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
DIRECTOR EMERITI