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Leadership

Administration

Dr. Benjamin N. Powers
Executive Director, The Southport School
Founder & Executive Director, The Southport CoLAB

  • BA - La Salle University
  • MBA - Rochester Institute of Technology
  • DBA - Grenoble Ecole de Management
  • Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy
  • President, The Dyslexia Foundation
  • Senior Scientist, Haskins Laboratories
  • Director, Yale and UCONN Haskins Global Literacy Hub
  • Lecturer, Yale School of Medicine; University of Connecticut
  • Associate Research Professor Psychology and Educational Psychology, University of Connecticut

Years at TSS: 12

Years in Profession: 25


 

 

Dr. Hallie A. Buckingham
Associate Head of School for Student Engagement, Student Advisor

  • BS - Southern Connecticut State University
  • MS - Southern Connecticut State University
  • University 6th Year - Southern Connecticut State University
  • EdD - Southern Connecticut State University
  • Connecticut Certification: School Administration
  • Connecticut Certification: Special Education k-12
  • Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy

Years at TSS: 35

Years in Profession: 35


 

 

Dr. Kathleen Gallagher
Associate Head of School for Administration, Student Advisor

  • BA - College of New Rochelle
  • MA - College of New Rochelle
  • EdD - St. John Fisher College
  • Connecticut Certification: Special Education
  • Connecticut Certification: School Administration
  • Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy

Years at TSS: 30

Years in Profession: 30


 

 

Audra Hoag
Teacher, Director, Lower School, Department Head, Writing, Assistant Director, Summer Academic Program, Student Advisor

  • BS - Saint Joseph's University
  • MS - Saint Joseph's University
  • CT Certified: Provisional Educator, Elementary Education, Grades 1-6
  • CT Certified: Provisional Educator, Special Education, Comprehensive, Grades K-12
  • Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
  • Wilson Reading System Level I Certification
  • Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy

Years at TSS: 5

Years in Profession: 8


 

 

Julie Papp
Teacher, Director, Upper School, Department Head, Social Studies/Science, Student Advisor

  • BA - Boston College
  • MA - Fordham University
  • Classroom Educator, Academy of Orton-Gillingham

Years at TSS: 20

Years in Profession: 25


 

 

Sharon Plante
Director of Education and Instructional Technology, Student Advisor

  • BA - Connecticut College 
  • MEd - George Mason University 
  • 092 Leadership and Administration - Sacred Heart University 
  • Connecticut Certification: Professional Educator: Special Education: Comprehensive, Grades K - 12 
  • Wilson Reading System Level I Certification 
  • Co-Author - "Using Technology to Engage Students with Learning Disabilities"
  • Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy

Years at TSS: 20

Years in Profession: 28


 

 

Jeffrey Ruggiero
Associate Head of School for Academics

  • BS - Southern Connecticut State University, Special Education 
  • MS - Southern Connecticut State University, Learning Disabilities 
  • University 6th Year - Southern Connecticut State University, School Administration and Supervision 
  • Connecticut Certification: Special Education K-12 
  • Connecticut Certification: School Administration 
  • Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy

Years at TSS: 33

Years in Profession: 33


 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD MEMBERS

Virginia Cargill, Chair
Ellen Ringel Boyle
Jim Bradley
Colleen Brandon, Alum Parent
George Clark, Jr.
Mark Connelly, Alum Parent
Bob DiSabato, Alum Parent
Dick Ferguson, Alum Parent
David Holtze, Alum Parent
Karen Jeffers
Stephanie Turnier Mitchell, Alum Parent
Andree Palmgren, Alum Parent
Dr. Benjamin N. Powers
Paul Quinsee, Alum Parent
Sue Roberts
Jim Vose
Amy Watson

DIRECTOR EMERITI

Janet Brogan, Alum Parent
Barbara Evans
Lawrence Hughes
Michael LaPorta
Hugh R. Smith, Alum Grandparent
Janet L. Steinmayer, Alum Parent 
Patricia Willett
Robert W. Wright
Mrs. F. Henry Berlin, 1920-1995
Stephen D. Colhoun, 1921-1991
Walter S. Robbins, 1928-2016 
John D. Upton, 1909-2005
Frank P. Wendt, 1925-2018