Candidate Profile: Katie Gauthier, Stonington Board Of Education

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

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

Katie Gauthier is a Republican running for a seat on the Stonington Board of Education

How old will you be as of Election Day?

41

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://www.facebook.com/katie...

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

Stonington

Education.

Masters degree in Education, Bachelors degree in Business Administration

What is your occupation?

Current small business owner, former 1st and 3rd grade teacher

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

Husband, Ryan and Son, Christian (age 9)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

No

Why are you seeking this office?

I was raised in Mystic and attended Stonington Schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. I have a long-term connection to Stonington. After college at Northeastern University, I returned to the area to pursue a master's degree in education, during which time I worked at an elementary school, ultimately teaching 1st and 3rd grade. During that time, my husband and I settled in Stonington with our son, Christian, citing the school system as a major factor in our decision as to where to plant our roots. With my son’s first years of elementary school so impacted by COVID-19, and having to observe from a distance, I jump at the opportunity to be a part of his school community. Being a parent volunteer sparked my interest in being a greater part of the district. I am a decades-long resident of Stonington, former elementary educator, small business owner, and a mom. My commitment and passion for Stonington and families & children is clear. I will support the education community in the same way that Stonington did for me when I was growing up.

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 the cost of education and the annual budget. To provide the children of Stonington with the highest quality education and growth toward adulthood puts a financial burden on our town. I know that an investment into our children’s future is one of the most critical that our community can make. But, as a business owner, I also know that achieving this goal in the most cost-effective way possible is the gold standard. I will be sure that any budget put forth by the Board of Education will be an ideal balance of keeping costs as low as possible without forsaking the quality of education that our next generation deserves.

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

I am a former elementary educator and a mom of a current Stonington student. I intend to be an advocate for both parents & families, and teachers & staff, as I thoroughly understand those roles and how critical a partnership they are. I believe all Boards of Education should have some parent representation.

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

I don't believe any current Board of Education members have failed the community in any way. They all have our children's best interests in mind when making their decisions.

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

I am committed to the collaboration between schools, families and community, as we are all partners in education. I will continue to have meaningful conversations with community members to hear both their praises and their concerns of the school system. I intend to focus on ways to foster a positive school environment, which includes teacher retention and teacher recruitment.

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

While my masters degree in education is my biggest academic accomplishment, I utilized those skills to obtain a teaching position locally. I piloted a new reading program and shared those findings with colleagues. I shared and collaborated extensively. But, almost as important, I am a mom. My son's educational journey in Stonington has just begun. I balance running a few busy small businesses, with being a parent and I give my full effort to every task I face. I see joining the Board of Education as no different.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Listen more than you speak.

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

I am an open book, a hard worker, honest, and approachable. I hope to meet more community members along this journey.