Get to know me better
My Commitment to Millburn
- For over 15 years, I've been deeply committed to children's and families' mental and emotional well-being in school, home, and the community.
- A parent of a 1st grader attending Hartshorn Elementary School.
- Licensed Mental Health Professional in private practice.
- Worked as a Certified School Social Worker and BCBA in a large school district in CT as part of the CST/IEP team and general student support services with frequent collaboration with the Administration.
- PTO Chair and Coordinator for the Millburn Municipal Alliance Committee (MMAC)
- Executive Director of The Millburn Short Hills Chamber of Commerce
- Core Team Member of the Poets Watch Neighborhood Watch Group
- Active Community and School Volunteer
My philosophy : Educate the Whole Child
- I hold a holistic vision for education, grounded in the whole child educational framework philosophy.
- The "Whole Child" educational philosophy advocates for a well-rounded approach to education that considers the comprehensive development of children—not just their academic skills but also their social, emotional, physical, and mental well-being. This educational philosophy also emphasizes a supportive learning environment, community involvement, and a focus on individual student needs.
- Education should be about more than test scores and GPAs. It’s both a right and a privilege that should equip our young people to become well-rounded, autonomous, and purpose-driven adults.
- In our schools, we need to encourage not just a love for learning but also a positive sense of self, tailored support for individual needs, and the removal of barriers that limit success.
- Millburn has a proud legacy of academic rigor, but we can't ignore the unintended stress that an ultra-competitive culture can induce.
- Our collective goal must be to foster an inclusive community that prizes not just achievements but also the well-being of every student.
A Shared Vision: My Commitment to You and Our Children
As a Board Member, my role will be:
- Constructive
- Informed
- Inclusive
I strongly believe in building interpersonal relationships as the foundation for making any successful changes, as these foster trust, coordination, and communication.
My professional and practical experience has allowed me to catalyze constructive change. My promise to you is simple but profound: to listen intently, to act decisively, and to faithfully represent you on the Board of Education.
This is our shared journey, and I'm eager to take the following steps with you, guided by your voices and aspirations. I’m here, fully committed to enriching every child's educational experience and infusing a whole-child educational philosophy in our district.
how i will impact positive change
- Inclusive Curriculum: Champion broader course offerings that cater to students of all abilities and passions. Work towards modernizing course access and curriculum updates to ensure we prepare our children for today's and tomorrow's college admissions and workplace landscapes.
- Capacity Building: Advocate for allocating resources that allow our district professionals to meet the needs of our increasing student body. This includes physical capacity and hiring more educational support and related services staff capacity to increase quality, consistency, efficiency, and access to services students need.
- School-Community Partnership: Support and Foster deeper collaboration between the Township Committee and the Board of Education. We need to have a consistent dialogue to plan for our town's growing population and maintain the school system's quality - the reason many families move to Millburn Short Hills.
- Financial Transparency: Shed light on out-of-district placement costs and work towards more cost-effective solutions. Prioritize hiring full-time staff versus contracting with vendors with high turnover rates, inconsistent service provision, and limited scope and authority within our schools.
- Governance & Policy Making: Utilize the board's policy-making and budgetary authority power, resulting in positive governance oversight that allows our Administration to lead in a way that aligns with our community needs and aspirations.
I want to hear from you
Let's Connect
I am always available to discuss your ideas for improving our schools and community. Please feel free to reach out to me via email or text. I'm excited to hear from you!
Send me a message on WhatsApp
Puja T. Parikh for Millburn Board of Education
