BethelPublic Schools

Board of Education Members

Scott Clayton

Scott Clayton is a lifelong Bethel resident and a graduate of Bethel Public Schools. He has served on the Board of Education since 2010. Scott holds a BA in History from Western Connecticut State University, an MS in Secondary Education from the University of Bridgeport, and a Sixth Year Certificate in Educational Leadership from Sacred Heart University. Additionally, he earned his CT Superintendent’s certification from Central CT State University. A graduate of the United States Army Non-Commissioned Officer’s Academy and an honorably discharged veteran of the CT Army National Guard, Scott remains active in the community through the Scotty Fund and Bethel Youth Soccer. He and his wife, Caryn, have four children and are members of St. Mary’s parish.

Jen Larsen

Jen Larsen is a long-serving member of the Board of Education, having also served as Secretary. A Bethel resident for over three decades, Jen is the mother of three Bethel Public Schools graduates who attended the district for their entire K-12 careers. Professionally, she is a Preschool Special Education Teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience. Her extensive education includes degrees from Northern Arizona State University, Charter Oak State College, and the University of Saint Joseph, as well as a Sixth Year Degree in Technology Leadership from the Dominican University of California. Jen and her husband, Stu, are active in the community; she previously served as PTO president for the Berry, Johnson, Middle, and High Schools.

Brenda Reed

Brenda Reed joined the Board of Education after a distinguished 25-year teaching career, specializing in general and special education. Since moving to Bethel to be closer to her family, Brenda has served as a substitute teacher for Bethel Public Schools and a volunteer at Rockwell Elementary. In addition to her board service, she assists her daughter’s family in managing the Greenwood Features theater, where she coordinates school field trips and non-profit fundraisers.

Bill Foster

Bill Foster is a 50-year resident of Bethel, currently serving his second elected term on the Board of Education, having previously served in the 1980s and 90s. Bill earned his BA and MBA from the University of Connecticut and the University of Hartford. A Vietnam-era veteran, he served as a helicopter pilot after receiving his Army officer commission through UConn's ROTC program. He later transitioned to the airline industry and retired from American Airlines. Bill and his wife, Sam, have three adult children who all attended Bethel Public Schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade.

Kara DiBartolo

Kara DiBartolo is the Director of Teaching and Learning and the Supervisor of Preschool for Newtown Public Schools. Her career in education began as a special education teacher, followed by a role as a literacy coach in Bethel and administrative positions in Easton and Sherman. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Kara moved to Bethel in 2016 with her husband, Dave. They have two children, Drew and Nolan, and the family is active in local youth baseball and basketball. Beyond her professional work, Kara values strong connections between schools and families and is a loyal supporter of the UConn Huskies.

Gabriela Hernandez

Gabriela Hernandez is an Educational Coach and Consultant with nearly 20 years of experience in creating inclusive learning environments. A bilingual educator born in El Salvador, she holds a Master’s degree in early childhood education from Lesley University and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Fairfield University. Gabriela and her spouse have enjoyed Bethel’s small-town life since moving to the community in 2018. She has contributed locally by serving as Vice-Chair of the Sustainable Bethel Commission and as a volunteer and Secretary for the Bethel Community Food Pantry.

Jane M. Gangi, PhD

Dr. Jane M. Gangi is a semi-retired professor of education at Mount Saint Mary College and has lived in Bethel for 38 years. An expert in literacy and children’s literature, she is the author of several books, including Encountering Children’s Literature and Genocide in Contemporary Children’s and Young Adult Literature. Dr. Gangi also teaches an honors course on Genocide in Literature and Art and recently co-authored a biography of Nobel Prize-winner Katalin Karikó.

Lauren Shekari

Lauren Shekari is the Director of Subsidiary Rights at Other Press and has worked in book publishing for over 20 years. She holds a BA from Hunter College and a certificate in Intellectual Property Licensing and Contracts from NYU. Lauren and her husband have lived in Bethel for over a decade and have two children currently attending Bethel Public Schools who are active in local sports, dance, and music. She is deeply involved in the community, serving on the board of the Special Education Parent Advisory Team (SEPAT) and as an active member of the Rockwell and Johnson PTOs.

Courtney Martin