By Kathy Brown
In this series, we will introduce you to all eleven members of the Regional School District #17’s Board of Education for 2017-2019. This is the fifth article in the series. 
(Jan. 30, 3018) — Sue Twachtman, Republican from Haddam, was first elected to the Board of Education six years ago. She spent two of those years serving as the Chairman. She said that while she was Chairman, she made it a goal “to share accurate and important information with members of the community.” She has also chaired the Personnel and Evaluation Committee, and has been a member of the Facilities committee, and the Communications committee. She also served as a liaison to HK Parks and Recreation and to LEARN, our school district’s RESC, or Regional Education Service Center.
Sue told Haddam News that she was raised in Glastonbury. After graduating from high school there, she attended Southern Connecticut State University, where she earned a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. She spent 10 years teaching in the Glastonbury Public Schools, primarily in Kindergarten and First Grade levels. She also earned a Masters degree from Central Connecticut State University in Reading and Language Arts. Sue moved to Haddam in 1999. “I loved the small town feel and the beautiful Connecticut River; it seemed like a wonderful place to raise a family,” said Sue.
She resigned from teaching in order to focus on raising her two children, who are students in the Haddam Killingworth school district. While she was out of the workforce, she volunteered “to give back to the community.” She held volunteer positions such as chairing the Haddam Cooperative Nursery School Snoopy Fair, chairing Book Fairs at Haddam Elementary School, served on the Board of Directors for the Haddam Scholarship Fund, and more. Then she decided to run for the Board of Education in 2011 “to maintain a quality education in our community,” said Sue.
Now that her children are a little older (her daughter is in 8th grade at HKMS, and her son is in 10th grade at HKHS), she decided to get back into the workforce, and she is currently working at an elementary school in Middletown as an Interventionist, providing reading and math support. Having students in the school system, as well as teaching in another school district gives Sue a unique perspective. “I have a desire to support continued growth in Region 17 and believe that my educational background and experience is a benefit to the Board,” said Sue.
Currently, Sue is on the Communications committee, the Personnel and Evaluation committee, and the Public Building Committee.
Even though she is very busy between work and volunteering, she finds time to enjoy the outdoors through kayaking, biking, and boating, as well as attending her children’s sporting events, and spending time with her family.
“I have always felt it to be an honor and a privilege to be on the Region 17 Board of Education,” said Sue. “I am proud of the school district and pleased to be in a position to support all of our staff and students.”
