Patch Candidate Profile: Alexandrea Kemeny For Norwalk Board Of Education

NORWALK, CT — Election Day on Nov. 4 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing their towns.

Candidate's Name:

Alexandrea Kemeny

What office are you seeking?

Board of Education

What town do you live in?

Norwalk

Party Affiliation:

Independent Party

Occupation:

Retired Teacher- 31 years & co-founder at Crystal Theatre

Family:

One daughter, Hannah Daley-Holder 30 years old

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

No.

Why are you seeking this office?

There are many reasons for my decision to run for the Board. First and foremost is the lack of communication between administration, teachers and parents. Administration has too much control over both teachers and parents. Teachers need to be allowed to teach and parents need to parent.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is the lowering of academic and behavioral standards. Students can step up , be respectful and do more challenging work. Human nature is to do what is required. Let us require more.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Not only did I attend Norwalk Public Schools K-12, but I was a teacher in Norwalk Public Schools for 31 years. In my experience, I have seen what was and what should and can be. The Norwalk Public School Mission is to make our students "Future Ready". Data is skewed and manipulated to look as if this is true. But the population of our student body has significately changed in the past 5 years and I don't believe we are meeting the needs of our students. Lowering the standards to make our stuents "feel" successful is not a realistic approach in preparing them to be "Future Ready".

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

The main issue I intend to address is making our students "Future Ready". Raising the expectations and helping students reach them is the teachers' goal. Giving them the tools is the Board of Ed.'s goal. Our student population is diverse and so should be our curricula. (1) Finding a pathway for our Special Ed. students for success in their future. (2) Helping our MLL students to be proficient in English so they can tackle a rigorous academic career. Many of our MLL students are held back due to a language barrier but could excel with the right tools. We need to give them those tools so they can achieve "The American Dream". (3) Many students are not meant to go on to college. We need to find pathways for them to succeed. With such a diverse population we need to have a diverse curriculum.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Having been a teacher for 31 years, I know the ins and outs of the classroom. I know the pressures the teachers, counselors and social workers feel from the administration, from the mountains of paperwork and lesson planning required that tie their hands from giving more of their time to the actual classroom and students. They need a voice and I plan on working with them to use their ideas and strategies to help their students succeed. They are a resource that has not been tapped.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

If at first you don't succeed; try, try again.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

This is the fourth time I'm running as a Board of Education candidate. As my advice stated, I try, try again. I'm hoping that this time voters vote for who is best qualified and not just vote party line. I was born and raised in Norwalk and my intentions are honorable. I want what's best for our city which means a strong educational system that leads to an educated populous and citizenry.