JEFFREY L. GOSSELIN
Name: Jeffrey L. Gosselin
Address: 330 Elm St.
Occupation: Education Support Professional; Northampton Public Schools
What experience and qualifications do you have that would be an asset to city schools?
Commonwealth of Massachusetts licensed educator: Elementary Education (1-6); School Counselor (5-12)”PROFESSIONAL” A.S., Holyoke Community College, Liberal Arts; B.S., American International College, Elementary Education; M.Ed., Springfield College, Higher Education Administration; C.A.G.S., Springfield College, Organizational Development & Labor Studies; Certificate, Holyoke Community College, Group Exercise Leadership; former Teacher: Springfield Public Schools, Western New England College, Admissions clerk, Program Supervisor and Counselor at the Carson Center, Adjunct Faculty Westfield State University.
What are your main concerns for the schools and how do you hope to address them?
Some of my main concerns are: city-wide redistricting plans of our schools, construction and potential building of a new elementary school, review of our long range plans, expanding the Shelter English Immersion program and looking at our growing ELL English Language Learner population. I would advocate for residents to have a special meeting throughout the school year by listing on the agenda individual wards at regular school committee meetings, create a five year technology plan, consult with ELL educators and create programs for our schools that really work successfully with students, such at the Alternative Learning Program, the Learning Disability Program, the Gaining Opportunity through Active Learning & Support Program.
What do you consider the most successful recent project/program in the school system?
The most successful program in the school system has been the Go-Green building improvements and the cultivation of eco-friendly initiatives and energy saving programs that our school system has started. We need to do more to save the environment, time, and money.
What project/program needs to be a priority in Westfield’s schools?
Our project priorities would be to continue our planning for an addition to Westfield High School and our construction for either an addition or a new elementary school.
Why should residents vote for you?
I bring to the school committee a lifetime of professional experience as an educator, counselor, and active member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the Northampton Association of School Employees. I am a lifelong resident of Westfield and have knowledge of the schools and community.
What prompted you to run for election?
I strongly believe educators need to be heard and have a voice at the table. I have had the unique opportunity to follow Westfield Public Schools very closely; my mother Sharon A. Merlo-Gosselin served on the Westfield School Committee for three terms and my grandmother Shirley Merlo-served as the President of the Parent Teacher Association at the former Prospect Hill Elementary School.
