"'Easthampton' and 'home' have always been synonymous."
I grew up just a few blocks from Nonotuck Park -- an incredible backdrop to childhood, in hindsight. It gave me the chance to play and be curious in a natural environment, and inspired a lifelong love of both.
I didn't get the privilege of learning in the modern school buildings Easthampton has now, but I had no shortage of teachers who challenged, encouraged, and supported me. Our public schools were my first glimpse of what it's like to be part of a community.
Then there was the Library, which changed my life. I owe so much to the opportunities I've found there -- both as a teen, and now as a professional. The Library is where I learned what it means to serve my community.
Jonathan's Story
Early Years
My family moved to Easthampton when I was less than one year old. I attended Pepin Elementary, White Brook Middle School, and Easthampton High, excelling at every level. In my free time, I grew up playing basketball, practicing martial arts, riding my bike around the neighborhood with friends, and developing a lifelong love for gaming.
In high school I discovered a passion for theater and performed in many EHS productions. I was a member of the National Honor Society, and I represented Easthampton on the academic quiz show 'As Schools Match Wits'. I also volunteered for years at the public library, and eventually I was hired as a teen employee to work evenings and weekends.
Education
I attended a semester at Holyoke Community College during my senior year of high school, before eventually heading off to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute after graduating. The death of my father upended my plans, however, and my sophomore year of college would come to be defined by the grief of losing of multiple loved ones. Looking for new direction, I found my way back to HCC, taking night classes to earn a 2-year degree while working full time. This gave me the opportunity to reflect on my goals, and I realized the time I had most enjoyed working had been at the Library -- so I set my sights on becoming a librarian myself.
First, I transfered to UMass Amherst where I studied Communication, focusing particularly on the influence of media and advertising on our day-to-day lives. I look back on this time as critical to my growth as an effective and engaged citizen of my community, laying the groundwork for everything else I would go on to achieve. Despite taking such a circuitous route to get there, I was eventually able to graduate with a Master's degree in Library & Information Science from Simmons College in 2014.
Professional Life
Shortly before graduating, a position opened up to run the youth department at our local public library. It seemed like a perfect fit -- so much of my experience working in the Library had been centered around programming for kids, and I took almost every class I could to build upon my understanding of youth and teen librarianship. I decided to apply for the position, and I was chosen to lead a part of the Library that had meant so much to me during my own childhood.
I would go on to lead the department for five years, which were filled with big changes for the Library. Three new directors were hired during this time, and there was significant turnover among the Library's trustees. These changes were for the best in the long run, but it was a tumultuous period for the organization. I provided stable leadership throughout, all while continuing to modernize and expand our services for kids and teens.
In August of 2018, I made the difficult decision to step back from my leadership role at the Library. By then I had already begun serving as an elected official (see 'Political Experience' below). There was also growing interest in my signature library program (running tabletop roleplaying games for kids and teens) after I presented on the topic at a conference of my peers. I wanted to bring these programs to other libraries and community venues, and I started a micro business doing just that at the beginning of 2019. Since then I have had the privilege of teaching youth to play and run their own games at locations across Western and Central MA.
Most days, you'll still find me providing high quality, professional service at the Library -- just in a different capacity. I still run a variety of popular programs, contribute to collection development, and help folks connect with resources to meet their needs. I have grown into so much more, but I am still a librarian at heart. Providing free and open access to information is as important as ever, and I take great pride in creating a space that is welcoming and engaging for the youth of Easthampton -- where they feel safe exploring and expressing their individuality, and where they can connect with their community just like I did all those years ago.
Political Experience
My first foray into local politics began in 2017, motivated by the presidential election the year prior. I joined the Easthampton Democratic Committee, and I was elected for the first time to serve as a delegate to the MA Dems' state convention, contributing to efforts to revise the party's platform. I volunteered for the campaign to build Mountain View School. And that summer, I made the decision to run for School Committee.
My position at the Library had given me a unique opportunity to connect with all sorts of school stakeholders -- from students and parents to teachers and administrators -- and I believed I could contribute meaningfully to the work that needed to be done. Easthampton agreed, and I was elected to the first of two terms that I served on the School Committee.
My tenure coincided with the district's memorandum of understanding with the AG's office to address systemic racism and unconscious bias in our schools. It was a privilege to be a part of this social justice work, and to internalize the lessons being learned by the district as a whole. The Committee also hired a new superintendent around this time, and we saw the ground breaking of the new school building project. My duties also included overseeing the district's budget as part of the finance subcommittee, and I served as liaison to multiple Boards of Directors. While much of this work continued during my second term, those years would come to be defined by the beginning and height of the pandemic -- an experience unlike any other, which tested my communication, taught me to be a better leader, and solidified my commitment to public service.
As the pandemic wore on, I found myself involved with new projects that put increasing strain on my schedule. I opted not to run for reelection in 2021, but my commitment and involvement within the city never wavered. I have continued to serve as an officer of the Easthampton Democratic Committee, as well as on the Board of E.Media (Easthampton's community media center). You will regularly find me at community events, shopping local businesses, and enjoying the natural spaces Easthampton has to offer.
My story doesn't end here, though, and I want to return to local government to support the city that I love. I believe my combined experiences, as well as my calm and collaborative nature, make me an ideal candidate for City Council. I hope you agree, and that you'll vote for me on November 4th, so that I may take this new step in my ongoing commitment to serving Easthampton.