Latest news with #Morell
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Mansfield Board of Education names Morell as next superintendent
MANSFIELD — At the latest Board of Education meeting, members voted to select Candace Morell as the next Mansfield Public Schools superintendent. Morell, who currently serves as the district's Director of Teaching and Learning, will succeed Peter Dart. Her first day will be on July 1, upon his retirement. 'Candace's leadership and commitment to our district is exemplary,' said Kathy Ward, chairman of the Mansfield Board of Education which served as the Search Committee. 'As a Board of Education, we have seen the progress and innovation that Candace has brought to our district with her student-centered approach to teaching and learning. She has earned the respect of the leadership team and families.' Ward added the board believes Morell is the right candidate to move the district forward with its vision for excellence and dedication to the Core Beliefs. Morell started her professional journey in Mansfield in 1999 as a Reading and Science teacher at Mansfield Middle School. With her passion for science education, Morell collaborated with colleagues to develop engaging authentic learning experiences for all students that included science studies on the school campus as well as overnight excursions to Nature's Classroom and the Worcester Ecotarium. Morell believes in the importance of relevant real-world experiences for all students. During her role as teacher and administrator, she has facilitated and supported many afterschool and extended-year clubs and activities that have allowed students to explore new interests and develop important skills such as the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with others and persevere when faced with challenges. In 2005, Morell moved from the classroom to the role of assistant principal at Mansfield Middle School. The Connecticut Association of Schools named her as Assistant Principal of the Year in 2009. She was also recognized as a National Educational Leadership Policy Fellow. In 2014, Morell was selected as principal at Mansfield Middle School where she implemented innovative approaches to teaching and learning that improved student engagement and achievement levels. With Morell's leadership, The U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Mansfield Middle School as 20th among 557 Connecticut middle schools. The district established the administrative position of Director of Teaching and Learning in 2022, and Morell became a key member of Superintendent Dart's leadership team. In this new role, Morell spearheaded programs formalizing the district's commitment to Growing Educators. Collaborating with the Teacher Leader Team, she guided the district's focus on improving the elementary progress report for a better family understanding of student mastery and progress and established a structure for curriculum development and alignment from Pre-K to Grade 8. Morell earned her Bachelor's and Master's of Science degrees as well as her Educational Leadership (UCAPP) from the University of Connecticut, and her Superintendent Certification from Central Connecticut State University. 'I am continually impressed with Candace's ability to eloquently frame complex ideas in provocative, clear ways that support and give voice to our community and staff,' Dart said. 'Through her skilled communications, she affects change in authentic meaningful ways. Candace possesses the collective knowledge of history and best practices while embracing our current focus and sense of urgency.' Dart added that throughout Morell's 26-year tenure as an educator, assistant principal, principal and director of teaching and learning in the district, she has led by example by putting her students at the center of her work. Mansfield's search process included input from the community, staff members, government leaders, students and families through an online survey and virtual focus groups throughout the last few months.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
100 letters, 48 hours: Pierce County towns fight for access after bridge closure
When Wilkeson town clerk Marie Wellock sent out an email on April 30, she had no idea that it would be the beginning of something big. Wellock's email was a race to beat the clock. The goal? Write as many letters as possible to U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, (Democrat, WA-8) about the closure of the Carbon River Fairfax Bridge. Dave Morell, who represents District 1 on the Pierce County Council, was going to go to Washington D.C. to meet with Schrier later that week. One of his staff members reached out to Wellock and told her that Morell wanted letters to give to Schrier. 'They said he would like some letters drafted that he could hand deliver to her regarding the bridge and the access,' Wellock said in a recent interview. 'I immediately put together an email and sent it to all of the businesses here in Wilkeson and Carbonado as well as the people in the Carbon Canyon, just letting them know that this opportunity presented itself and that we should get as many letters as possible for him to hand deliver to D.C.' Just 48 hours later on May 2, Morell had over 100 letters to give to Schrier. The Washington State Department of Transportation closed the State Route 165 Carbon River Fairfax Bridge on April 22 due to safety concerns. The 103-year-old, single-lane bridge is the only way for vehicles to access key areas of Mount Rainier National Park, such as the Carbon River Ranger Station, Mowich Lake, Spray Park, the Carbon Glacier Trail and Tolmie Peak. While there is a 9-mile detour for law enforcement and local property owners, WSDOT has said it is not open to the public. Since then, Wilkeson and Carbonado have grappled with how to move forward. Businesses in Wilkeson previously told The News Tribune they are struggling to stay afloat without the tourist traffic from people visiting Mount Rainier in the summer. 'We know that we're a small area,' Wellock said. '[It] really pushed a lot of travelers this direction — not only our tourism, but just so people can see this northwest corner of the mountain and Wilkeson is the only way to get there.' In an interview with The News Tribune, Morell said residents who live in the Carbon Canyon have struggled since WSDOT closed the bridge. 