My name is Anamika Bhatnagar, and I’ve lived in Croton for more than twenty years. (My first name rhymes with “harmonica,” and you don’t have to worry about my last name because I’m the only “Anamika” in town.) 

Like many of our neighbors, my husband, Dennis Willette, and I were drawn to Croton by its natural beauty, its sense of community, and its strong public schools. Both our children attended CET starting in kindergarten; our daughter, Meena, is now in 11th grade at CHHS, and our son, Nik, is in 8th at PVC. Our five-year-old Siberian husky, Athena, is not in school but probably should be. 

I was born in Washington, DC, and grew up in Northern Virginia. After graduating from Yale University with a B.A. in English Literature and International Studies, I moved to New York City to pursue a career in children’s publishing. During my twenty years at Scholastic, I edited and published a number of award-winning titles and national bestsellers. I saw firsthand the impact of getting books into the hands of kids by making them affordable and accessible. I started my own editorial consulting business in 2018, and I'm currently developing a supplementary reading program at Benchmark Education, in a role that brings together my passions for literacy, inclusivity, and advocacy.

I was elected to the school board in May 2023, and I'm now in my third year of service, and my first year as Board Vice President. I’m also an active PTA participant, a Croton Garden Club digger and planter, a Croton Free Library Book & Bake Sale volunteer, and a co-founder of Croton Folks Who Craft.