Julienne Foy (D)
Stamford Board of Education
Democrat
Executive Director @ Odyssey Family Executive Center of South Norwalk | LMSW, M.Ed
No website listed
As a candidate for the Stamford Board of Education, I bring a diverse set of strengths. With experience as a teacher, education administrator, and social worker, I understand the classroom, policy, and student development from multiple perspectives. As the executive director of a nonprofit, I have honed my skills in strategic planning, budgeting, and program development, which will help address financial challenges and improve resource allocation.
My work as a community activist ensures I will advocate for diverse needs, ensuring that all voices—students, families, and educators—are heard. Additionally, my focus on early childhood education and family engagement equips me to champion initiatives that support the holistic development of our youngest learners.
I’m also passionate about student mental health, particularly for young children, and can contribute to policies that create safer, more supportive school environments. As a parent of a Stamford Public Schools graduate, I have firsthand experience with the district, allowing me to relate directly to parents’ and students’ concerns.
With these strengths, I am committed to helping Stamford’s schools thrive.
My work as a community activist ensures I will advocate for diverse needs, ensuring that all voices—students, families, and educators—are heard. Additionally, my focus on early childhood education and family engagement equips me to champion initiatives that support the holistic development of our youngest learners.
I’m also passionate about student mental health, particularly for young children, and can contribute to policies that create safer, more supportive school environments. As a parent of a Stamford Public Schools graduate, I have firsthand experience with the district, allowing me to relate directly to parents’ and students’ concerns.
With these strengths, I am committed to helping Stamford’s schools thrive.
My top policy priorities as a candidate for the Stamford Board of Education focus on expanding early childhood education, strengthening family engagement, supporting student mental health, and ensuring equitable resource allocation—all while ensuring that every family feels included and welcomed.
1. Expanding Early Childhood Education: I will advocate for increased funding to provide high-quality preschool programs for all children, the foundation for student success. By partnering with local organizations, we can offer comprehensive resources that support young learners and their families.
2. Strengthening Family Engagement: I believe that all families should feel included and welcomed in their child’s education. I will work to create policies that foster open communication, provide workshops, and offer leadership opportunities for parents. Schools should be welcoming spaces where families feel valued and heard.
3. Supporting Student Mental Health: I will advocate for expanded mental health services in schools, ensuring that every student, including our youngest learners, has the support and access they need. By bringing in more counselors and developing our teachers in trauma-informed practices, we can create environments where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.
4. Equitable Resource Allocation: I will push for fair, data-driven distribution of resources to ensure all schools have what they need to succeed. This includes ensuring that every student and family, regardless of their background or neighborhood, has access to the same opportunities.
1. Expanding Early Childhood Education: I will advocate for increased funding to provide high-quality preschool programs for all children, the foundation for student success. By partnering with local organizations, we can offer comprehensive resources that support young learners and their families.
2. Strengthening Family Engagement: I believe that all families should feel included and welcomed in their child’s education. I will work to create policies that foster open communication, provide workshops, and offer leadership opportunities for parents. Schools should be welcoming spaces where families feel valued and heard.
3. Supporting Student Mental Health: I will advocate for expanded mental health services in schools, ensuring that every student, including our youngest learners, has the support and access they need. By bringing in more counselors and developing our teachers in trauma-informed practices, we can create environments where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.
4. Equitable Resource Allocation: I will push for fair, data-driven distribution of resources to ensure all schools have what they need to succeed. This includes ensuring that every student and family, regardless of their background or neighborhood, has access to the same opportunities.
A strategic focus on key areas is essential to prioritize the school budget:
1. Utilize Grants and Alternative Funding: Actively pursue state and federal grants, as well as private foundation funding, to supplement the budget. Targeted fundraising efforts can help fill gaps in specific areas such as special education, technology, or extracurricular activities.
2. Evaluate Program Effectiveness: Implement data-driven evaluations to ensure funds are allocated to the most impactful programs and make informed cuts if necessary.
4. Invest in Teacher Professional Development: Prioritizing professional development ensures teachers have the tools to address diverse learning needs, particularly after the disruptions caused by the pandemic. This helps maintain instructional quality and teacher retention and fosters innovation in the classroom.
