Dana Levens: Chester School Board Candidate

CHESTER, NJ — The Chester Board of Education has a contested election on Nov. 2, with eight candidates who filed to run for three available, three-year seats.

Dana Levens is one of the candidates to put her hat in the ring.

The other candidates on the ballot include:

• Thomas G. Murphy
• Sarah Schultz
• John Barounis
• Simone Campbell
• Sara Kalashian
• Carolina Rodriguez
• Matthew R. Downs

Of all of the candidates, Kalashian is the only incumbent among them.

Editor's Note: Are you a candidate on the ballot? Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the office of the clerk. The responses received will be published between now and the General Election. Candidates who would like to participate but did not receive one (for whatever reason) may contact jennifer.miller@patch.com.

Here are Levens' responses below:

Name: Dana Levens

Town of residence: Chester Township

Position Sought: Board of Education member, 3 year term.

Family: Husband: Robert. Daughter: Lainey, age 12 (7th grade at BRMS). Son: Dominic, age 7 (2nd grade at Dickerson).

Education: Livingston High School, Livingston, NJ. Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education from County College of Morris. Currently enrolled at Southern New Hampshire University studying Public Administration.

Occupation:
Current:
*Co-founder of the Chester-Mendham Angels, a charitable organization that focuses on community outreach in the Chester-Mendham area.

Former:
*Long-time Early Childhood Center Director, responsible for all aspects of the business including classroom curriculum management and oversight, budget maintenance and strategic allocation of funds, as well as a parent liaison, fielding various concerns about the student experience.
*Pre-K teacher, responsible for lesson planning and implementation and classroom management.

Previous or current elected appointed office: None.

Why are you seeking to run for school board? I am running for the Chester Board of Education because I have extensive experience in education and administration, and volunteerism is close to my heart. My life's work has been dedicated to children. I am an enthusiastic volunteer within our schools and a devoted member of this community. I believe in having open communication between the administration and parents, and that parent involvement in our children's education is imperative to a successful student career. I believe in the public school experience, and that our schools are some of the best in the nation thanks to fantastic teachers and a stellar administration. I want to be a part of our Board because I have the relevant experience, the time, and the motivation as a parent to contribute in a positive way. Political extremism and partisan politics have no place on a school Board, and we must avoid that happening here in Chester. I respect the other Board members and our superintendent and am confident that my experience and abilities would be an asset to the Chester Board of Education.

What is your stance on masks in school? It is a state mandate and we are therefore required to wear masks in school. I support the mandate based on recommendations from health experts, and my main concern is to keep our children learning safely in school. I look forward to the day when masks are no longer required.

Should schools offer a virtual option? Children learn best in person, in school. Our schools have done a stellar job of keeping our children safe and protected during in-person learning. Having the option for full time virtual instruction is taxing on the teachers, as they have to create engaging lessons for 2 different sets of children, both in-person and virtual, and it is no easy feat. To avoid teacher burnout, and to avoid social and emotional consequences for our students, I think in-person instruction is best. It is beneficial for our children to be able to interact with their peers, as well as their teachers, live and in person. Socially, cognitively, and emotionally, our children deserve to be in school, and it is my hope that we are able to continue this way.

What other issues do you feel must be tackled in the school district? Digital Citizenship without a doubt, as it refers to responsible technology usage. Technology continues to evolve and the role it plays in our kids lives will only grow. Children are being overwhelmed by constant access, and it can often breed negativity and dangerous behaviors. It is essential to teach safe and responsible online behavior as well as appropriate screen time. Our curriculum currently includes Digital Citizenship and we need to continue to develop, increase, and integrate this in our classrooms. Safe navigation of digital spaces will set our children up for success as students and eventually as professionals in the workforce.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates? My expertise in education and administration and also as a community outreach coordinator here in Chester sets me apart from other Board candidates. I have been a volunteer in many capacities here, and I will continue that work long into the future. Further, I have studied curriculum and worked in schools throughout my career. I understand that every child learns differently and they all deserve representation. It takes more than business experience to be a successful contributor to a Board of Education, and I am the right person for the job.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign?
Running for a seat on the Board of Education is a natural progression for me, as a continuation of my volunteerism within the community, and as a follow up to my career in education. When I am elected, I will focus on enhancing parent engagement opportunities because parents should have ample opportunities to engage in their child's educational experience, and they should be encouraged to take advantage of that often. School Boards should be comprised of members with a mix of experience and knowledge, who are motivated to consider the needs of EVERY child, as well as to represent the best interest of ALL. I am best suited for this role because I have the experience in education and administration, and I have proven that I am dedicated to making positive contributions to our community and our schools. I am ballot position 7, and I ask you to vote for me on November 2nd!

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.