Candidate Profile: Darin Bershefsky​, Region 9 Board of Education

EASTON, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Easton and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Darin Bershefsky, 52, is running for election to the Region 9 Board of Education as a Republican.

Education.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Currently enrolled in a Master of Science in Health Administration with a Graduate Certificate in Global Health program at Oklahoma State University

What is your occupation?

Registered Nurse since 1991 - Lived and worked in CT, CA, RI, NY, and Sydney, Australia. Have been employed by Yale New Haven Children's Hospital since 2006. Worked for 1 year as a full-time faculty Health Occupations Teacher at Bunnell High School (Stratford, CT) from 2020-2021 school year. Currently working at Yale Children's Hospital as a Nursing Educator / Professional Development Specialist (since Oct 2021).

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

Married to wife, Jolanta Bershefsky, for nearly 15 years. She is originally from Brooklyn, New York, and is a graphic artist, employed as the Art Director for Dooney and Bourke. Two daughters in Easton schools...a 4th grader at Samuel Staples Elementary School and a 6th grader at Hellen Keller Middle School.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

No

Why are you seeking this office?

After working as a high school teacher, I feel that I have a unique perspective, both for the students and the faculty. If elected, I will be the only Board of Education member with experience teaching in a high school classroom. As a parent of two young children who will be entering high school in Region 9 within a few years, I hope to ensure that our school district provides them with the best possible education as they prepare for college. We moved to Easton for its fantastic schools.

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

Supporting our students to achieve their greatest potential is the most pressing issue facing our district. Region 9 has not regained academic losses suffered from the pandemic as quickly as neighboring districts. As a BOE member, I plan to work with the board, administration, and the community to ensure that Region 9 maintains a rigorous curriculum that supports academic excellence and student achievement.

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

If elected, I will be the only Board of Education member with experience teaching in a high school classroom. As a former member of the Connecticut Education Association, I have a thorough understanding of union contracts and the challenges both administration and teachers face with navigating and negotiating these contracts. Furthermore, I have more experience working with children and families than any of the other candidates. With more than 30 years of pediatric nursing experience, I have seen first-hand the effects of the many issues that our youth face every day.

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

If elected, I would like to ensure that our teachers have the training and tools they need to support children who are struggling with the stressors of school during this most important time of adolescent development. I would like to see evidence-based interventions and professional development training for teachers to become a top priority. In order to do this, the focus needs to be on supporting the district's strategic plan and school improvement plans and not on distracting topics like regionalization. Although I am open to learning more about the topic, the priority needs to be on our students, families, and teachers.

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

My combined pediatric medical background and experience as an educator makes me one of the most qualified candidates for this position. I have been a successful member of countless professional teams as a member and a leader. With clinical, leadership, non-profit, and educator experience, I have been successful in any position that I have held. I possess the background, experience, and ambition it takes to be part of this team; one that will ensure excellence in academics and an outstanding high school experience for my children and all of those in Region 9.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The best advice that I have received is that sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone and have faith in your own talents and abilities. I have used this advice with every new challenging position in my career and have never regretted taking the leap.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My resume is a mile long and I have been successful in anything that I have set my mind to, both personally and professionally. I am not afraid of new challenges, and I take pride in my strong moral code, ethics, and character. I am totally confident that, given the opportunity, I will become a valued and respected member of the Region 9 Board of Education.