Darien DTC nominates Joanna Walsh & Michael Balzano as candidates for the Board of Education

The Democratic Town Committee is pleased to announce the nominations of Joanna Walsh and Michael Balzano as candidates for Darien’s Board of Education.

Rob Richards, Darien DTC Chair, said of the nominations: “The Darien DTC is excited and honored to endorse Joanna Walsh and Michael Balzano for Darien’s Board of Education. Joanna brings years of experience as a volunteer in and around the Darien Public Schools and Michael is a public school educator with a deep understanding of curriculum and instruction. Our school district is facing great challenges as it struggles to meet the needs of every student under tighter and tighter budget constrictions. Driven by a belief that every child matters and that the district must meet the needs of each student where they are, they represent the best that Darien has to offer and Darien is fortunate that they have chosen to run for the Board of Education.”

Joanna and Michael are both seeking their first term on the Board of Education. Joanna has been very engaged in the Board’s work and the issues facing our district as a Co-Chair of the Council of Darien School Parents (CDSP) for the past three years. In that capacity she has worked closely with the Board, the Administration, and parents. In recent years, Michael returned to school to obtain a Masters Degree in Educational Instruction and Curriculum and became a public school educator.

Joanna is a graduate of Wesleyan University with a degree in Sociology. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, she worked in marketing and communications at the educational company Kaplan, Inc. Since starting a family, Joanna has spent her time focused on volunteer work, primarily at her kids’ schools. She began volunteering as soon as her eldest entered preschool in New York City, and continued once her family relocated to Darien. She served three years on the Hindley PTO board, culminating in the co-chair role during COVID, where she and her partner worked creatively to deliver the programming and enrichment town PTOs usually provide despite the circumstances. CDSP then recruited Joanna to lead the organization as co-chair, which she has done for the past three years.

Joanna graduated from Lyme-Old Lyme High School in Old Lyme, CT, and returned to the state ten years ago when she and her husband, Matt, moved to Darien with their three children. Everett is a rising 11th grader at DHS, and Tessa is a rising 8th grader at MMS. Their youngest, Simon, is entering the 5th grade.

About her run for the Board of Education, Joanna said: “As co-chair of the Council of Darien School Parents for the last three years, I’ve watched Board of Education members discuss and debate Darien Public Schools’ issues. I’ve spent a lot of time talking to parents, teachers and administrators, and advocated for families in my volunteer position through public comment, meetings with individuals, and collaboration with the PTOs of all seven schools in the district. Yet, there is still so much work to be done to bring the focus back to our children. It’s clear to me that the best way to effect change is to sit at the table.”

Michael Balzano is a public school educator and Darien resident who is deeply committed to ensuring the best possible educational experience for every child in our community.

It was after becoming a father for the first time, that Michael chose to pursue a career in education. With the support of his wife Adriana, he took on the role of primary caregiver during the day while juggling full-time work and class schedules at night and on weekends. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in History from Fordham University followed by a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Connecticut.

Originally from the Bronx, Michael and Adriana recently chose to put down roots in Darien, where their two children, Gavin and Scarlett attend Darien public school. It is a community they now proudly call home.

Having been raised in a close-knit town bursting with diverse opinions, Michael understands that the measure of a community is not found in its political leanings but in the respect shared between its neighbors and the value it places on its youth. Since settling down in Darien, Michael has been lucky enough to experience these values first-hand, working with other parents to coach Darien Little League Baseball and Basketball at the Darien YMCA while also supporting the local Cub Scouts of Pack 161.

About his run for the Board of Education, Michael said: “Darien schools should be a shining example in addressing the diverse needs of all our students. I see service on the Board of Education as a way to ensure our schools meet those expectations while also giving back to our community that I care so deeply about.”

Joanna and Michael are the right candidates for the Board of Education. They are running because there are 4,563 students enrolled in the Darien Public Schools and every one of them matters.

For more information, please visit

www.joannaandmichaelforboe.com