School Board - Three year term

Hello Derry! My name is Jen Theroux, and I am running for a 3 year term on the Derry School Board. I am currently serving a short term appointment following a resignation of a board member this past fall. I am excited to continue to contribute to the Derry School Board, and I am confident my skills and past experiences make me a valuable addition to the board. 

My husband and I have been homeowners in Derry for the past thirteen years. We have three young children that all attend, or will be attending, Derry Public Schools. I am a strong advocate for public education, and I am looking forward to balancing the needs of our students and teachers with the concerns of the Derry taxpayers to ensure that we have a school district that we all can be proud of. 

My past educational and professional experiences have provided me with a skill set that makes me a valuable asset to the Derry School Board. I have a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a Master of Social Work degree. I’m also a licensed independent clinical social worker in the State of NH. I have worked in higher education, community mental health, and inpatient medical settings. Most recently, I worked at Pinkerton Academy as a school social worker. Currently, I am a stay-at-home parent to my three young children. I have a vested interest in ensuring that the Derry School District is providing a high quality education to students and that the teachers in our district feel seen, supported and empowered. 

Moving forward, I feel strongly that the Derry School District needs to address facilities issues that have accumulated over the years by investing in a capital reserve fund. The district also needs to prioritize long term planning for curriculum by investing in programming that is evidence based, taught with fidelity throughout the district, and that prepares students well for national and state assessments while respecting the professionalism and autonomy of our district's teachers. I hope to play a part in improving the community and culture of the Derry Public Schools by being a voice to students and teachers in the district while balancing the real concerns of Derry's taxpayers. Thank you for reading this, and I hope to have your vote on March 11!