NYC Council District 35 Race: Deirdre Levy Seeks Brooklyn Seat

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Voters in New York City's 35th Council District — which extends over Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights — will see seven names on their ballots when they vote in the June 22 primary election.

One of those names will be Deirdre Levy, a special education teacher at a school in Prospect Heights.

Patch reached out to all candidates in the election to create these profiles. Levy's responses are below:

Age (as of Election Day)

33

Position Sought

City Council District 35

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Neighborhood of residence

Prospect Heights

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

University at Albany - SUNY: Bachelors in Public Affairs and Policy, Masters in Higher Education Administration, Pace University - Masters in Childhood Education and Special Education

Occupation

NYC Department of Education Special Education Teacher - 8 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/a

Campaign website

deirdrelevy.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I’m dedicating this campaign to advocating for the most vulnerable student populations and ensuring that a quality education is provided for all students.

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

City Council District 35 - Housing

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

I am the only frontliner in this race - working full time as an in person special education teacher at a DOE school. As a special education teacher in this pandemic, I have consistently shown up for my students in person.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

I think our local officials could have been visibly present in our communities to help small business owners and and those in the art industry. I mobilized to create Project Barkada with my friends, where we worked with local businesses to help provide meals to the frontline staff in hospitals and collected toiletries from our neighbors to deliver to the homeless shelters.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

equity in education, ensuring affordability in New York City and fixing food insecurity.

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

I have taught in the district for 8 years at two different schools, where I have worked with other community members in district 35 as the education chair delegate and secured funding for ADA accessible bathrooms.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

In these times of the pandemic, I’ve just kept pushing through.

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

I love food and love to sing - definitely miss Karaoke and the way station!

Read More:

• Brooklyn District 35 City Council Race: Where Things Stand