JoAnn Portalupi

Candidate for Oyster River School Board

I have been a resident of the Oyster River School district for nine years. I lived in Durham from 1991 to 1996, moved away for three years, and returned to Lee in the summer of 1999. My husband, Ralph Fletcher, and I have three children attending the high school, middle school, and Moharimet Elementary. Our oldest son is a graduate of the ORHS class of 2000.

In 1979 I began a career in education as a fourth grade teacher in Epsom, NH. Since then I have worked in schools and with teachers at the elementary, middle school and college levels. Much of this work has been in NH schools. During this time I have devoted myself to improving the quality of education by teaching children, mentoring beginning teachers, and designing and delivering system-wide staff development to improve teaching practices in reading and writing instruction. I have been on the receiving end of policy decisions, and know very well how they influence the teaching and learning that goes on within classrooms. I believe it’s important that people making policy decisions bring such an understanding to the task. My experience makes me a strong candidate for the job. If elected, I will work to provide excellent schools for our community as characterized by:

• a strong curriculum that sets high expectations for all students
• high student achievement
• children and young adults who are excited and engaged learners developing to their full potentials
• quality teaching faculty and administration
• parents serving as partners in their child’s education

What are my key issues?

• Work to complete the high school our community has voted to build.
• Recruit, hire, and support the ongoing development of quality teachers and administrators.
• Continue the development of a strong curriculum that sets high expectations for all students.
• Stay abreast of future space needs in order to address them in a timely and cost effective manner.

As your school board representative-at-large I will welcome input from all voters in the Oyster River School District. Board members need to be skillful at listening openly and holding multiple perspectives in mind as they engage in thoughtful decision-making. I believe school board members also have the responsibility to:

• put the faces of children and young adults at the heart of policy making decisions.
• examine the budget closely to ensure that money is being spent wisely.
• ask tough questions about how state and federal mandates can best serve the needs of our local school district.
• develop a culture of respect among themselves, community members and educators that allows for effective dialogue across different perspectives.

Relevant Experience

• Fourth Grade Teacher in Epsom elementary school in Epsom, NH.
• Staff developer in the Teachers College Writing Project, Columbia University providing classroom-based professional development for teachers K — 8.
• Assistant Professor of Education working with pre-service and practicing teachers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
• Chair of Moharimet Education committee charged with creating forums for teachers and parents to discuss issues in education.
• Frequent school and classroom volunteer.

Current Occupation

Self-employed consultant and writer specializing in literacy education.

Education