As a mother of three, Kathleen Amaral is no stranger to the education advocacy.

Her son Liam has significant disabilities, and received one-on-one support as a fifth grader at Quinn Elementary. It’s triggered Amaral’s passion to not only support special needs students, but all students in the Dartmouth school system.

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"They sort of frame my passion for becoming involved," Amaral said.

Amaral has volunteered the Dartmouth Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) since 2007 and co-chaired the group since 2013. She also works with Healthy Dartmouth to promote positive, sustainable lifestyles, and has served on the Strategic Planning Committee and several hiring committees for school administrators.

If elected to the School Committee, Amaral would prioritize social and emotional learning and parent engagement initiatives that support the district’s strategic plan.

She’d also like to ensure key programs and services — such as the AP classes and theatre group that her children are involved in — are funded in the school budget, but will make sure that music, arts, and sports are included as well.

Amaral plans to continue advocating for children and families. She helped found a Facebook group for Dartmouth parents to discuss school issues — titled Dartmouth Parents 14.0 — and will bring those conversations to the School Committee's attention.