Meet the Candidate: Jack Powell for Canton Board of Education

Democrat Jack Powell is running for the Canton Board of Education.

Education

I earned a B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy from William Jewell College; and an M.A. and Ph.D. in General Experimental Psychology from University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Work experience

I have worked the past 25 years at the University of Hartford where I am currently a Professor and Co-Chair of the Department of Psychology.

Why are you seeking office?

I am running for the Board of Education for two main reasons.

First, I feel as if I can bring some valuable experience and a different perspective to the Board as a result of my many years working in higher education.

Second, I want to give back to the school and to the community to which my family and I owe so much. I am very happy with the education my children have received in Canton schools and I am well aware of the fact that this has only been possible through the hard work and dedication of many individuals, including those on the Board of Education. I have always sought to volunteer when able, and this is one more area where I feel like I can, should, and would like to contribute.

What experience do you bring to the table?

I believe that I would bring both personal and professional experience were I to serve as a member on the Board of Education. 

Personally, I have been involved with Canton schools for the past 15 years—the entire time my four children have been attending school. I have been a frequent volunteer in numerous activities during this time, from coaching softball, baseball, basketball, and soccer; to working with the Canton Parents for Music; to volunteering in my children’s classrooms. I think I have learned a great deal about Canton Schools simply through my involvement in the everyday activities that go on there.

Professionally, I have spent my career in higher education and work daily with educational issues. I have also spent much of that career in administrative and leadership positions, so I am familiar with issues dealing with personnel, curriculum, pedagogy, technology, budgets, and student and faculty assessment. My research and teaching has often focused on program evaluation, statistics, decision making, social psychology, and numerous other topics that are relevant to issues addressed by the Board of Education.

What do you feel is the town's most pressing issue?

I have attended several Board of Education meetings over the past few months, and have been very struck by how many “pressing issues” there are and how conscientiously the Board has been in addressing those issues. These include new curriculum, standards, and testing; athletic fields; advancing technology; school safety and security; and a host of other important topics. I am not sure that any of these jump out at me as the most pressing issue; and I do not know of any issues about which the Board is not aware. The issue, if you can call it that, on which I would like to focus, is how to prioritize these important topics and address them in a financially responsible way. We cannot have everything and do everything; but we can be wise in how we prioritize them and discerning in how we budget for them. 

What do you love most about town?

It is very difficult to name just one thing that I love most about Canton. My wife and I moved to town 24 years ago, and immediately fell in love with its beauty, small size, and yes, its schools. But the one thing that I love the most would have to be the wonderful people our family has met and with whom we have become friends over the years.

What do you like to do for fun?

My favorite activity is watching my kids participate in sports, concerts, school plays and any other activities in which they are involved. With whatever leisure time is left over, I enjoy playing my trumpet with the Farmington Valley Band.

How can residents keep up with you? 

The quickest and easiest way to keep up with me is through email. My email address is jpowell@hartford.edu. I would love to hear from you.