'Most of them are an older population — a very hearty population, but they are an older population,' Morell said. 'So concern was response times, because now you have to go through two gates and a gravel road, so there are definitely concerns about if they call 911.' Wellock and Morell both told The News Tribune that the goal of the letter-writing campaign was to get federal eyes on this issue. 'We have thousands of acres of public lands that people can't access that we don't want to be forgotten,' Wellock said. 'If access is never restored, a regular person loses the ability to go to this section of the park … that's not the intent of public land. The intent of public land is to be open and accessible for all.' After Wellock sent out her initial email requesting letters, Friends of the Carbon Canyon posted about the campaign on their Facebook page. The post got 334 shares. 'WE KNOW that the Fairfax Bridge will NOT be repaired or replaced, BUT it is VITAL that access to the Carbon Canyon remains through the Carbon River Corridor, continuing to support the Towns of Burnett, Wilkeson & Carbonado,' the post said. Wellock also crafted templates for people who just wanted to sign their names and addresses. Children from Wilkeson Elementary chipped in by drawing pictures of the bridge. Some of the pictures had short notes attached. '[There's] a lot of history up in that area and a lot of these folks that live in Carbonado and Wilkeson have lived there multi-generations,' Morell said. 'And so their great-grandkids are going to Wilkeson Elementary and they know the stories.' Morell told The News Tribune that when he arrived in Washington D.C. later that week to talk to Schrier, he had all 100 letters in tow. 'There was someone, actually, who wrote a letter on the back of a napkin, so she had to read that one,' Morell said. 'But she just got the biggest smile on her face, [that] the community would rally together that quickly and send those letters.' The News Tribune reached out to Schrier's D.C., Issaquah and Wenatchee offices but did not get a response before deadline. Morell said his conversation with Schrier was a step forward, especially when it comes to helping businesses impacted by the closure. 'We talked about maybe getting some grants from the Department of Commerce,' Morell said. 'It would give them much-needed relief. There's a lot of grants that are available to help struggling small companies that need help, especially in an emergency situation like this.' Wellock said the community would continue to fight to get access restored. 'We want to keep the heat on them to either help WSDOT come up with the money [or] encourage the parks or the Forest Service to work with local agencies to maintain some level of access to these public lands,' Wellock said. WSDOT previously told The News Tribune it is considering three options now that the bridge is closed: Keeping the bridge closed and not replacing it. Building a replacement bridge in the same area. Re-routing State Route 165 to the east or west of Carbon River Canyon. The agency also told The News Tribune it is in the process of scheduling an in-person open house for the public, tentatively scheduled for early June. WSDOT is aiming to have an online open house go live shortly after Memorial Day. On WSDOT's website, there is a page for the planning study that will help the agency examine its options. The website said the study is being paid for by $1.5 million in state funding. '[This campaign] was a call of action to do something,' Wellock said. 'We can't just let this go. We're certainly not going to go quietly.' The News Tribune archives contributed to this report. In the Spotlight is a News Tribune series that digs into the high-profile local issues that readers care most about. Story idea? Email newstips@
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ilhan Omar Cusses Out Right-Wing Reporter Over Question on Wrongfully Deported Man
Rep. Ilhan Omar had no patience for a right-wing journalist who asked about her colleagues' trips to El Salvador Thursday. The Democratic congresswoman cussed out Myles Morell from conservative news website The Daily Caller on Thursday after he asked her about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man mistakenly deported by the Trump administration. 'Do you think more of your Democratic colleagues should be traveling to El Salvador to advocate on behalf of Abrego Garcia?' Morell asked Omar, referencing recent trips by liberal lawmakers, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Yassamin Ansari, to visit the deportee. 'I think you should f–k off,' Omar responded as she and her team walked past the reporter. 'I'm sorry, what, congresswoman? Who should?' Morell responded. 'You,' the lawmaker doubled down. In a video posted on X following the tense interaction, Morell said he had been spending the day asking House Democrats if they would encourage their colleagues to fly to El Salvador to advocate for Abrego Garcia's return to the U.S. 'I just found that very unprofessional, very rude, especially when I was just a journalist who's trying to do his job,' he said of Omar's response. 'Always a pleasure to see you,' Morell wrote in another post, tagging Omar's account. The clip sparked a firestorm in MAGAworld. South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace reposted The Daily Caller's video, writing: 'Waiting for Dem outrage over her choice of words.' Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk said Omar 'has no class, no gratitude to America, and no honor,' adding that she was 'truly a disgrace to the U.S. Congress.' MAGA commentator Tomi Lahren similarly said Omar was a 'nasty woman.' 'Reminder: Democrats say Donald Trump has lowered the tone of political rhetoric,' conservative pundit Piers Morgan said. Despite the outrage, Omar offered no apologies. 'I said what I said,' she wrote in response to a post by MAGA influencer Libs of TikTok. 'You and all your miserable trolls can f*ck off.' The Minnesota representative has had several heated clashes with conservative reporters in the past. In March, she pushed Fox News reporter Johnny Belisario out of an elevator while he was asking her why she refused to stand during President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress. 'You need to move,' Omar told the reporter as she closed the elevator on him. 'Have a good day. I need to go to a meeting.' Last year, she shushed another Fox News reporter who asked her about comments she made suggesting that there were 'pro-genocide' Jews. In October 2023, Omar called a Fox Business reporter a 'crazy lady' as she evaded questions about an Israel-Palestine ceasefire. Later that month, she yelled in exasperation in response to another question about the issue.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ilhan Omar Cusses Out Right-Wing Reporter Over Question on Wrongfully Deported Man
