organized and taught several professional development workshops for teachers. Currently, I serve as the Executive Director of the Blackstone Valley Education Hub, a non-profit education partner of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, that works with high schools in the Blackstone Valley and area businesses to train and certify students and adult learners for Advanced Manufacturing Careers. I have taught all levels of learners when I was in the classroom and have a grasp of the challenges that teachers face regularly. I am a good listener and team player. Throughout the past several years, I have learned much about what it takes to bring our classrooms and students to the next level of learning and am passionate about seeking ways to improve learning opportunities for our students
Describe ONE other activity or (sub) committee you’ve been involved with within the town. What has it meant to you and how did it shape and impact the town?
I have been on the Town Common Committee since its inception in 2014 and worked with an amazing group of people to bring it from concept to life! This has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have formed close friends through this experience and quite honestly, every time I go by, I gaze at it and smile. To know you had an impact on such a wonderful part of the town is extremely gratifying. The Town Common has become a center spot in Northborough, a place to honor our Gulf War veterans and just a nice green space that attracts walkers and people meeting friends. Last summer, the Black Lives Matter groups had demonstrations there, there were several COVID wedding ceremonies over the past year, and it’s even a “check-in” spot on Facebook. The Town Common has changed our downtown for the better.
On a related note, as the Town Common Committee was preparing for the Town meeting to get it approved, we were looking for a way to have budget friendly professional landscape drawings done for the presentation. I suggested we reach out to the Algonquin students taking engineering design classes-and they were able to help us. Not only did these students come up with a beautiful presentation for us, they were involved in a town project themselves. It was a win-win and the type of learning all students should have an opportunity to take part in- a real world project related directly to their classroom curriculum.
Describe THREE key issues/challenges facing the town and how will you address them in this role?
I will address these as three issues facing the schools. First, of course, the coronavirus pandemic. We are still in the throes of bringing our children back to their classrooms, which is wonderful. We need to keep them there. The district and school administrators, teachers and staff have all done an amazing job this past year and continue to think out of the box and strategize to be sure students are safe. Their safety is the top priority and I will continue to support the administration with whatever needs necessary to keep children in the classroom. Second- equity: this includes so many things: racial equity, gender equity, financial equity, and equity amongst learning opportunities for students of all abilities. I will continue to bring these issues to the forefront on proposed topics. My specific background is relevant here as I was a staunch supporter (and still am) of giving students voice and choice in their learning. I also hope to serve on the Curriculum Subcommittee, where we can delve into disparities amongst curriculum used in various courses. In my one-year term thus far, many subcommittees have had to take a back seat due to the pandemic, but I am slated to serve on this subcommittee. Lastly, budget is always a concern for the town and schools. By continuing to work with the administration, we can accomplish goals by setting priorities for items such as capital improvements, staffing, and curriculum. Our town is a desirable place to live, especially for families, because of the stellar reputation of our schools. It is part of our job on the School Committee to help bring forth budgets that allow for continued growth but in a fiscally responsible manner.
Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself?
I moved to Northborough with my husband and then 6-month-old daughter 18 years ago. We knew nobody in town. Since then, through school, town sports, Boy Scouts and various other activities, we have come to know many wonderful people, many of whom will be friends to last a lifetime. I have volunteered my time for many things throughout these years: soccer coach, elementary school council, Boy Scout merit badge counselor and wreath sale coordinator, workshop presenter at the Northborough Junior Women’s Club STEM Summit for girls, and Town Common Committee member. I couldn’t be happier with our decision to move here and raise our family in Northborough and feel it’s important to give back to the community in these ways.