Susan M Stephenson » Directory

Candidate Statement

Hello! My name is Susan Stephenson and I am a candidate for election to the Hopkinton School Committee. I just moved to Hopkinton from Pennsylvania in September, but I have made many visits here over the past 25+ years. I decided to settle here because I like the friendly, small-town atmosphere. Additionally, my values align more closely with those of the people here than in my former home in Western PA. I am a retired English teacher and have devoted my working life to education. I want to use my knowledge and experience in education to give back to my new community.

Having served as a teacher for 36 years, I am passionate about quality education. I taught in the Seneca Valley School District in PA, which was always ranked in the top 10 districts in the state. I am aware of the budgetary challenges facing the Hopkinton school system. If I am elected to the School Committee, my commitment will be to keep Hopkinton schools top-ranked. It will not be easy to maintain quality education in the face of budgetary constraints, but I am not afraid of tough problems and will always keep the needs of all students my top priority.
In my previous school district I served as department chair and also as a union leader. Having worked with School Board members and the superintendent’s office, I have a deep understanding about school needs, about the interests of all the parties, and about how schools are governed.

I am opposed to censorship and to political interference in school curricula. While this may not be a problem currently in Massachusetts, we need to be watchful of the situation on the national level.

On a personal note, my hobbies are gardening, woodworking, taking an art class, and playing with my golden retriever Wallace.

I pledge to serve the needs of all students in the very best way possible and to stand up for continued top-quality education in Hopkinton. I respectfully ask for your vote on Monday May 15, 2023.