About Kristen
Kristen Zapata has built her life around service, care, and advocacy – qualities that she now brings to her candidacy for the Stratford Board of Education. A registered nurse at Yale New Haven Hospital, she is used to balancing high-pressure responsibilities with compassion and clear communication. She believes these same skills are essential to serving Stratford’s families and ensuring every child receives the education they deserve.
Kristen’s journey into advocacy began close to home. In 2019, when her son Noel was diagnosed with autism, she learned firsthand how essential strong special education services are for student success. Experiencing the challenges and triumphs of navigating supports deepened her commitment to ensuring all students and their caregivers, especially those with IEPs and 504 plans, have the resources they need. That commitment only grew as she witnessed budget cuts impacting teachers, administrators, and families throughout Stratford.
Since 2022, Kristen has been an active volunteer and leader at Johnson House Elementary School, where her two children, Noel and Emilia, are enrolled. She has served as PTSA Secretary, chaired the Kindness Closet to support families in need, and organized school uniform swaps to ease costs for parents. She has also chaired the Booster Fun Run and Scholastic Book Fair, efforts that raised funds and strengthened connections between families, teachers, and the school community.
In 2023, Kristen testified before the Town Council to oppose proposed education budget cuts, speaking up on behalf of Stratford’s students. And in August 2025, she was elected as the Vice Chair of Stratford’s newly formed Special Education PTA (SEPTA). She believes that strong outreach and connection through SEPTA and other family networks is not only essential for special education but for all Stratford families.
A proud Stratford resident for 15 years, she and her husband Benjy – a Stratford High School graduate and CDL truck driver – were married in Boothe Memorial Park’s Rose Garden, where they often return with their children. For Kristen, Stratford is not just where she lives, but where her family has planted deep roots and built a future.
Her priorities as a Board of Education member will be clear: strengthen special education resources, ensure equity across all neighborhoods, and protect the quality of education despite fiscal pressures. Kristen believes in collaborative problem-solving, listening to families, and putting students first.
“I know the challenges parents face because I’ve lived them. Every child deserves the resources, support, and opportunities to succeed. On the Board of Education, I will always be a voice for families and a partner for our schools.”
