Maureen Hedden honored

Montgomery’s newest Citizen of the Month doesn’t stop giving back

By Nadine Cafaro
Posted 5/31/23

Maureen Hedden is a Valley Central School District power house, and most recently, she was nominated for the Town of Montgomery’s April Citizen of the Month.

Hedden, a Montgomery resident, …

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Maureen Hedden honored

Montgomery’s newest Citizen of the Month doesn’t stop giving back

Posted

Maureen Hedden is a Valley Central School District power house, and most recently, she was nominated for the Town of Montgomery’s April Citizen of the Month.

Hedden, a Montgomery resident, works for the Alternative Learning Center, a VCSD innovative program in Maybrook that aims to support students with anxiety at all levels.

“It’s part of Valley Central but it’s a different type of student. Anytime one of them needs something, we help them out. Anytime one of them has an event, someone from here goes to the event, and I tend to be the one that goes to the events. If someone needed something done, I would just do it,” said Hedden.

On top of this, she is one of the district photographers for Valley Central. During COVID, Hedden did senior portraits for free for students during her own time.

Hedden doesn’t usually put herself in the spotlight.

“I’m not one that likes to be the center of attention,” she says. “ I’m one that likes to just do things and walk away.”

Hedden moved to Montgomery 22 years ago but is originally from Rockland County. After graduating college, she got married and then closed on her house in Montgomery the day after she delivered her second son. Hedden is a mother to a daughter and two sons, all of whom live at home with her.

“I babysat for some kids in my house and then I worked in a preschool in Montgomery,” she recalled. “ I ended up working for Valley Central and this is my ninth year here at the Alternative Learning Center. I started here when they first opened.”

Hedden’s involvement in the school doesn’t stop there. She is in charge of the Winter Holiday Gift Store and collects donations so students can purchase gifts free of charge during the holiday season for loved ones. She is also on the All-Night Graduation Party committee, a member of the Parent Teacher Student Association, Valley Central Parents For Social Justice, and the Orange County Pride Parent Ally Coalition.

Outside of this, Hedden donates to the Sparrow’s Nest charity and cooks and delivers for Cookies for Caregivers.

When discussing why she’s heavily involved in her community, Hedden mentioned its a lot about how she grew up.“I try and do everything I can. I was raised to give back,” said Hedden.

Nominations for citizen of the month can be sent to LRowley@townofmontgomery.com.