5. Streamline Administrative Costs: Conduct a thorough review of administrative expenditures to identify potential savings without compromising student services. Streamlining administrative processes can free up funds for direct classroom support and student-focused programs.
6. Maximize Technology Investments: Leverage the technology infrastructure developed during the pandemic by prioritizing investments that enhance digital learning, particularly in under-resourced schools. This includes maintaining devices, improving internet access, and investing in tech-based learning tools that benefit students across the district.
1. Utilize Grants and Alternative Funding: Actively pursue state and federal grants, as well as private foundation funding, to supplement the budget. Targeted fundraising efforts can help fill gaps in specific areas such as special education, technology, or extracurricular activities.
2. Evaluate Program Effectiveness: Implement data-driven evaluations to ensure funds are allocated to the most impactful programs and make informed cuts if necessary.
4. Invest in Teacher Professional Development: Prioritizing professional development ensures teachers have the tools to address diverse learning needs, particularly after the disruptions caused by the pandemic. This helps maintain instructional quality and teacher retention and fosters innovation in the classroom.
5. Streamline Administrative Costs: Conduct a thorough review of administrative expenditures to identify potential savings without compromising student services. Streamlining administrative processes can free up funds for direct classroom support and student-focused programs.
6. Maximize Technology Investments: Leverage the technology infrastructure developed during the pandemic by prioritizing investments that enhance digital learning, particularly in under-resourced schools. This includes maintaining devices, improving internet access, and investing in tech-based learning tools that benefit students across the district.
To meet the growing needs of special education and English Language Learner (ELL) students in Stamford Public Schools, several strategies can be implemented:
1. Increase Specialized Staff: Hiring more special education teachers, ELL instructors, and paraprofessionals ensures students receive individualized support tailored to their needs.
2. Provide Professional Development: Ongoing training for teachers in inclusive practices, special education, and ELL strategies equips them to better support diverse learners in the classroom.
3. Expand Co-teaching and Paraprofessional Support: Co-teaching, where general education and special education or ELL teachers collaborate, allows for targeted instruction within an inclusive environment. Additional paraprofessional support offers personalized assistance for students needing extra help.
4. Leverage Technology and Assistive Tools: Investing in translation apps, assistive devices, and dual language learning tools enhances learning for ELL and special education students, promoting both independence and academic growth.
5. Increase Family Engagement and Education: Providing workshops, translated materials, and guidance on special education and ELL programs ensures parents are informed and empowered to advocate for their children. Engaging parents in their child’s education empowers them to advocate effectively and strengthens family-school partnerships.
6. Promote Bilingual Education: Expanding bilingual education is vital for dual-language learners and strengthens our school's culture and community. It enhances cognitive development, strengthens cultural identity, and improves language acquisition, setting students up for long-term success.
By focusing on these strategies, Stamford Public Schools can create an inclusive, supportive learning environment where all students can thrive.
1. Increase Specialized Staff: Hiring more special education teachers, ELL instructors, and paraprofessionals ensures students receive individualized support tailored to their needs.
2. Provide Professional Development: Ongoing training for teachers in inclusive practices, special education, and ELL strategies equips them to better support diverse learners in the classroom.
3. Expand Co-teaching and Paraprofessional Support: Co-teaching, where general education and special education or ELL teachers collaborate, allows for targeted instruction within an inclusive environment. Additional paraprofessional support offers personalized assistance for students needing extra help.
4. Leverage Technology and Assistive Tools: Investing in translation apps, assistive devices, and dual language learning tools enhances learning for ELL and special education students, promoting both independence and academic growth.
5. Increase Family Engagement and Education: Providing workshops, translated materials, and guidance on special education and ELL programs ensures parents are informed and empowered to advocate for their children. Engaging parents in their child’s education empowers them to advocate effectively and strengthens family-school partnerships.
6. Promote Bilingual Education: Expanding bilingual education is vital for dual-language learners and strengthens our school's culture and community. It enhances cognitive development, strengthens cultural identity, and improves language acquisition, setting students up for long-term success.
By focusing on these strategies, Stamford Public Schools can create an inclusive, supportive learning environment where all students can thrive.