We-Ha.com is offering our readers the opportunity to meet the candidates running in the Nov. 5, 2019, municipal election. 

Compiled by Ronni Newton

We-Ha.com is offering our readers the opportunity to “Meet the Candidate” – designed to help them get to know the candidates running for office in the 2019 municipal election.

Identical questionnaires have been sent to all candidates, and each profile received has been submitted directly to We-Ha.com by the candidate or the candidate’s campaign management. The responses have not been edited but have been formatted to match our publication style. Questions left blank have been deleted.

As profiles are received, they will be published on We-Ha.com under the “Government” tab. We-Ha.com is not making endorsements of any political candidates but we are publishing this information in order to assist voters in being informed and prepared when they go to the polls on Nov. 5.

If you are a candidate and wish to submit a profile, please return it by email to Ronni Newton at [email protected] as soon as possible.

Name: Sean Passan   

Age: 38

Party, position seeking: Democrat, Board of Education

Family Information: Sean resides in West Hartford with his wife Julie and their four year old daughter Cora.  

Sean Passan Brief Bio: A veteran teacher and athletic coach, Sean Passan brings two decades of experience working with students of all backgrounds and abilities. Sean began his teaching career at Hall High School, before moving to California and teaching at a top-ranked charter school in Pacific Palisades for more than 10 years. He returned to his home state in 2017, in large part because he believes Connecticut – and West Hartford specifically – is a great place to raise a family. He is currently a teacher with Granby Public Schools.  

In addition to his experience in the classroom, Sean is an experienced coach who has led athletic teams to regional, city, and state championships. While in California, he also started a video production elective from scratch based on student demand, and the program went on to earn national recognition. Each of these experiences has helped Sean develop a student-first mentality, and allow him to understand the educational experience from multiple perspectives.  Now, as the parent of a young child enrolled in West Hartford Public Schools, Sean has an even more nuanced perspective on education.

Why are you running for office? I believe that there should be an experienced educator on West Hartford’s Board of Education. I have worked with K-12 students for over two decades, including for WHPS, and like many other teachers I wear multiple hats throughout the day. When challenges arise I can engage in collaborative problem solving with my fellow board members as a multi-sport coach, as a veteran teacher, and most importantly as a concerned parent.  

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