Meet The Candidate: Heather Guas For East Brunswick Board of Education

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Candidate Heather Guas is currently the vice president of the East Brunswick Board of Education. An educator for 31 years, Guas said she has an understanding of the broad spectrum of student needs.

She is looking forward to focusing on building a state-of-the-art high school and athletic complex in the school district.

Below is Guas' candidate profile.

(All candidates were given the same questions. Answers are candidates' own.)

Editor's Note: Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses provided by the County clerk's office. All responses received will be published between now and Nov. 8 general election. Local candidates who did not receive the questionnaire from Patch can contact sarah.salvadore@patch.com.

cName: Heather Guas

Age: 53

Town of residence: East Brunswick

Position sought: Board of Education

Family: Three children, ages 17, 16 and 4.

Education: BA, The College of William and Mary; M.Ed. The College of William and Mary, continued graduate education at Rutgers in Educational Administration

Occupation: High School English Teacher - 31 years in public education

Previous or current elected appointed office: East Brunswick Board of Education Vice President

Why are you seeking to run for School Board?

Raised in a family of educators, I have always been fascinated by schools and teaching. Education and the improvement of our educational system are central to my career, interests and what I am most passionate about. As a Special Education teacher for 20 years, and now a High School English teacher for 11, I believe I have an understanding of the broad spectrum of student needs East Brunswick strives to meet. I think East Brunswick is an extraordinary district. As an incumbent board member, I am invested in pushing our curriculum to maintain the high standard we all expect and to meet the needs of students in a technologically changing world. I hope to continue to be a part of this Board as it meets the coming challenges in the next three years, including our changing and growing student population, changing student and family needs, and our aging facilities.

COVID-19 resulted in learning loss for many students. What will you do to ensure students bounce back?

As we navigate our return from the pandemic, as Board of Education leadership, as a parent of three children, and as a teacher, I see the changes in our students. These students are far more independent, problem solvers, self-motivated, and self-directed. Their social anxiety is higher but they push forward on their own. We discuss what they have “lost”, but it is more complex than simple academic skills. Our students are different, and our solutions need to be as well. Students with IEPs may need their individualized plans to include modifications to address learning loss, but East Brunswick has always had outstanding Special Education Programs. We have within the last year, adopted a brand-new comprehensive math program that assists students and parents at school and at home and trained more teachers in Wilson Reading, to assist struggling readers. The district has moved to block scheduling, revised the curriculum, bought new textbooks, re-examined our technology, and designed programs to help students find their careers within the community, all with the strong support of this Board. My priority is to continue to support the administration in its efforts to enhance our academic support.

What is your view on the sex education curriculum that Gov. Murphy put forth earlier this year?

I believe the district has taken a deep look at our own curriculum through the intention of the state mandate. The district found our current health curriculum to be within the state requirements. I believe the Board of Education needs to remain focused on the curriculum representing all of our students and their families by being inclusive and diverse across the curriculum.

What according to you is the biggest issue facing the school district currently? How do you plan to tackle it?

One of the main reasons I hope to be re-elected is the great responsibility of the Board of Education in investigating, planning, and building a state-of-the-art high school and athletic complex. Walking through the halls of the high school, attending our student performances, and spending hours on the athletic fields watching my own two children compete I am struck by an obvious contrast. What our students and staff are achieving and creating is inconsistent with the facility around them. Our students are outstanding, our programs excel, and the services we create, including our security, are used as models around the state. At the high school, this is done in spite of a building that is outdated and not conducive to our goals. As board vice president, I have the honor of being appointed to the committee that has just been formed to bring together the community stakeholders in the planning of the high school. I hope to support this endeavor with my personal and professional experience and expertise, as well as my respect for the community that will embrace this new campus with pride. When the school buildings were closed by the pandemic, it quickly became clear that East Brunswick High School is one of the community’s greatest hubs and meeting places. It often represents who we are as a community. I would hope to facilitate the building of a high school that represents who we are, meets the needs of our diverse community, and finally is a structure that reflects the excellence of our children and their education.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

As an educator for 31 years, I have significant expertise I bring to this experience. As a curriculum writer for many years where I work, and a highly qualified teacher in English, History, and Special Education, I feel I have a greater insight into the challenges students, staff and parents face. With my Masters Degree in Special Education and 11 years with East Brunswick’s Daisy Program, I feel I have a strong investment in meeting the needs of our students with special needs through our programs. As a lifelong learner, I have continued my studies beyond my Masters Degree, and have worked toward a Doctorate in Educational Administration. This coursework has created a strong foundation to build upon for my work on the Board of Education. My three years on the Board have enriched my perspective. I have developed the humility to listen, ask questions, and become almost a student to better understand how this district is run, how we improve and understanding our vision for the future.

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