Candidate Profile: Betty Chu Pryor, Stoneham School Committee

STONEHAM, MA — Betty Chu Pryor is one of two candidates running for a one-year term on the School Committee April 6. There are contested races for Select Board, School Committee and Constable in the 2021 Town Election.

Pryor has been a teacher for 20 years. She lives in Stoneham with her husband and two children.

Pryor faces challenger Rati Chaudhari-Murray for a one-year seat on the School Committee.

Betty Chu Pryor

Age (as of Election Day)

44

Position Sought

School Committee, 1 year term

Family

Kenneth (husband), Mae Chu Pryor (8), Ryan Chu Pryor (5)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

M.Ed. Lesley University; B.S. Boston University

Occupation

Teacher, 20 years

Campaign website

https://www.facebook.com/elect...

Why are you seeking elective office?

As is true for many others I am sure, I became more involved and attended more School Committee meetings as a direct byproduct of COVID-19. I am not only a long-time resident of Stoneham, but the proud parent of two children at the Robin Hood School. With my children in mind, I became more invested and engaged in the outcome of this year’s meetings as the decisions being made directly impacted the quality of my children’s education.
As I watched the meetings, however, I sometimes felt that the discussions were missing the insight and the perspective of an educator outside of the district. I have taught for 20 years in public and private schools. I taught in the Chelsea Public Schools for 7 years and am now in my 13th year at an independent school where I have worn many hats ranging from teacher to associate director of admissions to diversity committee co-chair.
Although I now teach in a private school, I take great pride in being a product of public school education myself, which is why my husband and I chose to keep our children in the Stoneham Public Schools. I have observed various educational models and know what academic excellence can look like no matter what the setting.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

As I listened to the committee engage with concerned parents and residents during each meeting this year and last spring, it dawned on me that my experience as a classroom teacher for 20 years could be invaluable in future meetings. For instance, I know what it felt and feels like to be on the front lines with the added challenges of the pandemic because it has been and IS my lived experience. Whenever the committee or public posed “what ifs” and pondered hypothetical scenarios, I realized that my insight could paint a much clearer picture of what it is like to actually be teaching and learning in these unprecedented times. I believe that our most pressing need right now is planning ahead for the return to in-person learning in the fall. We need to devise realistic measures to ensure that students, teachers, and families have a safe, positive, and seamless transition back to school. For instance, I propose to have some opportunities for students to socialize and to engage with their new classmates before the first day of school. For those who are returning from being fully remote, they should have a chance to also become (re)acquainted with their school building and to be introduced to safety protocol that will be new to them having been at home previously. There should also be Q&A forums for families that are school-specific leading up to the opening of school. While there are academic gaps that need to be filled, those will come in due time. The priority should be on each student's social, emotional, and physical well-being. I have a deep understanding of students' developmental needs having worked in classrooms for so long and am eager to be a part of these conversations.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Besides my experience in the classroom, I have been an active part of the reaccreditation processes for multiple schools and have also participated in several non-profit boards including serving on my school’s board of directors. I understand the need to preserve confidentiality when faced with sensitive conversations. I understand the need to be fiscally responsible and to look critically at the short- and long-term effects of expenditures for an organization and its key constituents. As a former event planner, I am accustomed to being able to see the larger vision, but I can equally attend to the finest of details. I will stand up for what I believe in but understand that my viewpoint may not be where the group will ultimately land. It is this diversity of opinion, however, that enriches a discussion and ensures we are not just choosing the status quo.
I would bring fresh, innovative ideas and solutions to problems. Last summer, I took the initiative to recommend some valuable professional development opportunities regarding distance learning to Superintendent Macero. This resulted in an enlightening conversation with Dr. Hardy in the Central Office about potential training for the faculty in the district prior to the start of the school year. This discussion was a turning point for me as it helped me realize the direct impact that I could have in elevating the quality of teaching and learning in our town. I would be honored to represent and serve the district both as an educator and as a parent.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

If selected, one of my priorities would be to ensure that there is a clear line of communication between the school committee and the town’s residents. My goal would be to make the work of the committee more widely known and to invite more of our town’s residents to take an active part in the committee’s meetings even if they do not have children enrolled in our schools. Since their tax money goes to support the district, I would like for them to know what their dollars are being allocated towards.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I bring another unique perspective to the table, most notably being an advocate for students and families of color. I was delighted to see that a subcommittee was formed within the school board committee to address dismantling racism. As a person of color and with years of diversity, equity, and inclusion work under my belt, I would be pleased to be a partner in this endeavor and to move it forward in our schools at this critical time.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am confident that I offer the perfect blend of experience and leadership capacity to serve on the Stoneham School Committee. I am committed to academic excellence and want to be the voice for both parents and educators. Ultimately, I am eager to work alongside the other school committee members to raise the reputation of Stoneham education so that our schools are better equipped for 21st century learning and are on par with, or exceed, the status of those in our neighboring towns.