Educator and Rochester School Committee candidate Cheryl Hebert is concerned about the future of Rochester Memorial School students.

“It seems the past few years have brought changes that aren’t necessarily positive,” she said, citing the loss of a science specialist.

“There are budget issues I’m interested in working on with the committee to find positive, creative solutions.”

Hebert and her family moved to Rochester four years ago, impressed by the school’s reputation.

Hebert, her husband, and three children moved to town from Acushnet after she found education opportunities at other schools lacking.

The Heberts considered school choice, but decided it wasn’t an option.

“Rochester would have been a lottery pick if we stayed,” she said. “I didn’t want to gamble with my children’s education. Instead, we found a house to move into and now they’re here, and part of the community.”

Hebert’s educational background would serve the committee well, she noted. She taught English at the Greater New Bedford Vocational School for 13 years. For the last three years she’s taught history and science.

In that time, she’s served on numerous committees in the school.

“I’ve worked with people who had many different opinions to hash out ideas that are positive for everybody,” she said. “We’ve done a lot of team decision making.”

Looking ahead, Hebert said a shift in technology is the greatest challenge students will face.

In the coming years, students will be asked to switch from the “pen and paper” MCAS tests to the online only assessment Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC.

Adults may assume kids are “tech savvy,” but that’s not always the case, according to Hebert.

“Some of my tenth grade students don’t know how to save information to a flash drive,” she said. “They’re not taught these things in school anymore, but they should be expected to know it.”

She said it’s important to teach tech skills to students.

Whoever wins, Hebert said they have the town’s best interest at heart.

“Everyone here is down to Earth. In this community , we are so committee to wanting to help. Whoever is elected will work really hard on behalf on the kids.”