Heather Manzella
Elections and appointments
Personal
Contact
Heather Manzella ran for election for an at-large seat of the School District U-46 Board of Education in Illinois. She lost in the general election on April 4, 2023.
Manzella completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Heather Manzella was born in Evanston, Illinois. She earned a bachelor's degree from St. Olaf College in 1993 and a graduate degree from National Lewis University in 1996. Her career experience includes working as an educator, administrative assistant, box office sales agent, and in retail. She has been affiliated with Phi Beta Kappa and the Elgin Township Republican Central Committee.[1]
Elections
2023
See also: School District U-46, Illinois, elections (2023)
General election
2023
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Heather Manzella completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Manzella's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Expand all | Collapse all
A product of Palatine School Districts 15 and 211, I enjoyed my time in school. In addition to the academic learning, I was involved in band, swimming, theater, student council, and a variety of other clubs. I continued my education with a Bachelors in Music from St. Olaf College and a Masters in Elementary Education from National-Louis University.
As a public school teacher since 1996, I am dedicated to the success of our children. I have taught junior high Language Arts, 6th grade; Pre-k through 8th grade general music, Day-to-Day and Long Term Substitute teacher in all subjects, McHenry County College adjunct, High School after-school props and costume director, and supported special needs classes.
My experiences in districts from Chicago Public Schools to Glenview have given me the opportunity to work with families from a variety of socio-economic levels and to strengthen my appreciation for all cultures.
Additionally, my community involvement has included Church Council, Chancel Choir Director, Community Theater, North Shore Choral Society, and Elgin Choral Union.
- Student proficiency must be improved.
- Curriculum must be appropriate and focused on the basics of reading, writing, and math.
- Tax dollars must be spent wisely to benefit students and parents.
Communication and partnership with parents to support and empower each child to achieve to the best of their abilities is essential for each student to become a responsible, contributing member of society.
I look up to my mother. She is kind, supportive, intelligent, brave, resilient, and always finds the silver lining in every situation. Her faith in God, devotion to family and friends, and her unquenchable thirst for learning are inspiring to me.
Elected officials need to have integrity, be open to conversation, be flexible, respectful, and responsible.
I am a good listener and I enjoy problem solving.
School Board members must research, gather information from a variety of sources, attend school activities, participate in the community, and support student, parents, and all staff.
I would like to leave a legacy of students who are well-rounded, responsible, contributing members of society.
I remember how exciting is was to celebrate the United States Bicentennial on July 4, 1976, when I was 5-years-old.
I was a lifeguard during the summers. The first summer, I worked at the Meadow Club; the second was a community pool in Palatine; and the next summer I was Waterfront Director at Lutherdale Bible Camp.
"The Big Orange Splot" by Daniel Manus Pinkwater. I love to see all the creative ways each person decorates their home, honoring their dreams.
Tigger because he has boundless energy.
"Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles
I am currently struggling with aging parents. They are wonderful, and it is difficult to see them slowing down and losing memories.
The primary job of a school board member is to protect and provide for the students enrolled in the district.
My constituents are the parents and taxpayers.
Diverse needs must be understood, therefore I welcome open conversations which can lead to understanding and determining the best course of action that will be most beneficial to all parties involved.
It is important to be active in school and community activities. I will attend a variety of school events across the district from athletics to fine arts, as well as events at the public libraries, and anywhere else I discover will help me to better connect with and get to know parents and taxpayers.
Teaching is an art. A good teacher encourages, protects, respects, and nurtures each child. This is not quantitatively measured. This quality is observed and reflected by the students. I will encourage administrators to cover classes for teachers who can then go observe other teachers. In this way, colleagues are able to experience a variety of teaching styles and can incorporate new methods to their own classrooms.
The curriculum must be strengthened at the foundation. Students need to know how to spell, print, write cursive, read at grade level, and memorize basic math facts. There must be a focus on critical thinking and problem solving. Once students are capable of the fundamentals, there is absolutely a need for technical training and apprenticeships. It would be lovely if high school students could achieve their physical education by volunteering in the community by helping to mow lawns, rake leaves, and shovel for those who cannot do this themselves. Other opportunities can be assisting at hospitals, retirement homes and communities, and neighborhood gardening and clean-up programs.
To date, I have not had the opportunity to study the district's financial information, but I do believe that every individual and organization can find ways to use the money they have (ie, what is already given by taxpayers) in a more efficient and effective manner.
Every child needs to feel physically and emotionally safe. Respect must be the foundation for all behaviors. The district can offer classes to parents to help them create and maintain boundaries for their children. Staff can receive trainings in this as well.
Not only are their counselors in the schools, there are supports within the community about which parents need to be aware. If there is an environment of respect, this will immensely help the mental health of all.
Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Interrupting Cow.
Interrupting Co---
MOOOO!!! Parents need to be a bigger factor in major life decisions made by students.
Karen Dowling, Elgin Township Clerk
David Winters, Parent of U-46 students & graduates
Students learn best when they feel physically safe, emotionally supported, encouraged to be their best, and held to the highest of standards.
It has been proven that lockdowns and masks were harmful to our students. I believe that the board must collect research from a variety of sources before making drastic decisions. As one of the largest districts in the state, the board can stand up for our children when the government is not putting them first.
In addition to attending school events, my personal email is available to parents and taxpayers. I will listen and bring concerns to the board,
Staff, faculty, and administration are attracted to successful schools with positive and supportive environments. The board must work with administrators to help them to create this in their schools.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
External links
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on March 20, 2023
