Tolland Election 2021 Profile: Jennifer Gallichant

TOLLAND, CT — Democrat Jennifer Gallichant, 41, is running for Tolland Board of Education in Tolland.

Occupation:

Family: I currently have two children, a high schooler and a middle schooler, in Tolland schools.

Experience: President of Tolland Elementary Parent Teacher Organization

Family in government: No

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

I think people want to be heard right now. I think the community wants to know that the people serving them in office are focusing on their town and their children. I hope I can ensure people, especially parents, that I’m listening. I believe most people have at their core the same concerns and hopes for their children and their community. I want people to know that my heart is in the right place to do the best job possible if I’m elected to Board of Education My hope is to bring people together to ensure our main focus as Board of Education members is about what’s truly best for the students, and parents and staff of Tolland schools.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

I have spent a great deal of time over the last nine years as a member of the Tolland Elementary Parent Teacher Organization within the Tolland elementary schools working with students and staff. During my time on the board, I served as Volunteer Coordinator, Vice President, and as President for the final four years. I genuinely loved working inside the schools, helping teachers and staff, and and being hands-on with students and parents in classrooms and at events. I truly care about the people that work with our children every day and the hard work they consistently do for our students and parents.

Accomplishments:

As a first-time Mom of a Kindergartener, a two-year old, and a full-time working Mom, I walked into my first PTO meeting with my knees shaking. I knew I wanted to help out in some capacity, but I was understandably nervous not knowing anyone and not knowing what to expect. I dove in however, and I worked for nine years to ensure that students, staff, and parents were supported in every way possible. I came out of it with relationships and experiences I treasure. I am again facing a new unknown and exciting challenge and my goal is to again rise to the occasion and embrace the work I can do to help our community and students.

Eight years ago, I went back to Quinnipiac University to finish my Bachelor’s Degree. It was incredibly challenging to go back to college with two young children, but it was incredibly fulfilling to do so. I made Dean’s List every semester, received straight A’s, and and graduated with my family cheering me on. I am not afraid of hard work and putting my all into any responsibility or challenge I take on and I am so lucky to have the support of my family while doing so.

Other issues:

One of our slate’s Board of Education goals is to support the Tolland student as a whole person and to work to provide the best overall academic and social-emotional experience possible. Social-emotional health affects the way we think, feel, act, learn and communicate. It affects how we handle stress, adapt to changes, make choices, and conduct our relationships. Our students are little people and each child has needs, both physically and mentally. Our little people have been through so much these last couple of years, so many changes, and as we continue to work to keep them physically safe, I want to ensure we are doing everything we can to support their feelings as well. Together with high academic standards and high standards for social-emotional wellness, and the Tolland student will be well-rounded and prepared for college and/or career.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

One of my proudest moments while serving as President of the Tolland Elementary Parent Teacher Organization was our donation of $30,000 towards Chromebooks last year in support of 1:1 technology. We truly felt as a board that every student in the Tolland Public Schools should have direct access to technology and all the advantages that opportunity brings. The pandemic highlighted certain shortcomings, access to computers and technology readiness was one very large one. We saw our students, and families and staff members struggling with the initial onset of remote learning and knew this initiative would provide immediate equity and crisis management as well as lasting benefits. Our contribution did in fact help make 1:1 technology a reality in our schools and our students can now advance their learning potential in a multitude of new and positive ways.