Meet Jenn Cecarelli: Democratic Candidate for Board of Education

Jennifer Cecarelli has been a North Haven resident and education professional for almost 30 years. Jennifer currently serves on the North Haven Board of Education, and is excited about the possibility of serving a second term! She is married to Rich, a lifelong resident, and her spouse of over 25 years. They have two teenage children, Charlotte and Andrew. Charlotte is a proud graduate of the North Haven Public Schools, and attends the University of Pennsylvania, where she is a member of the band, the Student Nurse Association, and a volunteer in the NICU at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Andy currently attends North Haven High School, where he is an active member of the music department, the fencing team, and the Interact club.

Jennifer has been active in the field of education for over 25 years. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Connecticut, and she went on to Southern Connecticut State University to pursue a master’s degree in Elementary Education, and a post-master’s degree in the Foundations of Education. Jennifer completed both of her graduate degrees while working full time, and earned a 4.0 GPA.

Jennifer is a passionate educator who began her career teaching at the Knight Hall School in West Hartford, and then served as the Assistant Director of the YLS (Yale Law School) Early Learning Center for 4 years, before accepting an elementary teaching position in Middletown, where she has been teaching for 22 years. Jennifer achieved certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and has been recognized as an outstanding educator in Middletown, where she also serves as an Equity Coach. Jennifer is also the author of Moving Forward With Backward Parenting: A Goals Workbook for Families Raising Children.

As a North Haven Board of Education member, Jennifer has supported families, teachers, and students through her collaboration with fellow Board members, and the NHPS administration. She has served on the Board’s Finance Committee, been a Board representative on the PTA Council, served on various hiring committees, and worked on teacher contract negotiations.

Jennifer Cecarelli has a proven track record of supporting stakeholders from the perspectives of parent, teacher, and taxpayer, and has made outstanding education her life’s work. This passion for educational excellence that serves all families is why Jennifer is seeking re-election.

Jennifer’s Top 3 Initiatives in her second term would be: 1) To continue to improve communication among all educational stakeholders: the Board, North Haven residents and families, teachers, and administrators. 2) To ensure educational equity among all students, 3) To continue to provide an outstanding educational experience for all students at a reasonable cost to taxpayers.

Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, and volunteering. This summer, she created a Free Little Library for her neighbors, worked with refugee teens through IRIS, went on a Random Acts of Kindness blitz for her 50th birthday, and did lots of reading on the subjects of environmental sustainability and racial equity.

Check out Jennifer's New Haven Register candidate profile here.

Endorsements:

A Tireless Advocate, Michele O'Connell
A Genuine Concern, Dorothy Logan
Professional, Intelligent and Hardworking, Amanda Gabriele

DeLauro backs Cecarelli in North Haven - New Haven Register, October 26, 2019

Learn more about all of the Democratic candidates running for North Haven offices.