Letter To The Editor: Why We Need A Teacher On The Board

To the Editor:

Impartial educator input is necessary for school district initiatives to work. A teacher - with direct knowledge of the spaces and culture unique to a district, but independent from administration, has the best qualifications I can think of to serve on a Board of Education.

Ossining is fortunate to have such a candidate. Her name is Christine Mangiamele and she first ran for the Ossining School Board last year. At that time, she was a stay-at-home Mom to her two young children after having worked in the Arlington School District (Poughkeepsie) for many years. I did not know her personally before she announced her candidacy, but I got to know her during her campaign. Then and now, her knowledge, tenacity, willingness to conduct research into complicated issues, ability to learn and understand new concepts, and commitment to challenge and question has thoroughly impressed me. Last year, she was not elected. However, her service to the District and the community did not stop. She was asked to fill in as a teacher in our middle school music department on a part-time nontenured basis. Recognizing a need, she readily agreed. But although she agreed to help when asked, she did not lay her ambitions aside. She has remained steadfast in her desire to serve as a volunteer on the Ossining Board of Education, even though it would mean giving up her job if elected. I admire and support her commitment.

Indeed I have witnessed her commitment to the Ossining Board of Education and community personally over the past year as she has attended and participated in every single public board meeting. I firmly believe that her work in the District since that last election cycle has enhanced her qualifications.

I encourage you to get to know her for yourself, reach out to her with your questions, take a look at her credentials - she has a Master’s Degree in Humanistic and Multicultural Education and served on Senator Reichlin-Melnick’s Education Advisory Committee just to name a few. As mentioned, if elected, she will not be permitted to continue to teach in the District, but a loss for some is a gain for all; and that - is a win for Ossining.

Sincerely,

Katherin Crossling

I make this statement as an individual, not on behalf of the Ossining Board of Education.