Enfield Candidate Profile: Monica Wright, Board of Education

ENFIELD, CT — Enfield's election season is heating up, and there are plenty of contested races with candidates eager to represent their town in November's municipal election. Enfield Patch asked candidates in the town council and Board of Education races to answer questions about their campaigns, and has been publishing candidate profiles each weekday as election day draws near.

Monica Wright is running for election to the Enfield Board of Education as a member of the Voices for Enfield party.

Name: Monica Wright

Age: 53

Position Sought: Board of Education

Party Affiliation: Voices for Enfield

Family: 5 children

Occupation: Executive Director/Program Manager of the Enfield Safe Harbor Warming Center for the Homeless; Intake Specialist at the Friends of the Homeless Shelter in Springfield, MA

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: None

The single most pressing issue facing our town is: there is no clear vision that aligns with the core purpose and mission of the Board of Education to make good decisions and achieve attainable goals that benefit the students, teachers and community as a whole. Keeping separate political party affiliation, power, biases and agendas from what the true purpose of what the Board of Education is in place for and its function. The BOE should be "People Centered" and diversified and should not be run as a political party.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post: I believe that I bring fresh eyes and fresh perspective to the Board of Education. I feel that my work in the community and the relationships that I have built within the community based on trust allows me to be able to be an authorized voice for the people of Enfield and their demand for change, diversity, commitment, transparency and accountability when it comes to our elected leaders and how we handle business.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

1. Work collectively with the other board members as a board to establish a clear vision that aligns with the core purpose and mission of the Board of Education to make good decisions and achieve attainable goals that benefit the students, teachers and community as a whole.
2. Demand more transparency when it comes to making decisions with the understanding that everything we say or do is a reflection of our character and integrity and that we need the trust of the people in order to successfully accomplish our goals.
3. I believe that teachers and administrators are most successful when policies are designed and implemented to support, motivate and inspire those who serve in this most important profession. I also believe that support from parents, the community and strong school leadership will allow our teachers to effectively and efficiently do their job.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job: Being the Director/Program Manager of the Warming Center going on my fifth year, as well as my commitment to building "trusting" relationships with the members of our community as well as our community resources by actively listening with the purpose of working towards solutions that are fair and equitable and in the best interest of our students, teachers and community, makes me a candidate who is more than able to handle the demands and challenges of this position.

The best advice ever shared with me was: My Mom who grew up in the segregated south always told me to "never let anyone tell you that you "can't" because you don't fit their box. It's not about status or education or who or what you know. It is about commitment, dedication, integrity and character." And to "always make sure that "I" keep my motives in check."

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions: My personal beliefs hold me to the standard to always be transparent and forthcoming without compromise when communicating information that will or may affect the decisions and choices made by the BOE when it comes to the education of our children, the support of our teachers, and the community as a whole. I feel that teaching is the profession that determines how all other professions will do. Teachers combine their knowledge, practices, creativity and skills towards student learning and long term preparedness.