Board of Education Members

The Bethel Board of Education solicits constituent opinion in all forms. Please feel free to email the Board. Your email will be forwarded to all members at the next regular meeting.

email: [email protected]

If the above link does not work for you, simply type or copy the address into the "To" box of your email.

Please note: All members will receive a copy of your email as part of the public record. Due to State statutes, a response cannot be made until it is reviewed by the Board of Education at its regular meeting. A response, if one is necessary, will be made via U.S. mail.

The Bethel Board of Education holds its Meetings on Thursdays, once a month.


Board of Education Members

Scott ClaytonScott 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 LarsenJen 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 ReedBrenda 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 FosterBill 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. 

Gabriela HernandezGabriela 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.

 

Lauren ShekariLauren 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

Rick Magee


Rick Magee has been a Bethel resident for over two decades. Professionally, he is an award-winning English Professor at Sacred Heart University, where he has earned two teaching awards and authored two books alongside over a hundred published articles. Rick holds a BA in English from UC Berkeley, an MA in English from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and a PhD in English from Fordham University. Deeply involved in the local arts, he previously served as Bethel's Poet Laureate from 2022 to 2025. In his free time, Rick enjoys playing guitar, walking in the woods, and cycling across western Connecticut. He and his wife, Rebecca—who is also an English professor—have a son who attends Bethel Public Schools.