Get to Know Esther Kennedy
My life and career have been in education
. I have taught history, gifted and talented students, oceanography, biology, and then fell into my true passion – special education. As an administrator, I have worked on curriculum and grants at the district, state, and national level. As a Graduate Professor at Plymouth State University for 20 years, I have supported the field by preparing the next generation of teachers for our schools. I have been fortunate enough to receive the honors of NH Special Education Director of the Year and Plymouth State University’s Graduate Professor of the Year.
As a school board member, I will share my knowledge of the education system with the team. I will listen to all constituents about how they see our schools. I will encourage my peers to understand the importance of including all children into our classrooms..
Esther Supports:
Schools that are inclusive of ALL students' academic needs.
Schools that support students and staff mental health.
Schools that support a multitude of extracurricular activities that meet ALL student's needs.
Schools that support and respect their staff.
Schools that are fiscally managed.
What's the top issue in Portsmouth Schools
Given to Seacoast Online as an answer to their questions.
The top issue Portsmouth’s schools are facing is the reason I’m running. During the past budget season, the City Council and School Board stated that the budget increase was so large due to the special education population being placed in out of district placements.
We must ask ourselves as a community: Why are we spending $5.8 million to have other schools educate our children? Why do we not have educational programs to support ALL our children? We know by age 22 most of these students will be back in our community, and yet they will have very little to no connections with their fellow young adults. We must create programs in our schools that will support and provide a quality education for ALL our students. Good programs can be cost effective and keep students in their home schools.
I know this for a fact. With 27 years of experience as a director of student services, overseeing and leading special education programs and working directly with special needs students, I have seen and accomplished this firsthand. Portsmouth school district [EK1] has 1480 students. The four other districts sending students into Portsmouth pay for their own out of district placements. The district I work in has 1240 students and my out of district budget is $150,000. Currently, I have no children placed in out of district and all remain included in our school district and community, as it is their home. Imagine what we could do for our schools with an additional $5.8 million if we kept our students in their home district!
Esther's past
Voters should know that I started in politics as a city councilor for two reasons: the wastewater treatment plant that was polluting our waterways and the fear that a middle school was going to be built on Jones Ave a polluted site. This site was one of the two places that was being considered for the middle school. As a councilor I voted to renovate the middle school.
I continued to vote on projects with the mindset that we need to support all children. I tried twice to get the council to vote for a skateboard park in Portsmouth. In my second attempt, we were successful and now we have a state-of-the-art skateboard park enjoyed by many of our students, and consistently is busy everyday afterschool. As we know, outside activities help with students’ mental health. Some of our students have shared with me they feel much better after skateboarding and it has provided them a community and friendships.
Graduate Professor Plymouth State University
As a Graduate Professor at Plymouth State University for 20 years, I have supported the field by preparing the next generation of teachers for our schools. I have been fortunate enough to receive the honor of Graduate Professor of the year for Plymouth State University.
Esther and Chris worked on a Skateboard Park for 15 Years!
As a long-term resident, public school administrator and small business owner. Esther has been a consistent voice for the residents of Portsmouth.
About Esther Kennedy Portsmouth, NH
Professional Background
Professional Background
Professional Background
Esther is proud to be a public-school administrator in Gilford NH, and a professor of special education for Plymouth State University.
Esther has spent the last 20 years managing Esther's Marina LLC and Teaching Today for Tomorrow LLC.
Personal Interests
Professional Background
Professional Background
Many of Esther's interests are based on the waterfront. She loves being on the water; it does not mater if she is paddling, sailing, or on a power boat.
She also enjoys being creative and is currently creating jewelry for Portsmouth Harbor Market.
Lastly you might find Esther at one of the many meetings at city hall.
She has stayed involved
Many of Esther's interests are based on the waterfront. She loves being on the water; it does not mater if she is paddling, sailing, or on a power boat.
She also enjoys being creative and is currently creating jewelry for Portsmouth Harbor Market.
Lastly you might find Esther at one of the many meetings at city hall.
She has stayed involved in the city in order to make sure the public has a voice and is informed of the truth.
Volunteer Work
Professional Background
Volunteer Work
As a minister’s child, Esther was taught from a young age that one should take part in her community and has thus been volunteering her whole life. Esther has participated in many local and state-wide committees. She has had the privilege to sit on the Governor’s Council for Marine Fisheries in the past, and currently sits on the Governor
As a minister’s child, Esther was taught from a young age that one should take part in her community and has thus been volunteering her whole life. Esther has participated in many local and state-wide committees. She has had the privilege to sit on the Governor’s Council for Marine Fisheries in the past, and currently sits on the Governor’s Council for Students with Disabilities. However one of the most rewarding events that she has organized is making sure our men and women serving overseas have a great Christmas. Esther has a niece who was a Captain in the US Army. Esther and other citizens of Portsmouth came together to make sure their units had a great Christmas while they were overseas for the Holidays.
Esther Kennedy ~ Family & Friends
