Faculty & Staff
We only use pedagogical approaches that are grounded in scientific and educational research. All faculty at The Southport School are trained in structured literacy instruction.
All TSS faculty have undertaken, at minimum, the Classroom Educator coursework and through faculty mentorship. All reading instructors have received Classroom Educator training and/or certification from the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE), or are working towards or have received Associate Level certification.
Additionally, all reading teachers receive ongoing training and supervision from our on-site Orton-Gillingham Fellow. They are also trained in Lindamood-Bell’s Visualizing and Verbalizing Method® for Language Comprehension and Thinking.
Teaching Faculty |
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Kari Anderson | Teacher |
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BS - Business Administration, California State University, Fresno Teaching Credential Work, California State University, Fresno
MA - Education - Administration and Supervision. California State University, Fresno
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Current Years at TSS: 1 | Years in Education: 26 |
Aline Araujo | Teacher |
BA - Roger Williams University, Elementary Education |
Current Years at TSS: 3 | Years in Education: 8 | |
Faith Aronson | Teacher |
George Mason University
MS Education - Southern CT State University
Connecticut Certification - Marketing Education 7-12
Connecticut Certification - Elementary 1-6
Connecticut Certification - MS Math 6-8
Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
CPT, CNC, Health & Wellness Professional
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Current Years at TSS: 2 | Years in Education: 8 | |
Megan Aversano | Teacher |
BS - University of Connecticut |
Current Years at TSS: 24 | Years in Education: 24 | |
Justin Behn | Teacher |
BS - University of Connecticut |
Current Years at TSS: 13 | Years in Education: 13 | |
Karin Bowman | Teacher |
BA - University of Massachusetts |
Current Years at TSS: 9 | Years in Education: 26 | |
Melissa Brown | Teacher |
BA - Sacred Heart University |
Current Years at TSS: 23 | Years in Education: 24 | |
James Bruce | Teacher |
BA - University of Oregon |
Current Years at TSS: 7 | Years in Education: 11 | |
Julia Cascio | Teacher |
BA - Fairfield University
MA - Fairfield University Provisional Educator Certificate
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Current Years at TSS: 4 | Years in Education: 4 | |
Bianca Cenatiempo | Teacher |
BS - Western Connecticut State University |
Current Years at TSS: 7 | Years in Education: 12 | |
Tricia Ciminera
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Teacher
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BA - Fitchburg State University, Early Childhood Education
BS - Fitchburg State University, Sociology MS - Fairfield University, Teaching and Learning Connecticut Certification: PreK-12 University 6th Year - University of Bridgeport, Remedial Reading & Remedial Language Arts Connecticut Certification: Grades 1-12 Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
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Current Years at TSS: 2 | Years in Education: 22 |
Theresa Collins |
Director Orton-Gillingham Academy Training & Instruction |
BA - Colgate University MS - State University of New York Fellow, Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators |
Current Years at TSS: 9 | Years in Education: 36 | |
Sarah Crupi | Art Director Teacher |
BS - Southern Connecticut State University |
Current Years at TSS: 9 | Years in Education: 12 | |
Brandon DeMunnik |
Teacher |
BA - University of Rhode Island |
Current Years at TSS: 23 | Years in Education: 23 | |
Kristin DuCharme | Teacher |
BA - Sacred Heart University |
Current Years at TSS: 5 | Years in Education: 13 | |
Christine Filep | Teacher |
BA - Fairfield University |
Current Years at TSS: 24 | Years in Education: 25 | |
Janine Forry | Teacher Student Advisor |
BS - William Paterson University |
Current Years at TSS: 21 | Years in Education: 23 | |
Jeannine M. Gallagher | Teacher |
BS - Marymount College -Tarrytown, Special Education |
Current Years at TSS: 9 | Years in Education: 14 | |
Ashley Halkowicz
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Teacher |
BS - Sacred Heart University |
Current Years at TSS: 1 | Years in Education: 1 | |
Melanie Higgins | Teacher |
BS - University of Connecticut |
Current Years at TSS: 22 | Years in Education: 22 | |
Erin Johnson | Teacher |
BA - Marist College |
Current Years at TSS: 3 | Years in Education: 3 | |
Catherine Morris | Physical Education Teacher |
BSc.Hons, University of Surrey, London, UK
AFPA, Certified Health and Wellness Coach
American Association of Drugless Practitioners Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach
National Academy of Sports Medicine, Youth Optimum Performance Specialist
National Academy of Sports Medicine, Youth Exercise Specialist
SAC, UK, Diploma in Sports Therapy
NFHS, Certified Interscholastic Coach
NFHS, Accredited Interscholastic Coach
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Current years at TSS: 2 | Years in Education: 32 | |
Taylor Myers | Teacher |
BA - Roger Williams University |
Current years at TSS: 8 | Years in Education: 13 | |
Talya Oral | Teacher |
BS - Texas Christian University, Early Childhood Education |
Current Years at TSS: 4 | Years in Education: 4 | |
Kylie Palmer | Teacher |
BS - University of Dayton, Early Childhood Education |
