Jason Woolson

Place of Employment: Knead the Dough, Inc.

Education

High School: Wilson High School

Spouse: Sarah Woolson

Children: Elliot, Reese, and Henry

What motivates you to want to become a school board member?

My children are my biggest motivator for being on the school board. When I first ran for the board three years ago, I did so because I felt it was the best way to advocate for the educational needs of the children in the Wilson School District. I recognize that it is imperative for parents of current students to be part of the decision-making process for the district. During my first term, I have learned valuable lessons and developed the skills that have helped me become a more effective advocate and school board member.

What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a board member?

 My first three years on the board have given me the opportunity to engage in various initiatives and serve on several committees that have uniquely prepared me to continue to serve effectively. This experience helped me develop a strong understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a board member. Additionally, serving on the board has given me the opportunity to participate in numerous school activities, which have given me a deeper appreciation of what it takes to keep our district running smoothly.

In what school district or community activities/organizations have you been involved?

I am currently serving in my third year of my first term on the Wilson School Board. I have been a Wilson Elementary PTA member for 8 years. I also volunteer for the Wilson Music Parents Association, and I serve on the District Shared Decision Making Team.

Please provide a short quote or philosophy.

"There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit." - Ronald Reagan

Kathleen Stewart

Place of Employment: Retired Wilson Central School Teacher

Education

College: Niagara County Community College, University at Buffalo, and Niagara University

Spouse: David Stewart

Children: Summer Kraatz

What motivates you to want to become a school board member?

I am motivated to continue serving on the Wilson Central School Board because I have a lifelong interest in our school population. I care very much about the education, health, and welfare of our students. I believe that we have a truly wonderful school community. I would like to continue being part of both maintaining and improving our school.

What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a board member?

 My 34-year career as an elementary school teacher allows me to bring an educational perspective to the Board. I have an undergraduate degree in Special and Regular Education. My Master's Degree is in Reading Specialist, and I have 30 more graduate hours in various coursework.

 As of June 30, I will have had nine years of experience serving on our Board of Education. I have taken many courses and continue to attend various Zoom Workshops and conferences to keep me up to date on what is going on in education.

In what school district or community activities/organizations have you been involved?

●Former Secretary and Member of Thomas Marks PTA (Lifelong Membership Award Recipient)

●Odyssey of the Mind Coach

● Co-Chaired several Wellness fairs at Thomas Marks Elementary School

●Charter Member of the Optimist Club

●Member of many community groups, including the Gnostic Guild, Literacy Group, Wilson Free Library (Friends of the Library), and the Wilson Historical Society

●Past member of the Wilson Recreation Commission

●Niagara County Environmental Committee Member

●Several Niagara Council Committees on Aging and Wellness Fairs

●Spearheaded the building of the original Robert Leathers Community Playground at Thomas Marks Elementary School, and 25 years later, the School Board Trustee on the Committee to replace the Robert Leathers Playground with the existing playground at Wilson Elementary School

●Classroom Volunteer at Quest Elementary School in Hilton, NY (granddaughter's classes)

●Served on the Wilson School Board as Trustee for three terms of three years each

●Vice-President of the Wilson Central School Board

●Current representative for Wilson Central School District of the Niagara Orleans School Boards Association (NOSBA)

●New York State School Board Association Legislative Advocate

●Recipient of the New York School Boards Association Lifetime Achievement Award

●Served on the Capital Project Committee for Wilson Central School District

●Served on various hiring committees for the Wilson Central School District

Please provide a short quote or philosophy.

My philosophy would be to have each of our students be all they can be. Provide them with the necessary tools to be able to go out into society and become fully functional adults that benefit our community as well as be productive leaders of our world.

In doing so, we need to continue to be financially responsible to our community, whether we are employed or retired (on a fixed income). We need to look at the needs of our students - socially, emotionally, and intellectually, as well as safety- and continue with improvements necessary to keep up with the fast-changing world.