Wyckoff Board Of Education Candidate Profile: Lisa-Ann Michaels

WYCKOFF, NJ — Candidates are set for the K-8 Wyckoff School District Board of Education race on the Nov. 8 ballot.

In anticipation, Patch sent questionnaires to each of the six candidates vying for the three open seats on the Board of Education, asking them to share facts about themselves and why voters should choose them to represent the township's school district.

Lisa-Ann Michaels is bracketed together with two other newcomers Rachel Schulties and Joseph Kiely, running under the slogan "Serving Our Students." The trio is facing another bracketed group comprised of one incumbent and two newcomers.

Here are Michaels' responses:

Name:

Lisa-Ann Beninati Michaels

Age:

44

Town of residence:

Wyckoff

Position sought:

seat on Wyckoff K-8 Board of Education

Party affiliation:

Unaffiliated

Family:

Married 22 years, two children, ages 14 and 8

Education:

Ramapo High School --BA in Biology from New York University, College of Arts & Sciences --MD from UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School --3 years of pediatrics residency and then 1 year as Chief Resident at UMDNJ-NJMS --Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics

Occupation:

Pediatrician: Founder and owner of Milestones Pediatrics (since 2009) --Clinical Assistant Professor, Dept of Pediatrics, Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School

Why are you running for this office?

I was 6 years old when my family moved to Wyckoff, and I chose to move back to Wyckoff with my husband when we decided to start our own family. Outside of the 12 years during my college and graduate education, I have lived here my entire life, and I really do love this town. Starting a business and raising two children is busy work, but recently I have found that as my children are getting older and I have more work-life balance, I have more time to give back to my community. I feel that my experience as a pediatrician, a business owner, and a mother will suit me well to serve on the Board.

What do you feel is the most important issue facing constituents, and what do you intend to do to repair or resolve it?

The most important issues facing constituents definitely changes over time. As a board member, my role will be to act as a representative of the community, listen to citizens' concerns, and help make decisions with the best interest of the education of our students in mind. As a board member, I plan to follow the NJ School Board Member Code of Ethics, including overseeing the schools' compliance with state mandates and communicating well with the superintendent and members of the community.

What differentiates you from other candidates?

Over the past 20 years, I have had the unique perspective of speaking with kids and parents about various problems at their schools that have been affected by, and also affect, their mental and physical health. I have been involved in listening to and trying to help my patients deal with issues like getting help with learning difficulties in school; dealing with bullying; handling mental health crises; and returning to school after a prolonged absence, to name a few. I have a rare understanding of how the time our children spend in school (sometimes more than 50% of their day!) can help shape them into happy, prepared young adults after having the privilege of getting to know thousands of kids in our community over the years.

What other issues or ideas do you feel deserve attention?

I plan to make sure that the mental health of our students is always a priority in our schools, as I have unfortunately witnessed the current epidemic of mental health problems in our youth. This was a rising problem before the pandemic, but since then, the problem has accelerated even more. Children spend a large portion of their days in school, and their academic and social success depends in large part to their emotional health. I am also interested in learning more about the current physical safety of each of our schools, and if there is anything that can or should be done to improve that.

I am aware of the responsibility the Board has in making decisions involving the spending of our tax dollars, and I would like to help to find economical ways to fulfill our mission to ensure Wyckoff children are educated to high standards.

What accomplishments in your past demonstrates that you are the best candidate for this job?

My training as a medical doctor as well as a board-certified pediatrician has given me a wealth of knowledge regarding the physical and emotional development of children of all ages. Over the years, I feel I have also learned to be a good listener to both children and their parents, and I have often collaborated, when necessary, with their teachers and other educational resources. My training did not end with graduation as my career requires continual, lifelong learning. I have also voluntarily participated in multiple optional trainings, including programs by the NJ Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (NJAAP) Mental Health Collaborative, as well as attending the NJAAP School Health Conference. I have also volunteered my time when I can, including teaching Sunday school at my church; running donation drives for Center for Food Action; and mentoring students at New York University as well as resident members of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Do you want to tell voters anything else about you or your positions?

I am proud of the education I received from the Wyckoff school district, but I am even more impressed with the education my children have received so far in Wyckoff. I would like to support our educators so they can continue to produce well-rounded, informed students who are valuable members of our community and carry on the excellent reputation of our schools. My goal is to help support our schools to continue to receive desirable, high ratings while remaining within a responsible budget.