LETTER: McAllister to Run For School Committee

I enthusiastically announce my intention to run for School Committee of the Bedford Public Schools and I respectfully ask for your vote.

As a graduate of the Bedford Public Schools, I bring the perspective of a student. The purpose of any system must be to prepare its students to be college or career ready upon completion and this system certainly fulfilled their mission to me. I was able to move on to Northeastern University, where I earned my B.A. and then on to Harvard University, where I earned my M.Ed. in teaching and curriculum. I feel a responsibility to repay the system that gave me the start that all of our students deserve.

As an educator with 10 years of classroom experience, I bring the perspective of a teacher. I was a middle school teacher for 7 years and a high school teacher for 3 more. In addition, I served as a K-12 Curriculum Director for 3 years, which helped me understand the curriculum, instruction, and assessment of an entire system.

As a public school Principal, I bring the perspective of a school leader. I am in my fourth year as Principal of the Daniel Butler Elementary School in Belmont so I can identify with the challenge of gaining a community’s trust in a new leadership position. Like Bedford, Belmont has undergone many leadership changes so I also understand the pressures that such extensive turnover brings to a high performing district.

As the father of a son at Davis School and a daughter at Lane School, I bring the perspective of a parent wanting, as we all do, a top tier educational experience for our children.

2013 is an important time for Bedford’s Schools:

• New students and families are bringing needs that require new capacities from our system.
• New mandates, such as the new Educator Evaluation system, are asking more of teachers than ever before.
• New leadership requires the support and oversight of a knowledgeable School Committee.

Despite all of these changes, one thing remains the same: the desire to sustain a level of high achievement and opportunity for all students. During this time the School Committee has the responsibility for providing the support our school leaders require, with the oversight that the residents of Bedford deserve. I believe I bring the experience and expertise to do both.Please help give me the opportunity to do so by voting on Saturday, March 9, 2013.

 Michael E. McAllister, Notre Dame Road, Bedford