Board of Education – Abby Tolan
Every child should thrive in our schools.
As a former educator, a parent of twin boys who just graduated from Staples, an advocate for all of our kids, and a member of the Board of Education, I never stop learning.
I’ve actively followed best practices in reading instruction. That led to successful advocacy on the Board for a state-of-the-art reading curriculum. The results speak for themselves: 96% of all our third graders read at or above grade level and Westport was recognized as a model district at the National Dyslexia Conference.
Being on the Board means making tough decisions. We may not always agree, but I will always listen, learn, and strive to bring people together around the best solutions for our students and teachers.
I am proud of what the Board has accomplished in the two years that I have served:
- Record-setting third grade reading scores, bolstered by years of advocacy from the special education PTA for state-of-the-art interventions;
- Increased math achievement, higher than pre-COVID levels;
- Unanimously-approved budgets;
- An approved new Long Lots and Stepping Stones Preschool; and
- A codified student code of conduct.
There’s always more to do. Our schools must continually self-assess to address our facility needs, bullying prevention, and to cultivate and support our professionals. I’ve studied advanced interventions for ADHD. It’s time we introduce fresh approaches for struggling learners, even if they don’t qualify for IEPs.
I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, but we can – and must – always do better.
Abby Tolan
For Every Child