Tag: Tessa

Hi everyone, my name is Tessa and I am Connecticut’s 2026 Kid Governor. For those of you who don’t know me yet, my platform is Everyone Belongs. It’s about inclusion for students with disabilities. For more details, check out my main page and my first blog post. It took a long time and lots of hard work to get where I am now, and I am very proud to represent all of you.

March is a very important month. It is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. During the month, it is important to spread awareness about disabilities. 

Many of you might be wondering, “What is a disability?” There are different types of disabilities. The ones we probably think of first are physical disabilities, such as the loss of a leg or an arm. These are often noticeable, and we can probably tell if someone has one or not. 

However, this isn’t the only type of disability. There are developmental disabilities that affect your brain, like autism, which is where a brain grows and processes the world differently, or Down Syndrome. Kids with Down Syndrome may take longer to talk, walk, and learn new things, but you should treat them like everybody else. In total, a disability is something that affects a person’s brain or body a certain way, so they might have to do things differently than others. However, this does not make them less of a human being. 

One way we can help kids with disabilities is to treat them with kindness. Be an ally, not a bully. You don’t have to be their best friend for life, but you should always be nice. Once in a while, check in on them. If you see bullying, report it. Don’t join in.

Also, don’t forget about my poster contest! It is open to all 5th graders across Connecticut, and the theme is “In what ways do you and your family welcome and include people with disabilities, so that everyone feels happy, safe, and like they belong?” Artwork and permission forms must be submitted by March 31. More details are on the Kid Governor website.

I hope you all will help include students no matter what they look like or sound like. If you have ideas to share with me or are making a difference in your community, you can email me at Tessa@CT.KidGovernor.org.

Remember to be inclusive to everyone!

Theresa (Tessa) Hallinan

2026 Kid Governor

Green Acres Elementary School

North Haven

Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas administering the oath of office

Hi everyone, my name is Tessa and I go to Green Acres Elementary School in North Haven. I was elected as Connecticut’s 2026 Kid Governor by the fifth graders of Connecticut last November. Today I was sworn into office by Connecticut’s Secretary of State, Stephanie Thomas. It was an exciting day for me and my Cabinet Members!

I went through a long process to become Kid Governor, starting with class and school elections. Then, I was selected as one of the seven final candidates in the Statewide Election. In the election, each candidate had to choose a community issue to focus their platform on. I researched many topics, from school lunches to school safety, to homelessness, but the issue that stuck out to me was inclusion for students with disabilities. When I found out I had won the election, I was shocked and proud of myself. I knew that I had worked hard and I was excited, but most of all, I was glad the State of Connecticut was finally ready to accept kids for who they are. 

As Kid Governor, I have a Cabinet made up of the other candidates from the election. My Cabinet Members are very kind and great leaders. There’s Ajla, Alyvia, Dylan, Myra, Nana, and Samuel. Their platforms are also very important and have some connections to mine. They are all focused on inclusion and making sure everyone feels cared for and welcomed. 

There are many programs that help students who are excluded. However, students with disabilities feel left out every day. In fact, research from 2025 shows that over 90% of children with disabilities experience social isolation, while only 60% of kids with no disabilities report feeling left out sometimes. This means that students with disabilities are more likely to feel isolated or not welcome. 

My platform to address this issue has three steps. 

1. Share resources with kids across Connecticut to explore with their class. These resources are meant to help students understand how people with disabilities are feeling and see things from their points of view.
2. Invite schools to create buddy systems to promote inclusion among kids of all abilities. This system is meant to bring students together and create a bond between people who might not know each other well yet.
3. Finally, I will encourage schools to have a buddy lunch table, where students can sit if they feel left out or need a friend. They will be able to join other kids and make friends, because maybe your future friend is sitting across the table from you.

A few weeks ago, I participated in the Connecticut Democracy Center’s Leadership Transition Meeting, where I met my Cabinet Members. I was a little nervous, but our platforms have a lot in common, so we got along really well! I’m glad I will have them by my side. 

Another thing we did at the Leadership Transition Meeting was meet with the 2025 Cabinet and Kid Governor, Keudy. He and I talked about becoming a Kid Governor and what my responsibilities would be. He also gave me some really good advice. 

It was exciting to see my office at Connecticut’s Old State House! It has pictures of all of the past Kid Governors. Now my picture is up there, too! My favorite part was the shelf with all of the recognitions Keudy received from state officials. I will feel very proud to receive citations from adults in elected office too!

I hope you all will follow my term this year and help include students no matter what they look like or sound like. If you have ideas to share with me or are making a difference in your community, you can email me at Tessa@CT.KidGovernor.org.

Remember to check this blog for updates and to be inclusive to everyone!

Theresa (Tessa) Hallinan

2026 Kid Governor

Green Acres Elementary School

North Haven