WORCESTER – As the Worcester municipal election is on deck, the Worcester Guardian reached out to candidates in contested races. Asking each a set of questions, the Guardian publishes these responses through voting day (Nov. 7).
Kathleen Roy is running for Worcester District E school committee.
As a first time candidate for a district school committee member (District E), Roy said she “proud to run on a record that is inclusive for representing all students, families, and residents of the city of Worcester.” Roy owns a home in Worcester, where she raised a family in which her three children and graduated from public schools. Because of being extremely active in parental and neighborhood committees for the children, she has “carried my passion that would give hope and promise to our younger generation.”
The following are Roy’s responses to the Guardian’s questionnaire:
What inspired you to run and what makes you the right person for the job?
My main passion in running for school committee is to have a positive impact on children’s lives…in particular, to those who have personal and family challenges while trying to excel in academics.
What are, or should be, the top priorities at this time for the school committee?
I believe we need to look at school safety as the priority. Safety comes in many shapes and forms such as preventing and stopping bullying, providing mental health resources to students and physical safety. I am in support of the school safety liaisons returning to our high schools on a full-time basis and for SSLs to visit our elementary and middle schools during the school day.
We should have budgeting and transparency and proper oversight to ensure monies are being spent primarily on our students and teachers to ensure academic success.
I do not believe that cell phones should be used in the classrooms, as it can be a distraction and a hindrance rather than an asset and could very well interfere with classroom instruction.
Most importantly, a top priority is to ensure our students are graduating ready to take on the world, to have a solid educational background that will aid them in college, trades or enter the workforce. I believe in a commonsense approach to education beginning with reading, writing and arithmetic.
Where do you think the school committee has been failing or coming up short?
Improve programs ensuring life skills. We need to work on facilities and to address the needs of our older schools. Never again should the teachers have to wait for their raises an entire school year before receiving them.
Who was your favorite teacher, and what made this person so inspiring to you?
This is an easy one to answer! My all-time favorite teacher was/is Mrs. Carol Fredette. Mrs. Fredette was my English teacher in high school. She inspired me to read, read and read some more. How to write and be creative in my writing. Mrs. Fredette was very inspiring as she took the time to listen to each student in my class and always made the time to stay after school if we had questions about an assignment. The most important thing she taught me was to believe in myself and always keep pushing forward no matter what obstacles may get in my way.
What’s the best piece of advice a relative ever gave you?
My mom was my biggest supporter and cheerleader! Her advice was always to stand up for people, do acts of kindness when no one is looking and most of all she told me to always stand up for what I believe in.
What are you currently reading?
“1776” by David McCullough, although I haven’t gotten very far yet, as life has been very busy. I am an avid American history buff and thoroughly love reading about how our nation came to be.
What would you tell the 15 year old you?
Not to question yourself, be confident in who you are, and no matter what, see your convictions through.
Contact Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
