Schools
Video: Teacher Pierson Vies for Spot on School Board
Amy Pierson wants to balance the interest of students and taxpayers.
Amy Pierson, 38, is an elementary school teacher; however, she is currently unemployed. She taught remedial reading for three years at and was a teaching assistant there for one year. She taught kindergarten and third grade for a year each at . She has also worked as a pre-school teacher for Once Upon a Daycare and as a respiratory therapy technician for a homecare company based in East Setauket. She managed Le Marc's Hallmark in Bridgehampton and worked in retail at Coach Factory Store in East Hampton.
She has served on the board of deacons of and on the church's pastor nominating committee.
Pierson graduated from Kickapoo High School in Springfield, Missouri. She took undergraduate courses at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green and earned a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Southampton College and has worked toward a master’s degree in literacy and instructional technology from Long Island University. She also holds a respiratory therapy technician certificate from Francis Tuttle Vo-Tech College in Oklahoma City.
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Pierson has lived in for 18 years. She has been a PTO/PTA member for nine years and an active volunteer. She also advocates, volunteers and fundraises for the American Heart Association and teaches Community Vacation Bible School each summer. In the past, she has served her daughters’ Girl Scout troop as a “cookie mom” and served as a member of the education committee of the . She also taught Sunday School at First Presbyterian.
Pierson’s husband, Rodney “Chip” Pierson, is the chief of the Southampton Fire Department. Her daughters, Sarah, 14, and Shelby, 12, attend Southampton schools.
Find out what's happening in Southamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Patch asked Pierson three questions. Here are her answers in his own words:
What qualifies you to be a member of the school board?
While I share some qualifications with my opponents (resident of the district, desire to represent the taxpayers, interest in the success of the district's students), I have a unique perspective. Having an inside view of how a school works through my experience as a classroom teacher will provide invaluable insight as the school board works towards meeting and defining the district's goals, mission and vision. This experience, coupled with my being a parent of two children in the district, affords me personal knowledge of how the decisions of the school board can support day-to-day successes within the classroom. An active, involved community member, I am known for putting my community-building and problem-solving skills to work to create solutions to problems with respect and compassion for all involved. I engage the use of logic and strategic planning when faced with a goal and pride myself on my positive attitude and outlook on life.
Why do you want to be a member of the school board?
Given the economic health of our nation, state and community, the decisions the school board is going to make in the next five years are going to be difficult. It is imperative these decisions reflect balance between the best interest of the students and the best interest of the taxpayers. By bringing my experience, outside-of-the-box thinking process and my genuine love of the students this district serves, I know I can ensure that balance is maintained. I have a vested interest in the district as a parent and as a community member and enjoy the idea of being able to affect the "big-picture" direction in which the district moves.
If elected, what changes would you like to see at Southampton Schools?
Increasing our students' access and use of technology is one area I am particularly interested in effecting change. Our district has made positive strides toward ensuring the students become technologically literate, but there is a long way to go. Technology education can provide our students not only with the skills they will require to be competitive in college and the workforce, but also offers opportunities to meet diverse needs, close the achievement gap and cultivate life-long learning and problem solving skills. I would like to see us move toward providing the equipment, classes and support to meet this need.
“Meet the Candidates Night” will be held May 11 between 6:30 and 9 p.m. at the library. The will take place May 17 in the intermediate school music room.
