I wanted to take this opportunity to address our selectwoman, Kristi Sogofsky’s, comments stating that I am “someone who is deeply involved in and very public about her position on many of the difficult issues currently facing our school boards” in her recent Op-Ed. Although my name wasn’t mentioned, she was referring to my recent appointment to the Region 9 Board of Education.
Our school boards have been a model of bipartisan collaboration for as long as I have been here, and I would have it no other way. In my perspective, it is no different than the collaboration we have on the PTO, scouts, or various sports teams. At the end of the day, we all want what is best for our kids and community. This toxic environment — that some have created — is taking precious time and attention away from what truly matters.
I have always been deeply involved in our schools, and let me clarify that I am very public about my position on the safety of our children and on funding our excellent schools.
There are challenging issues that face our school district each year. As a parent who is committed to ensuring that our students receive the highest quality public school education, I have always felt that it is my duty to get involved and find solutions to our challenges. I am the type of parent that volunteers, takes an active role for the betterment of our schools and community, and doesn’t shy away from a challenge.
For those of you who don’t know me or my background, I’m a marketing and communications professional working for a local nonprofit that promotes safe, healthy, and vibrant communities where children and families thrive. I have volunteered for the Easton PTO and former PTA as the Wellness Committee Chair, the Easton 175th Anniversary Planning Committee, Boys & Girls Club of Redding-Easton as a softball coach, and as the former Welcome Club of Fairfield & Easton Playgroup Coordinator.
I currently lead a steering committee for the Connecticut State Taskforce on Adverse Childhood Experiences & Resilience, and starting in August I will serve on the Region 9 Board of Education through the November election.
My two children attend Helen Keller Middle School and Joel Barlow High School, and they have grown up in the Easton school system. We truly feel so fortunate to live in this quaint and beautiful town.
Prior to the pandemic, I had owned a successful photography business for 15 years, and worked as a consultant for small business owners. Like many others, my work came to a screeching halt once we could no longer show up for our clients in-person. Our family was faced with some difficult decisions during the weeks that followed. I decided that it was time to pivot. I didn’t quite know what my pivot would look like, but I had faith it would work out.
That faith led me to one of my dear Easton friends, Karen O’Brien. Karen was her gracious self, and referred me to a job posting that one of her friends had shared. I got the job soon after, and I’m forever grateful for the opportunities it has brought my way to help Easton and the residents of Fairfield County while partnering on initiatives focused on the health, education, and financial stability of all of our residents.
I look forward to serving on the Region 9 Board of Education, and working to ensure that all of our students have the opportunity for growth, security, and success at JBHS.
