A desire to expand the opportunities for Henry Hudson Regional students is the primary reason why Chelsea Witkowski is seeking her first term in office on the new Henry Hudson Regional School Board of Education.
The married mother of two children believes her past experience, understanding of the inner workings of schools, and background in education combined with being a parent of school-aged children gives her insight that makes capable and eager to do the job.
Witkowski is vying with two other Atlantic Highlands candidates for the single one-year term on the board which will be decided in the November election. Also seeking that one-year term for an Atlantic Highlands resident are Richard Colangelo and Allison Jacobs.
It was the school system that first attracted the Witkowski’s to move to Atlantic Highlands. They rented an apartment in the borough to enable their daughter to attend the local kindergarten while searching for a home to purchase.
Chelsea became active in the PTO and spent time at the Elementary School and loved the fact faculty members love their work and the school, resulting in a large number of experienced teachers “who continue to teach because they love it.”
She would like to be a part of promoting a positive educational environment for both teachers and students.
The candidate also believes Sea Bright would be a benefit in the newly formed PreK-12 regional school district for both students and taxpayers but concedes she has limited access to any reasoning why it should not be included especially after the LEAP grant feasibility study which was done.
It’s because of her lack of information on this subject which has been a leading issue in both this borough and Highlands since last year, Witkowski said she is also a strong advocate of more transparency from the board and is making that a pivotal point of her platform.
The current school system has many benefits, she pointed out, primarily the dedicated teachers, some of whom have been teaching in the district for their entire careers. The small-town community is beneficial to the school, not only for the number of community events and fundraisers that are held by various organizations, but also the support of businesses, families and organizations give the school a strong sense of community.
Students also benefit from small class sizes and a lower student to teacher ratio which give high school students more opportunities for scholarships, leadership positions in clubs, and more visibility in sports.
Even with all its attributes, there are also problems, the candidate said. She believes the major problems focus on a reduction in special services, students’ access to enrichment programs and low enrollment at the high school level.
A top priority for her would be meeting the diverse learning needs of all students; as a board member, she would accomplish that by providing access to services, interventions, and programs that expose students to a challenging curriculum.
Furthermore, teachers should be encouraged to communicate their ideas, needs, and experiences in the classroom to the board, Witkowski said, so the board could then provide resources and support.
Witkowski, who is seeking office for the first time, is currently co-corresponding secretary at the elementary school and a volunteer on the school’s library committee.
She holds a master’s degree in special education from Arizona State University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rutgers University.
She began her professional career as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional in Middlesex County shortly after graduating from Rutgers, moved to Arizona with her husband and worked as a paraprofessional while working toward her special education teaching degree.
She then taught second and third grades in Arizona and worked as a behavior therapist in both school and home environments. before moving back to the east coast. Before choosing to be a stay-at-home mom, she was also employed in a therapeutic alternative education program for children with special needs.
Although they did not file a ticket with a single slogan for the Henry Hudson election, Witkowski noted she and Bonnie Knechtel, who is seeking one of the two-year terms for an Atlantic Highlands candidate, have similar ideals and aims and are supporting each other’s candidacy for their respective terms.
The two candidates are planning a Meet and Greet at the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society flea market Sept. 14 from 10 am to 4 p.m. at Atlantic Highlands Harbor. They will have a table at the market, will answer questions, hand out flyers, and have a suggestion box for residents to cite the three things they like and three things they would change about Henry Hudson schools. “We think this will be a good way to hear from community members and get a better idea of common likes and concerns,” Witkowski said, in noting that responses that day can be anonymous.
Witkowski and Knechtel also established a page on Facebook page which can be accessed HERE
