Patch Candidate Profile: Mary Ellen Flaherty-Ludwig, Norwalk Board Of Education

NORWALK, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Norwalk and there are plenty of local races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Norwalk Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Democrat Mary Ellen Flaherty-Ludwig, 77, is a Norwalk resident running for the Board of Education in District E.

Education

BS in Marine Biology, Master of Education in Inner City Teaching at Syracuse U.

What is your occupation?

Retired science teacher. More than four decades of public school teaching: middle school, high school and university level. Teaching Science and Math. Several years as a consultant in Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Three adult children: Jen, an architect, Erin, a Math High School teacher, Clayton, a Botany grad student. Also, two grandchildren: Matilda, 4 years old, and Eden, 3 months old.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

I am currently a BOE member for District E in Norwalk.

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I retired from teaching after 4 decades of classroom work, but I will never retire from actively working for our Next Generation.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is preparing Norwalk’s Next Generation to succeed in life. Public schools have always carried the mantle of ensuring that each and every student has the highest quality of academic instruction, and training to be an aware and contributing citizen locally, nationally and globally. In Norwalk Public Schools there is much work in equity and inclusion that I support enthusiastically. We in Norwalk take pride in our student population that speaks 61 languages. We celebrate and encourage each student by providing opportunities to explore interests from advanced digital studies to marine biology to dual language studies from elementary through high school.

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

My major difference from other candidates is in my deep knowledge of world-class curriculum standards. What I have in common with other candidates seeking BOE positions is a desire to work as a team player to make decisions to maximize benefits to our student population.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

I am the incumbent.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Communication between parents and the board and between student and the board. I am a strong advocate of exchanging thoughts and experiences in order to develop a responsive complex system such as the Norwalk Public Schools.

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

I am proud of my work on the policy committee collaborating with students and parents and teachers to develop welcoming policies to all our students.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Keep moving.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am in my heart a teacher. I wish all students to feel comfortable and to be inspired by learning.