Madison Candidate Profile: Cathy Miller, Board of Education

MADISON, CT — Madison’s election season is heating up.

Madison Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Cathy Miller, 54, is a Democrat running for election to the Board of Education.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you'd be representing.

No

Education:

BA Elementary Education from Wilkes University
MA Elementary Education from SCSU
Sixth Year MA Reading/Language from Arts SCSU
Reading Recovery certification from UCONN

Occupation:

Pre K-4 Literacy Coach/Reading Consultant for the Branford Public Schools (John B. Sliney Elementary School)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

None

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our district is infrastructure and I intend to bring an educator's lens to the decision making table.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am a 32 year educator currently working in a school district.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Being an educator in the field every day, I know what works and what doesn't work when it comes to school systems. I bring an informed voice for all stakeholders--children, parents, teachers, administrators-when working on the school board.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have been a classroom teacher, a staff developer, a curriculum author, a Reading Recovery teacher, an RtI coordinator, a reading consultant, and a literacy coach for the past 32 years. I interface with students, parents, teachers, administrators, and boards of education on a daily basis. I have a deep understanding of curriculum, instruction, and assessment as well as social-emotional learning. This deep knowledge affords me the opportunity to weigh in on issues facing our school district with an informed voice.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Listen more than you speak.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My husband, Joe, and I moved to Madison for the schools. We are parents of a special ed and regular ed children. Our 3 daughters have enjoyed an amazing education! I have spent my entire career being an advocate for children. I'm ready to give back our wonderful community and help make it even better! I look forward to making sound decisions for all of Madison's children.

Are you running for office in Madison? Contact Ellyn Santiago at ellyn.santiago@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Madison Patch.