Rep. Ilhan Omar had no patience for a right-wing journalist who asked about her colleagues' trips to El Salvador Thursday. The Democratic congresswoman cussed out Myles Morell from conservative news website The Daily Caller on Thursday after he asked her about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man mistakenly deported by the Trump administration. 'Do you think more of your Democratic colleagues should be traveling to El Salvador to advocate on behalf of Abrego Garcia?' Morell asked Omar, referencing recent trips by liberal lawmakers, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Yassamin Ansari, to visit the deportee. 'I think you should f–k off,' Omar responded as she and her team walked past the reporter. 'I'm sorry, what, congresswoman? Who should?' Morell responded. 'You,' the lawmaker doubled down. In a video posted on X following the tense interaction, Morell said he had been spending the day asking House Democrats if they would encourage their colleagues to fly to El Salvador to advocate for Abrego Garcia's return to the U.S. 'I just found that very unprofessional, very rude, especially when I was just a journalist who's trying to do his job,' he said of Omar's response. 'Always a pleasure to see you,' Morell wrote in another post, tagging Omar's account. The clip sparked a firestorm in MAGAworld. South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace reposted The Daily Caller's video, writing: 'Waiting for Dem outrage over her choice of words.' Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk said Omar 'has no class, no gratitude to America, and no honor,' adding that she was 'truly a disgrace to the U.S. Congress.' MAGA commentator Tomi Lahren similarly said Omar was a 'nasty woman.' 'Reminder: Democrats say Donald Trump has lowered the tone of political rhetoric,' conservative pundit Piers Morgan said. Despite the outrage, Omar offered no apologies. 'I said what I said,' she wrote in response to a post by MAGA influencer Libs of TikTok. 'You and all your miserable trolls can f*ck off.' The Minnesota representative has had several heated clashes with conservative reporters in the past. In March, she pushed Fox News reporter Johnny Belisario out of an elevator while he was asking her why she refused to stand during President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress. 'You need to move,' Omar told the reporter as she closed the elevator on him. 'Have a good day. I need to go to a meeting.' Last year, she shushed another Fox News reporter who asked her about comments she made suggesting that there were 'pro-genocide' Jews. In October 2023, Omar called a Fox Business reporter a 'crazy lady' as she evaded questions about an Israel-Palestine ceasefire. Later that month, she yelled in exasperation in response to another question about the issue.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ilhan Omar snaps at conservative reporter to 'f--- off' for asking questions outside Capitol
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., used some R-rated language to brush off a reporter on Thursday. The lawmaker told Daily Caller News Foundation reporter Myles Morell to "f--- off" after he asked her a question about fellow Democratic Party figures traveling to El Salvador to defend illegal immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported to the country by the Trump administration. "Today I tried to ask @Ilhan a question on behalf of The @DailyCaller News Foundation and she told me to "F**k off" twice," Morell shared in an X post that also included video of the tense exchange. Whca President Opens Dinner Highlighting Trump's Absence And 'Extremely Difficult' Year For The Press "Do you think more of your Democratic colleagues should be traveling to El Salvador to advocate on behalf of Abrego Garcia?" Morell asked as Omar and an entourage walked outside the Capitol in Washington, D.C. As she continued walking, Omar replied, "I think you should f--- off." Read On The Fox News App Caught off guard, Morell asked, "I'm sorry, what?" The far-left lawmaker repeated herself, "You should f--- off." The journalist asked her to clarify once more. "Who should?" he asked. She shot back, "You." Elon Musk Receives Applause From Cabinet As He Begins Planned Departure From Doge Role "Why me?" Morell asked as the group walked away. One of Omar's staffers approached the reporter and handed him a card, saying, "We're not taking any questions right now, but here you go." Omar later responded to the clip being shared on X, stating, "I said what I said. You and all your miserable trolls can f--- off." Morell said Thursday he found Omar's conduct unprofessional and rude, noting he was asking other Democrats the same question. The Daily Caller is a right-leaning publication. Despite the hostility she showed to Morell, Omar has taken a public stance against people who attempt to intimidate and silence the press. Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture In a 2020 statement advocating for press freedom in Somalia — her country of origin — Omar stated, "In my work as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and as a Member of Congress, protecting the right to press freedom has been absolutely central to my policies and beliefs." She continued, "Whether it is demanding accountability for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, advocating for the release of imprisoned journalists, or insisting on the right of the press to cover domestic issues without intimidation here at home, I make no exceptions in my view that a free press is fundamental to an open, democratic society." Omar did not immediately reply to Fox News Digital's request for additional article source: Ilhan Omar snaps at conservative reporter to 'f--- off' for asking questions outside Capitol
