Meet the Teachers: New Faces of BPS

Branford Schools estimate 3,232 students will walk through the doors on the first day of school tomorrow (see projected 2012-13 enrollment by school below). To greet them will be 23 new teachers (staff) throughout the various schools.

Three new teachers are products of the Branford school system and many teachers have relocated to Branford upon accepting their new jobs.

On August 15, the accepted the appointments of these teachers and welcomed them to the school system.

“On behalf of the administration, I want to welcome you to Branford and wish you the very, very best of luck and know that we have very high expectations of you,” he said.  “Know that your students, who are not here, the have the most unstated high expectations. They expect the very best.” 

Board of Education Chair Frank Carrano added, “We have confidence in your ability to carry out mission of Branford School District. You are the vehicle that makes that happen. The rubber hits the road in your classrooms.” 

“Welcome, do your best…” said Hernandez to the bright-eyed group before they reported to their first day. “The year will be a whirlwind but will be very, very exciting.” 

You can watch the new hires meet the BOE.

Know a new hire, leave a comment below.

2012-13 Project Enrollment

Total: 3,232

28

John B. Sliney Pre-K: 13

1,036

992

362

 354

400

88

2012 New Hires

Susan Baldino, Reading Specialist at Mary R. Tisko School

B.A. Early Childhood Education, UMASS Amherst

Masters in Reading, Southern Connecticut State University

10 years teaching experience in New Haven Public Schools, elementary level

Extensive background Reader/Writer’s Workshop

She and her family live in East Haven 

Kate Bergantino, 3rd teacher at Mary T. Murphy School

Branford High School Graduate

B.A. Childhood Education, American University

Masters in Education from George Mason University

Five-year teaching background in Washington, D.C.

Kim Cellina, Pre-K teacher for John B. Sliney Students

B.A. in Psychology from Albertus Magnus

Maters in Early Childhood Education from St. Joseph’s (West Hartford)

Five-year teaching background in elementary and pre-k at St. Thomas School in West Hartford.

She lives in Wallingford

Alicia DeNuzzo, 4th Grade Teacher at Mary R. Tisko School

B.A. Early Childhood Education, Southern Connecticut State University

Masters in Reading, Southern Connecticut State University

Elementary school teacher in New Haven Public Schools; elementary school teacher in Madison Public Schools.

She and her family reside in North Haven. 

Brendan Eaker, Special Education Teacher, Branford High School

B.A. in Criminal Justice from University of New Haven

Masters student in Special Education at Southern Connecticut State University

Paraprofessional in Fairfield Public Schools specializing in children with autism.

Brendan and family reside in Bridgeport

Jennifer Finland-Gluck, 7th Grade Language Arts Teacher Francis Walsh Intermediate School

B.S. in Secondary Education English from Central Connecticut State University

Language arts teacher in Oakville, CT, long-term substitute teaching positions in Branford and Guilford.

Jena Frisbie, Social Studies Teacher, Francis Walsh Intermediate School

Branford High School graduate

B.A. in history from Hobart William Smith College

Masters in reading writing instruction from Sacred Heart University

Long-term substitute and paraprofessional in Madison Public Schools

Peter Greco, 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher, Francis Walsh Intermediate School

Branford High School Graduate

B.S. Family Studies from UCONN

Masters in teaching from Quinnipiac University

Completed internship program in North Haven and North Branford Public Schools

Resides in Branford with family

Hamilton Hernandez, Social Studies Teacher, Branford High School

B.A. and M.A. in American History from George Mason University

Eight-grade social studies teacher in Hamden Public Schools

Resides with family in Guilford

Matthew Kaminski, 3rd Grade Teacher Mary R. Tisko School

B.A. Eastern Connecticut State University

Masters in 6th-year education from Sacred Heart University

Third Grade teacher at McKinley Elementary School in Oregon; Grades 1 to 3 in Lisbon, CT; Grades 3 and 4 in Redding, MA 

Sean Kennedy, PE Health Teacher Francis Walsh Intermediate School

B.A. in Athletic Training from Central Connecticut State University, Post Bachelor in Physical Education

Certified and licensed athletic trainer and sports coach at East Lyme Public Schools

Five-year athletic trainer at Old Saybrook High School

Residents in Niantic

Michelle LaComb, Special Education Teacher Francis Walsh Intermediate School

B.A. and Post-Bachelor Central Connecticut State University

Special Education Teacher High Road School in Wallingford

Resides in Meriden

Matthew Madruga, Guidance Counselor Francis Walsh Intermediate School

B.A. in Psychology from UCONN

Masters Assumption College

Adolescent Counselor at St. Vincent Home in Fall River, MA

Resides in Branford

Jennifer Martens, 2nd Grade Teacher Mary R. Tisko School

B.S. in Biology and Masters in Education from University of New Hampshire

4th Grade Teacher in Milford School District, Milford, N.H.

Resides with her family in Wallingford

Jessica Mularski, Library Media Specialist Branford High School

B.A. and M.A. English and Masters in Educational Technology from Fairfield University

Six-year language arts teacher at Lyme-Old Lyme High School

Resides with family in Guilford

Emily Munzer, 3rd Grade Teacher Mary R. Murphy School

B.S. Childhood and Special Education, New York University

Fifth-Grade teacher for New York City Department of Education

Resides in Hamden with family

Marisa Tarquino, Kindergarten Mary R. Tisko School

B.A. in Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University

Masters in elementary education from University of New Haven

Special education paraprofessional at Tisko School

Currently resides in Branford

Andrea Valley, Elementary World Language Teacher

B.A. in Spanish and Masters in Education from University on Connecticut

Elementary World Language Teacher in Madison

Resides with family in Madison

Those not in attendance at BOE recognition:

Stephen Brown, Chemistry, BHS

Kelly Thompson, Speech & Language, Indian Neck School

Lauren Sgarletta, Special Education Teacher, John B. Sliney School

Nuria Miller, Spanish, BHS

Kimberly Volkens, ELL Teacher at John B. Sliney and Mary T. Murphy

Lisa Verzella, Special Education, BHS