Interview: Andrea Weston

Andrea Weston, actress, advocate and mother of three, shares how she has fought to make a difference in the lives of her children.

“My involvement with the New York City school system happened by accident. I actually did not want to deal with the unfortunate politics and personal agendas that plague public education. I started volunteering about three years ago at my children's school (Bronx, NY). I helped out classroom teachers and read to Pre-k children. From there I got involved with the Parents Association and eventually became the Title one chairperson for my children's school. While I was learning about Title one, state and city funding for public education, I discovered that the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Several other concerned parents and myself got together to discuss how we could get the Department of Education, and elected official's attention, so that Bronx children can receive their fair share and have access to a quality education. Since I am not a DOE employee, I can pretty much standup to the bureaucrats and anyone, who does not have our children's best interest at heart. To date, I have successfully lobbied to keep a gift and talented program in the Bronx, introduced vegetarian and vegan options to administrators at a few schools and stopped a high school from being built behind an elementary school. I hope that one day all American children will have equal access to quality education and can compete globally.”

awestonrob@msn.com

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