Beverly Candidate Profile: Jeffrey C. Silva For School Committee

BEVERLY, MA — Beverly will have contested races for City Council in Wards three and five and a contested school committee race in Ward Four this fall. Beverly Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Jeffrey C. Silva, 50, is challenging incumbent John J. Mullady for Ward 4's seat on the Beverly School Committee. Silva is an Analytical Biochemist and is currently Director or Product Development at Adeptrix Corp.

Are you running for office in Beverly? Contact Dave Copeland at dave.copeland@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Peabody Patch.

Previously on Patch: Beverly Election 2019: Here's Who's Running

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

One of the most pressing issues facing our educational community is the need to balance the use of technology in our classrooms. Computers and smartphones in the classroom require thoughtful integration, in a controlled manner, to ensure they are effective tools to enhance learning and not detract from it. Policies need to be developed and evaluated to ensure there is a sensible balance of computer-facilitated teaching and teacher guided instruction. Technology should engage students and excite them to actively participate in the classroom, in a controlled and supervised manner. This is mandatory to improve the learning experience for students and avoid distraction in the classroom.

Another priority for our school system, is encouraging our students to have active engagement in their education. The success of our schools relies on the partnership of dedicated teachers and unfettered support of school administrators. The teachers are empowered to challenge their students and inspire them to achieve to the best of their ability, while the administrators have unwavering expectations for meeting quality standards. Both teachers and administrators should facilitate the active participation of students in their own learning and school community, teaching them the value of their own efforts in paving their future. With teachers and administrator working cooperatively, students will feel comfortable and learn to appreciate the opportunities that are available to them in their school system.

As a school committee member I will work with teachers, administrators and students to actively promote the collaborative partnership that is required to sustain a successful education system and help establish policies to manage the effective use of computer technology in the classroom.

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

I want to offer my experience, and my background in academia and industry, to help enhance education in Beverly and provide career guidance and inspiration to our students.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community?

I am running for school committee because I currently have three children in the Beverly School System, with my oldest son a 2018 BHS graduate. I feel that I can contribute by helping improve the quality of our school system.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

1. Responsible fiscal management to support a rich curriculum with diverse electives.

2. Inspire every student to invest in their education, with opportunities for professional training, to explore a wide range of disciplines and help discover their passion.

3. Empower teachers to challenge their students and improve their education system.

4. Encourage students to participate in sports, clubs, internship programs and/or volunteer efforts to help mature into productive members of the community.

5. Challenge students, teachers and administrators to collaborate in monitoring the success of our education system.

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

I have served as a leader for several biotechnology companies, helping build and manage productive teams to develop and commercialize new technologies and to provide specialized scientific services. My work has lead to approximately 10 US patents, 40 peer reviewed scientific publications, and the introduction of several new commercial products and tools for life science research.

I worked closely with educators and administrators as an instructor at Endicott College, teaching Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry to college students. My experiences with the Gloucester Marine Research Institute & Gloucester Biotechnology Academy allowed me to provide new opportunities for local high school graduates seeking a career path in biotechnology.

As an Advisory Board Member to the Life Sciences Consortium of the North Shore and to the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence at Maine Medical Center, I had the opportunity to work with administrators and educators to help build successful programs through both internal collaborations and outside commercial partnerships.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Success is created through cultivating productive collaborations.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Memorial Middle School (1982); Beverly High School (1986); Merrimack College (B.S., Chemistry/Biochemistry, 1990); Johns Hopkins University (M.S. & Ph.D., Chemistry/Biochemistry, 1996); Harvard Medical School (Post-Doctoral Study, 1998)

Boys Beverly Youth Lacrosse Coach (2013 - present); Boys Beverly High School Lacrosse Boosters (2017-present); Beverly Lacrosse Boosters Association, 501c3, Co-Founder (2018 - present)

Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, Biotechnology Academy, Education Advisory Council (2015 – Present); Life Sciences Consortium of the North Shore, Advisory Board (2012 – present); Maine Medical Center, Center of Biomedical Research Excellence, External Advisory Committee (2011 – 2016); Endicott College, Adjunct Professor (Organic Chemistry & Biochemistry, 2009 - 2011)

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Previously Published Beverly Candidate Profiles:

Candidates for reelection are marked with an asterisk (*).

City Council, Ward Three

Euplio "Rick" Marciano

Kris Silverstein

City Council, Ward 5

Don Martin *