I am grateful for all that Bernards Township has done for me and I look forward to the opportunity to pay it forward by ensuring that our schools continue to provide the exceptional, well-rounded education that has long been the hallmark of Bernards Township. Our children deserve nothing less than our very best efforts and I am ready to contribute mine.
As the current General Counsel at Awesome (parent company of SmugMug and Flickr), and former Managing Attorney and Head of Global Innovation and IP Strategy at Dun & Bradstreet, as well as former Head of Legal for Dun & Bradstreet - India, I bring deep expertise in areas essential to strong and effective board governance: Fiscal Oversight, Policy Development, Strategic Planning, and Collaborative Leadership.
I have a deep connection to Bernards Township Schools. I grew up in these schools, attended Cedar Hill Elementary, William Annin Middle School, and finally graduated from Ridge High School. In 2016, my husband and I decided to make our home in Basking Ridge and today I am a proud parent of two elementary school aged daughters - Ananya is a kindergartener and Heera is a first grader at Liberty Corner Elementary School.
My desire to serve on the BOE stems from a simple truth: I believe in giving back to the community that shaped me. Both as an alumna and a parent (whose parents also live in Basking Ridge), I have a unique perspective on our district's strengths and the challenges we face. I understand what makes our schools special, and I am committed to preserving that excellence while navigating today's fiscal realities.
SMRITHI MOHAN
about us
"Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom.
I loved this story between a student and his professor. It's full of timeless wisdom on love, purpose, and what really matters in life. It's a gentle but powerful reminder to slow down and reflect, and can be especially timely when students are just beginning to shape their path forward. I still remember the first time I read it, and it left a lasting impression on me and helped form the way I see the world today.
Candidate Q & A
what's one book every student should read before graduating?
what's one book every student should read before graduating?
Candidate Q & A
Candidate Q & A
how would your friends and family describe you using just a few words?
How would your friends and family describe you in a few words?
I decided to ask some of them directly and these are the most common answers I received:
I decided to ask them directly and these are the most common answers I received:
how would your Kids describe you?
Heera: Amazing. Awesome. Playful.
Ananya: Nice. Caring. The Best Cook.
Heera: Amazing. Awesome. Playful
How would your kids describe You?
Ananya: Nice. Caring.
The Best Cook.
Creative.
Innovative. Compassionate.
Intelligent. Driven.
Creative. Innovative. Compassionate. Intelligent. Driven. Resilient.
I'm from Basking Ridge. which is clearly North Jersey, and honestly, nope, Central Jersey isn't a thing. You're either North Jersey or South Jersey. Pick a side! You root for either New York sports teams or Philly sports teams, right? When I lived in Ocean Township for a short time in my childhood, I just counted it as South Jersey. Easy!
central Jersey - yes or no?
Candidate Q & A
I am running for the Bernards Township Board of Education because I care deeply about the future of our public schools. I have been a resident of Bernards Township for almost three years and my son Zachary is a third grader at Cedar Hill School. As the son and grandson of New Jersey public school teachers and the proud product of New Jersey public schools myself, I know that our schools are the heart of our community and that they deserve leaders who are committed to protecting and strengthening them.
Watching my son grow, learn, and thrive in this district has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It has also opened my eyes to the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead. Our district, like many others, will have to make some difficult decisions in the coming years due to ongoing budget challenges. We need to be committed to finding creative solutions to ensure that our students have the resources they need, our teachers are supported and our facilities are maintained and improved. We need to do this while ensuring that taxpayer money is allocated responsibly.
As an attorney, I have negotiated many contracts for municipalities, giving me an intimate understanding of local government and regulations. My professional experience would be an asset to the BOE as many of the members' responsibilities are what I do every day. Board members need to listen to all voices - parents, students and teachers - and work with each other to ensure that every dollar in our education budget is spent wisely - all while keeping the best interest of our students in mind.
Adam lefkowitz
I believe in the power of our schools to shape the future - not just for individual students, but for our entire community. Let's work together to ensure all of the students in Bernards Township get the excellent education they deserve.
There are so many good books out there that teach valuable lessons it is hard to choose just one. As young people prepare to leave home and start making their way in the world we must remind them that no one has ever left their parents' home knowing everything they need to know in order to succeed in the world.
Read "The Old Man and The Sea", by Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway has a beautiful writing style in which he is able to convey depth and meaning while using as few words as possible. The book teaches perseverance in the face of adversity, respect for your rivals, faith in yourself, and that if the day knocks you down -then you should get up and try again tomorrow!
what's one book every student should read before graduating?
Candidate Q & A
Growing up in Edison in the pre-internet days I had to adjust the rabbit ears on my parents' TV set to get good reception. I remember New Jersey being divided along team affiliations. If your TV received signals from New York City, then you watched and were a loyal NY Giants fan. If your TV received signals from Philly, then you were an Eagles fan. At least thats how I, as a child, understood it.
central Jersey: yes or no?
Candidate Q & A
When you were going into "The City" you either were referring to Manhattan or to Philadelphia.
Sorry, folks, but Central Jersey is a modern day fiction.
