Patch Candidate Profile: Jackie Bardenwerper, Board Of Education

FAIRFIELD, CT — Election Day is approaching fast, and a number of key positions in Fairfield will be on the ballot, including Board of Selectman, Board of Education, Board of Finance, RTM and others.

To help readers make an informed decision on Nov. 7, Fairfield Patch has reached out to local candidates to share their views on various topics of importance in town.

Patch will post these candidate profiles over the next few weeks, so check back often to see the latest.

Name

Jackie Bardenwerper

How old will you be as of Election Day?

40

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://www.fairfieldrtc.com/boe-candidates

What city or town do you live in?

Fairfield

What office are you seeking?

Fairfield Board of Education

Please give us your party affiliation.

Republican

Education.

Cornell University, B.S. Communication Cum Laude with Distinction in Research

What is your occupation?

Writer, 11 years, previously worked in marketing for 8 years

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

I have been married to my husband, Tad Bardenwerper, for 16 years and together we have three children. Our oldest, Cecilia, is a fifth grader at Sherman Elementary, our son Bo is a second grader at Sherman and our youngest Willa is in pre-k at St. Paul's Nursery School. She will start kindergarten in the fall of 2024

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I am running for the Fairfield Board of Education because a quality education has the power to change lives, including my own. My maternal grandparents, Andras and Elizabeth Repasi, fled the Hungarian Revolution in 1956 and settled in Fairfield. Here their two daughters achieved academic success because of the Fairfield Public Schools. Their story instilled in me a deep respect for public education, inspiring me to join Teach for America after college and to run for the Board of Education.

With two children at Sherman Elementary and another entering next year, I am committed to championing our neighborhood schools and ensuring every student has the opportunity to achieve academic success, all while feeling safe, secure, and valued.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is \_\_\_, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing education issue facing my constituents is the State of Connecticut’s racial imbalance mandate. This flawed and antiquated law continues to drain resources and move the focus from what really matters - improving educational outcomes for our students.

I am committed to solving this issue in a way that preserves our neighborhood schools and protects our children from damaging redistricting plans. I will do this by increasing communication with the State Board of Education, collaborating with the community, and working with Board members to develop a solution that is both sustainable and meaningful.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I believe my unique combination of education and communication experience separates me from other candidates. I have held leadership positions in the business world where I’ve managed budgets, employees, and large-scale projects. As a writer, I am well-versed in critical thinking, problem-solving, and communicating in a clear, transparent manner. Finally, my time teaching has given me first-hand knowledge of what happens in the classroom, while sparking a passion to help every child achieve success. In addition, my personal ties to Fairfield and three young children ensure I will remain invested in our schools and town for many years to come.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Other issues I want to address include supporting efforts to improve Fairfield’s math and literacy education, finding a long-term solution to the capacity problem affecting Fairfield’s Early Childhood Center, and increasing socio-emotional support across the district. In addition, I am interested in helping support the district attract and retain master teachers. I also want to ensure Fairfield invests its tax dollars responsibly and that every investment we make is done to best serve our children.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Past accomplishments that have prepared me for this position include receiving the Most Outstanding New Teacher of the Year Award from Winterfield Elementary for the success my students found in the classroom. In addition, leadership roles held throughout my marketing career have taught me how to manage projects, budgets, and people. Also, my writing career, which has spanned published research articles, blog articles, and novels, has taught me how to best communicate information to multiple audiences.

Yet my proudest accomplishment will always be my three children. Being their mother has shown me what really matters in our schools – keeping our children safe, preparing them for a future that best meets their individual needs, and making sure they feel secure, loved, and valued every day.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The best advice ever given to me came from a quote my father first introduced me to, and that my husband taped to his computer in college. Because I believe that for education to change lives, it must also teach grit and perseverance:

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “Press On!” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” – Calvin Coolidge