Melissa Pacheco

My name is Melissa Pacheco and I am running for school committee in Westport. I am a lifelong Westport resident who graduated from Westport High School. My mom was a Middle School cafeteria worker and my dad was a musician who owned Carl’s TV and Music and provided guitar and fiddle lessons to children in town.

My husband Joseph is also a Westport high alum. We are parents to Julia, a Jr/Senior High School student and the late Katelyn, who would have been 17.

I am a higher education professional who believes that education can bring the community together and transform lives. I have worked in higher education for over 23 years in areas including finance, grants, corporate programs and graduate education. I have a bachelors degree in accounting, an MBA, and masters in education leadership. I am currently completing my PhD in education leadership. I was on the school committee from 2013 to 2016. I also volunteer for a number of non profit organizations.

I am a first generation college student, who did not have college aspirations as a high school student. I didn’t realize that my success was only limited to the limitations I set for myself. I now realize that none of us have to settle, but that we should all continue to strive towards the things in life that make us happy.

Education and career goals for our Westport students are just as diverse as the students themselves. As a district we must work together to identify career and education paths that highlight student strengths and in areas that are within their interests. Programs that include experimental learning such as internships and job shadowing, partnerships that engage the Westport community that we live in and love, and career development exercises that begin in the elementary school are just a few examples of areas that I believe can add value to our education system.

Through my experience I understand budgets and finance and the need to ensure every student is provided the opportunity for an education that meets their needs, including the need for social and emotional support and resources for our students with special needs.

I am an advocate for students. I care deeply. I am a professional with high standards who understands the fiscal situation we are in, but will always advocate for opportunities when they present themselves. I believe that every voice is important. I also believe in civility and mutual respect. I can’t promise that I will solve all of the world’s problems, but I can promise that I will respectively listen with an open mind, research concerns, seek opportunities, support school endeavors, advocate for our schools and work hard on behalf of the town and school.