Do You Know Who I Am?

As part of the New York State School Boards Association Do You Know Who I Am campaign, Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES is publishing its own take on the Proust Questionnaire with each of its board members. To launch the series, here is an interview with Katherine Brechner of Croton-on-Hudson.

 Q. How long have you been a school board member?

A. I have been a board member for 19 years – three years on the PNWBOCES board and 16 years on the Croton Board of Education. 

 Q. What made you decide to run for the school board initially?

A. I have three children and I’m a big supporter of public education, so I had volunteered. As a school volunteer, I tried to choose activities that would meet a need rather than simply volunteering so I could sit next to my child in a class. When I was asked to consider running, I was interested because it offered a way for me to understand what the school system was all about. I liked the idea of having a hand in finding the best ways to meet the needs of the children.

 Q. What is your occupation?

A. Recently, I’ve been providing horticultural therapy in nursing homes and other settings after receiving a certificate from the New York Botanical Gardens.   This summer, I’ll be running the nature program at JCC Camp Discovery in Croton again.

 Q. What is special about serving on a BOCES Board of Education?

A. Right now, BOCES is becoming even more critical in New York education as people realize the importance of collaboration. Local control over that is key: The idea that we should be helping to figure out what needs to be done for our component school districts, and the best way to do that -- rather than have the state Education Department tell us what needs to be done. We try to anticipate the needs of the districts so that we can react quickly.

 Q. What is the biggest challenge you face as a board member?

A. Working with the boards of our component districts so that they understand that their school communities really make up our BOCES, and drive what we do for area students: We are you, and you are us.  Because local school boards turn over, that is a continuing challenge. 

 Q. What do you like to do in your spare time?

A. I like to garden and get outside and enjoy nature. I also like to read, and visit with friends.

 Q. What qualities do you value in a school board member?

A. I value members who understand it’s not about their own kids, it’s about all of the kids. I think it’s important to be willing to listen and to hear others out. I also think that school boards are a tremendous commitment and I value those who put in that time willingly and gracefully.

 Q. What qualities do you value in an educator?

A. I value educators who are lifelong learners and of course put the students first. I appreciate those who are willing to try something new – and who are open to collaborating with colleagues. The days of closed-door classrooms are gone.  

 Q. Who are your heroes?

A. That’s a tough one. Without singling out anyone, I’ve worked with an impressive group of women who have been my role models – wonderful women who have also served as my mentors. I’ve been fortunate in that regard.

Q. Who are your favorite authors?

A. I like Alexander McCall Smith. I read a lot, so my favorite authors can change from year to year depending on what types of books I’m reading at the time.

 Q. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

A. I think it is when you figure out how to be one’s authentic self. Women in particular do a lot because they think they should or because they think it will make others happy; true happiness means being true to your own self.