Current Years at TSS: 2 | Years in Education: 2 | |
Julie Papp | Teacher Student Advisor |
BA - Boston College |
Current Years at TSS: 19 | Years in Education: 24 | |
Joanna Quinn | Mindfulness and Movement Teacher |
BA - Boston College |
Current Years at TSS: 1 | Years in Education: 5 | |
Shelbey Roy | Teacher |
BA - Iona College, Political Science |
Current Years at TSS: 3 | Years in Education: 3 | |
Kim Ruggiero |
Department Head, Math |
BS - Southern Connecticut State University |
Current Years at TSS: 27 | Years in Education: 27 | |
Marisa Scott | Teacher |
BS- Salve Regina University |
Current Years at TSS: 5 | Years in Education: 6 | |
Laurie Strazza | Teacher |
BA - Southern Connecticut State University
BS - Southern Connecticut State University MA - Sacred Heart University Secondary Science Certificate
Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy
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Current Years at TSS: 3 | Years in Education: 8 | |
Kylee Vitka | Teacher |
BA – Southern Connecticut State University, Early Childhood Education |
Current Years at TSS: 2 | Years in Education: 3 | |
Audra Whitmore | Teacher Student Advisor |
BS - Saint Joseph's University
MS - Saint Joseph's University Classroom Educator & Associate Level, Orton-Gillingham Academy Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner Wilson Reading System Level I Certification CT Certified: Provisional Educator, Elementary Education, Grades 1-6
CT Certified: Provisional Educator, Special Education, Comprehensive, Grades K-12
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Current Years at TSS: 4 | Years in Education: 7 | |
Jessica Wyton | Teacher, Upper School Music Director |
BA - Berklee College of Music |
Current Years at TSS: 4 | Years in Education: 10 | |
Clorasteen Wilson | Teacher |
BA - University of Connecticut |
Current Years at TSS: 5 | Years in Education: 5 | |
Staff and Administration |
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Samantha Berg | Director of Student Enrollment Management |
BS - Western Connecticut State University |
Current Years at TSS: 9 | Years in Profession: 16 | |
Dr. Hallie A. Buckingham |
Associate Head of School for Student Engagement |
BS - Southern Connecticut State University |
Current Years at TSS: 34 | Years in Education: 34 | |
Rick Fedeli |
Facilities Support |
Current Years at TSS: 4 | |||
Mario Fiallo |
Director of Facilities |
GED - Brian McMahon High School | Current Years at TSS: 23 | Years in Profession: 35 | |
Dr. Kathleen Gallagher | Associate Head of School for Administration Student Advisor |
BA - College of New Rochelle |
Current Years at TSS: 29 | Years in Education: 28 | |
Jodi Hanna |
Front Office Administrator |
BBA - Loyola University, Maryland |
Current Years at TSS: 2 | Years in Profession: 18 | |
Lauren Jones |
School Programs Coordinator |
BA - University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Elementary Education |
Current Years at TSS: 3 | Years in Profession: 7 | |
Melissa Kinyon, C.C.C./SLP | Speech-Language Pathologist |
BS - Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Ithaca College |
Current Years at TSS: 12 | Years in Education: 32 | |
Peggy Lewis | Chef |
CDM - Auburn University |
Current Years at TSS: 5 | Years in Profession: 34 | |
Maggie Macari |
Chief Financial & Operating Officer
COVID Response Coordinator
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BS - Villanova University | Current Years at TSS: 11 | Years in Profession: 37 | |
Claire Millerick | Advancement Coordinator |
BA - Quinnipiac University, Public Relations |
Current Years at TSS: 3 | Years in Profession: 4 | |
Meghan Murtagh |
School Counselor, Faculty Member |
BA - The Pennsylvania State University |
Current Years at TSS: 2 | Years in Profession: 6 | |
Jimmy O'Hara |
Facilities Support |
Norwalk High School | Current Years at TSS: 1 | Years in Profession: 16 | |
Elizabeth “Zibby” Perkins |
Chief Advancement Officer |
BA - Syracuse University, English & Public Relations | Current Years at TSS: 9 | Years in Profession: 26 | |
Sharon Plante | Chief Technology Integrator Student Advisor |
BA - Connecticut College |
Current Years at TSS: 19 | Years in Education: 27 | |
Dr. Benjamin N. Powers |
Executive Director, The Southport School
Founder & Executive Director, The CoLAB
Senior Scientist, Haskins Laboratories
Chair of Scientific Symposia, The Dyslexia Foundation
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BA - La Salle University |
Current Years at TSS: 11 | Years in Education: 24 | |
John Robbins
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Director of Student Programs
Director of Summer Programs Student Advisor Faculty Member
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BA - University of Colorado |
Current Years at TSS: 24 | Years in Education: 24 | |
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 |
Current Years at TSS: 32 | Years in Education: 32 | |
Susan Stefenson | Business Office |
BA - Allegheny College |
Current Years at TSS: 2 | Years in Profession: 18 | |
Anna Petruny |
Nurse
COVID Response Team
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ADN- Sacred Heart University |
Current Years at TSS: 1 | Years in Profession: 1 | |
Joyce Tracey | Accountant |
BS - Towson University |
Current Years at TSS: 7 | Years in Profession: 14 | |
Cadia Wiley |
School Counselor
Student Advisor Faculty Member
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BS - John Carroll University |
Current Years at TSS: 5 | Years in Education: 7 |