By Kate Bartlett
Carla Kruszynski has lived in Ellicottville for over 20 years and is deeply rooted in the community. As a mother of three teenagers, she is actively engaged in their school, athletics and other various community activities. She is currently running for school board and embraces the motto to love where you live and participate in the community.
Carla has been married to her husband, Dan Kruszynski for twenty years this June. She is a Special Education teacher and has been an educator for twenty-four years in the West Seneca Central School. Throughout her career, Carla has served in a variety of educator and leadership roles. Carla received a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Elementary Education from the State University at Buffalo, Masters of Education in Secondary Social Studies from the State University of Buffalo and School District Administration Certification from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
Carla enjoys participating in community events in Ellicottville and embraces the four-season’s resort town. “It’s such a fun place to live; we’re blessed to have so much right here in our own backyard.” Her family enjoys snowsports in the winter, golf, swimming, biking, fishing and hiking, in the summer and enjoys the year-round festivities Ellicottville has to offer. “We love Fall Fest, Rock and Roll Weekend in the fall, the live music throughout the summer, the Fourth of July celebrations and participating in the Christmas Stroll to name a few.”
Carla and her husband have taught their children to embrace the four seasons and participate in the activities that are available to them. “We’re so fortunate to have all these opportunities at our fingertips, and we’re sure to not take them for granted. Our children learned how to golf and ski / snowboard at young ages, and continue to enjoy these sports to this day.” Holiday Valley offers opportunities for children to learn and grow along with many other area programs.
The Kruszynski children have grown up with the Ellicottville Park Program in the village, and Carla speaks highly of the counselors and program. “It’s such a wonderful program. Our children learned how to swim and stayed active through the summer. They formed relationships with the counselors and looked up to them as mentors through the years. In a small town, those relationships are so meaningful.” The Ellicottville Summer Soccer Program is a place where all three of the children began learning the skills and love of the game that they now participate in at the modified through varsity level.
Carla and her husband have raised their children with a service and leadership mindset. “We are instilling the importance of service to their community. It’s important to love where you live and take an active role in the community.” Volunteer opportunities are a great way to achieve this. For example, the family has volunteered through the years at the fall and spring EVL and Happy half marathon and 5K, this benefits local community organizations including the Ellicottville Sports Boosters. During the Christmas Stoll and Living Nativity in Ellicottville all three children have been participating through the years, starting as angels and have now progressed to reading for the event. Carla’s husband Dan leads by example as a volunteer member of the Ellicottville Fire Department and the Ellicottville-Great Valley Ambulance Service. In the Ellicottville community there are many individuals that exhibit these qualities and give the children in the community wonderful role models.
Carla is currently running for a position on the Board of Education for Ellicottville Central School. She brings her experience in the education realm along with her insights as a parent with three teenage children in the Ellicottville School District. “My goal is to bring multiple lenses to the board as a parent and as an educator.”
Carla believes strongly in education as our children are the next generation to grow this community. “Living in a small town, it is all the more important to allocate our resources wisely. The schools are at the heart of our community and it’s all encompassing. Members of the community enjoy school musicals, sporting events and other school functions regardless of if they have a child currently enrolled. I aim to be respectful, resourceful and responsible with our resources for our children and the community as a whole.”
Anyone looking to support Carla in her efforts with the Board of Education can vote on Tuesday, May 21st, 1:00pm-8:00pm at Ellicottville Central School in the elementary foyer. We can all take a piece of advice from Carla and embrace the community in which we live and become active members in our community.