Having watched, collectively, nearly every School Committee meeting over the past several years, we’re yeses for Emily Serafy-Cox and Tiffany Jewell (two at-large seats), Anat Weisenfreund (Ward 2), and Mike Stein (Ward 4) — and we think you should be, too.
Here’s why.
We’ve seen Emily Serafy-Cox bring years of student and educator-centered advocacy to SC. An NPS parent and community organizer, she’s promoted innovative and inclusive learning approaches and the centering of marginalized voices in our schools, pushed for a district that pays fair wages to our teachers and staff, and led on key governance tasks. The way Emily sees it, equity and excellence are inseparable goals for NPS.
Tiffany Jewell, an NPS parent, author, and longtime Northampton educator, has been in our schools for years supporting students and educators in building community and exploring concepts of identity, justice, and activism. Tiffany prioritizes student voices and will work on policies that protect students’ and teachers’ rights to read freely, to teach accurate history, to build critical and liberatory consciousness, and to make awesome change in the world.
The director of Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Head Start and early learning programs, Anat Weisenfreund has consistently aimed to get at the “why” behind prominent decision-making in our district. She’s a skilled dialoguer who asks the hard questions and probes when answers fall short. Anat has shown her capacity to lead with compassion and rigor–and Ward 2 should reelect her so she can continue to bring it.
Amherst College’s director of foundation relations Mike Stein has pushed for needed change in our district like no other, showing himself to be someone committed to moving resources to children now. As Budget & Property Subcommittee chair, Mike is intimately familiar with the financial realities facing our schools. He offers vision and pragmatism, and Ward 4 should make sure he’s able to keep serving NPS.
Note: We’re equally excited about the unopposed candidates Alena Bartoli (Ward 1), Renika Montgomery-Tamakloe (Ward 3), Amy Martyn (Ward 5), Cynthia Mahoney (Ward 6), and Valerie Reiss (Ward 7), all running on inclusive, pro-change, student-centered platforms.
Let’s go!
REAL (Racial Equity & Learning) Northampton coordinators Kristen Elde, Leigh-Ellen Figueroa, Soledad Thorman, and Lesley Yalen
Florence