August 21, 2014

GOV. MALLOY APPOINTS ERIN BENHAM AND MARIA MOJICA TO STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

Also Names Two High School Seniors from Branford and Thomaston as Student Members

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he has appointed Erin D. Benham of Wallingford and Maria Isabel Mojica of Hamden to serve as members on the Connecticut State Board of Education.

"In today's global economy, it is absolutely essential that we work together with school systems to provide Connecticut students with the tools necessary to become the best educated and best prepared in the world," Governor Malloy said. "I look forward to having the input, knowledge and experience of Erin and Maria on the State Board of Education as we continue striving to ensure that all of Connecticut's children have access to quality education."

Benham has taught secondary school students for 35 years in the Meriden Public Schools system and is currently a literacy teacher at Lincoln Middle School. She is also President of the Meriden Federation of Teachers and Executive Committee Vice President of the Connecticut American Federation of Teachers. She earned a bachelor's degree from Saint Joseph's College, a master's degree in community health from Southern Connecticut State University, and a sixth year certificate in educational leadership from Southern Connecticut State University.

"It is a personal honor to be appointed by the Malloy-Wyman Administration to serve on the State Board of Education," Benham said. "We have made tremendous progress in Meriden for our city's children and their families. I want the same for all of our state's students, their parents, and their communities. I look forward to the opportunity to work with the board and address the challenges that lie ahead."

Mojica is presently an independent consultant advising nonprofit organizations on strategic planning, research and evaluation, and program design and development. She also served as Vice President for Program with the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, a large community foundation dedicated to creating vibrant communities within the Greater Hartford region. Previously, she was an executive for 12 years at the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund in Hamden. She earned a bachelor's degree and master's degree in public health, both from Yale University.

"I am honored to be nominated to the Connecticut State Board of Education by Governor Malloy," Mojica said. "This is a time of dynamic change and much needed reform. We have to get to the root causes that keep our children from succeeding, focusing on issues such as how we fund schools, close the economic and achievement gaps, and support success for our most vulnerable children."

Governor Malloy today also announced that he has appointed two high school seniors to serve as student members of the board. They are Michael Caminear of Branford, who attends Branford High School, and Megan Amalie Foell of Thomaston, who attends Thomaston High School.

The State Board of Education is responsible for establishing academic standards and setting policy for Connecticut's 149 local and 17 regional school districts, including preschool, elementary and secondary education, special education, vocational education and adult education. It also serves as the board of education for the 17 regional technical high schools.

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For Immediate Release: August 21, 2014

Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy