My name is Matt Curtin and I am seeking to join the School Board because I want to serve our community and I can’t think of anything more important than the education of our children. My wife Sarah and I both attended excellent public schools and we are dedicated to making sure Rye children get the very best education possible.
Sarah and I have two young sons, Ethan (9) and Ryan (3), so I have a major stake in the quality and performance of our schools. Since moving to Rye in 2013, I have volunteered with several community organizations including Cub Scouts, Rye Recreation, Rye Civic League and most recently as a member of Rye Elementary School’s Principal Advisory Council. These interests and experiences have prepared me well to serve the people of Rye.
I believe the next few years will be very important to the longterm success of Rye schools and the educational opportunities available to our children. As a member of the School Board, I will listen carefully, research and understand the issues and help make quality decisions that benefit our schools and the broader community.
I hope this note has given you some insights into who I am and why I want to serve our community.
Many Thanks and Kindest Regards,
Eric More:
As both a parent and a local educator, it is with great enthusiasm that I am running to become a member of your school board. I have a Bachelor’s degree as well as a Master’s in Education degree and a lifetime of experience in public education. I have over 5 years’ experience as Director of S.T.E.A.M/Youth Arts and over 19 years teaching experience in these areas at the high school level. I also have experience working at the collegiate level working at Montserrat College of Art in the Education department. I constantly have the opportunity to experience new trends and adapt my lessons to meet the needs and interests of the ever-changing twenty-first century. I feel that I would be a strong addition to your educational community as well as your school board.
My efforts as a board member would center on serving all of the children in the community. I believe that a school board must be compassionate and receptive to parents, staff, students and the community at large, encouraging an open dialog. By working together we can all share in the knowledge and satisfaction that we have provided for the educational needs of all children, and have built a district where students, parents, teachers, and staff feel they are welcome and that they belong.
I am passionate about education and am amazed by the power of hands-on experiences to intrigue and capture the attention of all audiences. It is a joy and an honor to facilitate educational experiences that inspire and enable learners to see not only the importance of art but also the importance of their voice and creativity in all aspects of their lives. I believe in integrating the arts with STEM to foster creativity, imagination, and problem solving both rationally and artistically.
In working at St. Ann’s Home, Sanborn Regional and Portsmouth High School, I have had the great experience of teaching students in grades K-12 in a competency based, heterogeneous classroom. I have also been an integral part of writing and implementing course competencies, performance indicators, and rubrics for assessments in a purely competency based grading system. I have demonstrated the ability to teach within, and contribute positively to, a diverse, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural student population. It is through these experiences that I have had the chance to create learning opportunities that foster student centered projects that encourage experimentation and help students generate work in a range of styles and media.
I would very much appreciate the opportunity to further discuss the open school board position with you and share my ideas and devotion to education. Please do not hesitate to contact me at (603) 479-1793. I would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. I look forward to speaking with you.
