Patch Candidate Profile: Erin Pinsince, Milford Board of Education

MILFORD, CT — As the 2023 municipal elections get closer in Milford, there are plenty of races with candidates who are eager to serve in elected office.

Milford Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will publish candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Erin Pinsince, 41, is running for a seat on the Board of Education in Milford as a Democratic candidate to represent the 1st District.

Education

I have a BS in Biology and Secondary Education Certification from Southern Connecticut State University

What is your occupation?

I have been a science educator for over 15 years and in education for two decades. In 2022, I left a teaching career at Lauralton Hall in Milford and now am the Learning Experience Manager for BioLaunch- a bioscience job training program for adults through the Connecticut Center for Arts & Technology (ConnCAT). I work with our partner biotech and biopharma companies to identify desirable skills for an entry level biotechnician. Based on these skills, I develop standards and key performance indicators as well as design learning opportunities for our cohort members. It is important to teach skills that employers are seeking, not just the technical skills, but also the professional and soft skills needed to succeed in industry.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Yes, I have a beautiful blended family. My husband and I met when our kids were both six years old. Now, my son and step daughter are both 14 and freshmen at Foran High School. We have tight-knit immediate and extended families as well, some of whom are also in Milford. My parents still reside in the home in which they raised me and my brother, near West Shore. Our family matriarch, my grandmother, lives with them as well. My brother, his wife and three children live near John F. Kennedy Elementary School. We all love this city and have put down roots here.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Yes, I was elected to the Board of Education in the 3rd district in 2017.

Why are you seeking this office?

My passion is equity in education. Commitment to success for all individuals begins with just and progressive education policies, strong leadership, and effective, efficient use of resources.

Being a BoE member enables me to affect change that benefits all students and the city. During my time on the BoE, our Board implemented progressive new policies that embody a growth mindset. We led district-wide evolution toward equity, inclusion and digital learning, improved resource tracking and value determination processes, helped manage the city education budget, and oversaw a leadership change. I also served as liaison to the Milford Education Foundation (MEF) that awards mini-grants to qualified teacher and student projects.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is a tax base that is shifting toward residents. I intend to keep Milford Public Schools a top reason people want to move to Milford, which will draw economic growth, alleviating the tax burden on residents.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am an educator and have already served on the Board of Education for our community. The BoE needs experienced educators who understand curriculum design, teaching best practices, effective assessment strategies, social and emotional development, as well as the value of fine arts, music and extracurricular programs. I have this knowledge and over 15 years of leadership in this field.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

College and career readiness are of the utmost importance. MPS has welcomed community participation in open forums where business leaders, educators and students discuss the technical, professional and soft skills employers seek. Consideration must be given to how these skills will change with the evolution of industrial tech, job markets, and global reach. I am asking constituents for feedback- do they feel the youth in Milford is getting the necessary skills to be successful?

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

The following are examples of evidence that I am a leader in the education field. During my career as an educator, I have:

• Designed and led professional development modules on the evolution of 21st century learning and digital era skill building across disciplines
• Trained on pedagogy, teaching best practices, learning styles, and assessment strategies
• Spearheaded organizational change while implementing flipped and mastery classroom pedagogies, block schedule transition, as well as best practice training in response to fully remote learning during the pandemic
• Matched outdated curriculum to new national and state standards
• Created curriculum, in-class activities and E-learning materials
• Designed blended learning modules and education aids
• Differentiated content to support virtual learning and various learning differences
• Participated as a founding member of a Retention Committee, lowering attrition rate
• Co-authored a STEM Initiative grant proposal to develop skills earlier, individualize course experience, and prepare students for field practice through community outreach experiences, shadowing opportunities, and internships.
• Led a team (Standard 6) on a NEASC Accreditation Committee
• Helped hire a new Head of School while on the External Search Committee
• The following are examples of evidence I served the Board of Education effectively. While I was a member, the Board:
• Led district-wide evolution toward equity, inclusion and digital learning
• Established full-day preschool and kindergarten programs, making play-based learning standard
• Promoted earlier first exposure to foreign languages from 9th grade to 6th grade
• Prioritized tracking of resource value and ROI
• Oversaw strategic financial planning of an 11-school public school system for the city of Milford, CT
• Improved resource tracking and value determination processes
• Hired and transitioned new Superintendent of Milford Public Schools
• Evaluated Superintendent performance
• Actively served as liaison to the Milford Education Foundation that has distributed over $50K in grants to educators
• Implemented progressive new policies that embody a growth mindset
• Continued town participation in and made updates to important programs
• Built positive and lasting relationships with members of this and other city boards as well as community members from both political parties

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

No one will hear you if you don’t speak up. Get to the polls and vote on November 7th and have your voice heard!

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a life-long Milford resident, born at Milford Hospital in 1982. I attended Kay Avenue, then West Shore Middle School, and graduated from Jonathan Law High School. I am a product of the Milford Public School system and am wholeheartedly grateful for my experience as a child and adolescent in this city.

After college, I began my career as a paraprofessional working with students with special needs. Later, while teaching science at Lauralton Hall, I found purpose in advocating for women in STEM fields. Today, I work to empower underemployed and underserved Connecticut community members through job training.

My position is simple- an excellent school system is at the heart of a thriving city. College and career readiness metrics are changing as new technology drives industrial evolution. We need to make sure that Milford students are getting the tools they need to be successful. If our schools prepare students well, our city will continue to draw new families to our community.

Does your campaign have a website?

milfordctdems.com.