Letter to the Editor of the Dedham Times for the March 24, 2023 edition by Molly Uppenkamp

As a high school teacher with 15 years of experience in public schools, I know firsthand how important a thoughtful and effective School Committee is to the success of the staff and students of a district. My own young child will be joining the Dedham Public Schools in just a few years, and the upcoming term of the School Committee is of particular personal importance to my family. I am enthusiastically casting my 2 votes for Leah Flynn Gallant and Stephen Acosta.

I first got to know Dr. Leah Flynn Gallant last year when we joined the same book club, and I was instantly struck by her thoughtful listening and careful reflection in our group discussions. I have since learned that she brings these characteristics to all of her conversations, and I’m sure they have contributed to her success in a long career in higher education. I know that she will be a committed, thoughtful, qualified, and representative leader for our schools. Her professional experience working with students of all backgrounds, spearheading diversity and inclusion initiatives, and coordinating programming and resources for a large department are the perfect compliments to her personal experience as a parent of a child with special education needs. As an educator and parent, Leah is exactly the type of experienced and compassionate leader I want making decisions for our students.

Stephen Acosta reminds me of the brightest students who have come through my high school civics classes – not because of his age, but because he has a keen insight into complex issues and a passion to serve his community. Stephen’s own personal experience as a recent graduate of the DPS schools gives him a perspective lacking from the current committee, and the experiences of the young people attending our schools should be at the center of EVERY conversation about school policy. He also brings professional experience from his work in the state legislature that will be immensely valuable as the district embarks on a partnership with state agencies to replace the Oakdale School. I want my son to have the best experience possible in the DPS schools, and I am confident Stephen’s perspective will make our schools better for our students.

I hope you’ll join me in supporting Leah Flynn Gallant and Stephen Acosta for School Committee on April 8. Our schools need their leadership.

Molly Uppenkamp
Public Educator and Future DPS Parent