Politics & Government

Candidate Q&A: Helen Treacy

Republican running for Board of Education.

Name:

Helen Treacy

Party, Position Seeking:

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Republican Party Board of Education candidate

Background:

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After graduating from Villanova University with degrees in English and Communications, I taught English conversation to middle school, high school and junior college students while fulfilling a missionary assignment in Japan.  I earned my K-8 multi-CLAD teaching certificate from the United States University in San Diego, CA, and taught elementary education in southern California.  For the last eight and a half years, I have been fortunate to call Canton home.

Family information:

I grew up in New Jersey (exit 135 off the Garden State) in a family of 10 children. At an early age, we were taught the value of education and each of us earned our bachelor’s degree. This was a great source of pride for my mother. My husband Greg and I have four children in three different schools within the Canton Public school system.

Occupation:

Since the birth of my first child, I have been fortunate to be able to remain home with my children. Currently, I am enrolled in the master’s program at CCSU for Educational Leadership.

In addition, I am the first-ever CHS girls volleyball coach. Go Lady Warriors!

Political Experience:

This is my first time running for political office.

Other Relevant Experience, Community Service:

  • Girl Scout leader for 9 years in Canton
  • Parent Representative for Cherry Brook Primary School Quality Council Board
  • Current Religious Education teacher
  • Canton Helping Canton volunteer
  • Current Canton Intermediate and Middle schools PTO member and volunteer in and out of the classroom in all schools
  • CIS Room Parent for 2011-2012 school year
  • Cherry Brook Health Center volunteer
  • Current coach of Canton High School Girls Volleyball team

Why are you running for office?

Our community faces many challenges as we work to improve our educational system and facilities. I would like to be directly involved in helping set a positive course for our town.

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community?

There needs to be a strong alliance among students, teachers, parents and the administration and I have the background to understand and relate to each stakeholder when faced with important decisions concerning our children here in Canton. A successful Board of Education requires breadth and depth of the relevant issues facing the community. As a student, parent and teacher, I feel that I have the experience and knowledge to continue Canton’s success!

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus?

My primary focus would be to strengthen the alignment among students, parents, teachers and the administration and our community.

Name something the school system has done well over the past four years.

Inclusion and a strong sense of community are critical elements fundamental to providing a learning environment conducive to successful education and development.  The Canton Intermediate School community has done a wonderful job over the last few years fostering an esprit de corps and was recently rewarded by the state with the CT School Climate Award.  This is a wonderful example of strong alignment and cooperation among all the various stakeholders to foster an atmosphere of learning and sharing.

What is something the town could have done better during the past four years?

As our town continues to grow, we need to make important investments in infrastructure and educational resources.

(Optional) Anything else you would like to share?

I encourage all our residents to take the opportunity to vote on Nov. 8 and voice your opinions on the issues affecting our children and our community.


 


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