Faculty & Staff

Teaching Faculty
Aline Araujo	Teacher	BA - Roger Williams University, Elementary Education MS - Southern Connecticut State University, Remedial Reading & Language Arts Connecticut Certification Elementary Education, Grades 1-6	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Education: 7
Megan Aversano	Teacher	BS - University of Connecticut MA - University of Connecticut Connecticut Certification in Elementary Education, Grades 1-6	Current Years at TSS: 23	Years in Education: 23
Justin Behn	Teacher	BS - University of Connecticut MA - University of Connecticut Connecticut Certification in Elementary Education, Grades 1-6	Current Years at TSS: 12	Years in Education: 12
Karin Bowman	Teacher	BA - University of Massachusetts MS Ed - University of Bridgeport Certified, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 8	Years in Education: 25
Melissa Brown	Teacher	BA - Sacred Heart University MAT - Sacred Heart University 6th Year - Southern Connecticut State University Connecticut Certification: Remedial Reading/Language Arts K-12 Connecticut Certification: Professional Educator, Elementary Education K-6	Current Years at TSS: 22	Years in Education: 23
James Bruce	Teacher	BA - University of Oregon MS - University of Bridgeport	Current Years at TSS: 6	Years in Education: 10
Julia Cascio	Teacher	BA - Fairfield University MA - Fairfield University	Current Years at TSS: 3	Years in Education: 3
Bianca Cenatiempo	Teacher	BS - Western Connecticut State University MA - Fairfield University Connecticut Certification: Health Education Pre-K-12 and Special Education K-12 Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 6	Years in Education: 11
Theresa Collins	Orton-Gillingham Academy, Fellow & Trainer Department Head, Tutorial	BA - Colgate University MS - State University of New York Fellow, Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators	Current Years at TSS: 8	Years in Education: 35
Sarah Crupi	Art Director Teacher	BS - Southern Connecticut State University MA - Boston University Connecticut Certification: Professional Educator, Art Education Pre-K-12 Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 8	Years in Education: 11
Brandon DeMunnik	Teacher Student Advisor	BA - University of Rhode Island MS - University of Bridgeport	Current Years at TSS: 22	Years in Education: 22
Joanne Dowling	Teacher	BS - The Catholic University of America MSED - Fairfield University (Certified K-12)	Current Years at TSS: 8	Years in Education: 27
Kristin DuCharme	Teacher	BA - Sacred Heart University MAT - Sacred Heart University Connecticut Certification-Initial Certificate K-6 Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy New Jersey CEAS K-6 (Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing)	Current Years at TSS: 4	Years in Education: 12
Christine Filep	Teacher	BA - Fairfield University MAT - Sacred Heart University Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 23	Years in Education: 24
Janine Forry	Teacher Student Advisor Department Head, Language Arts	BS - William Paterson University CAS - St. Thomas Aquinas College MSED - Walden University Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 20	Years in Education: 22
Jeannine M. Gallagher	Teacher	BS - Marymount College -Tarrytown, Special Education MA - Fairfield University, Special Education Connecticut Certification: Professional Educator in Comprehensive Special Education K-12 Connecticut Certification: Professional Educator in Elementary Education K-6 Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 8	Years in Education: 13
Melanie Higgins	Teacher	BS - University of Connecticut MS - Southern Connecticut State University Connecticut Certification: Special Education Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 21	Years in Education: 21
Heather Humphries	Teacher	BS - Southern Connecticut State University MA - Fairfield University Connecticut Certification: Professional Educator in Comprehensive Special Education, Pre-K-12 Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 26	Years in Education: 34
Erin Johnson	Teacher	BA - Marist College MA - Sacred Heart University Connecticut Certification: Initial Certificate, Elementary Education 1-6	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Education: 2
KC Koshansky	Teacher	BA - University of Connecticut MAT - Sacred Heart University 6th Year Degree-102 Certification in Remedial Reading/Language Arts K-12 – Fairfield University Connecticut Certification: Provisional Educator, Elementary Education K-6 Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 3	Years in Education: 8
Tricia Marini	Teacher	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	Current Years at TSS: 1
Taylor Myers	Teacher	BA - Roger Williams University MA - Sacred Heart University Connecticut Certification: Initial Certificate, Elementary Education 1-6 Classroom Educator, Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators	Current years at TSS: 7	Years in Education: 12
Talya Oral	Teacher	BS - Texas Christian University, Early Childhood Education MS - Texas Christian University, Special Education	Current Years at TSS: 3	Years in Education: 3
Kylie Palmer	Teacher	BS - University of Dayton, Early Childhood Education Connecticut Certification: Early Childhood/Elementary Ed. N-3 and Special Ed. N-K	Current Years at TSS: 1	Years in Education: 1
Julie Papp	Teacher Student Advisor	BA - Boston College MA - Fordham University	Current Years at TSS: 18	Years in Education: 23
Sharon Plante	Chief Technology Integrator Teacher Mentor 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 Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy Wilson Reading System Level I Certification Co-Author - "Using Technology to Engage Students with Learning Disabilities"	Current Years at TSS: 18	Years in Education: 26
Brianna Pruchnicki	Teacher, Health & Wellness Teacher, Lower School	BA - Manhattanville College MS - University of Bridgeport	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Education: 4
Jim Renehan	Teacher's Assistant	BA - Johnson & Wales University MAT - Sacred Heart University TSS Alumni - T '05	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Education: 7
Shelbey Roy	Teacher	BA - Iona College, Political Science MAT - Sacred Heart University Connecticut Certification: Initial Certificate, Elementary Education 1-6	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Education: 2
Kim Ruggiero	Department Head, Math Teacher	BS - Southern Connecticut State University MS - University of Bridgeport Connecticut Certification: Elementary and Special Education Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 26	Years in Education: 26
Marisa Scott	Teacher	BS- Salve Regina University Connecticut Certification: Initial Certificate, Elementary Education 1-6	Current Years at TSS: 4	Years in Education: 5
Laurie Strazza	Teacher	BA - Southern Connecticut State University BS - Southern Connecticut State University MA - Sacred Heart University	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Education: 7
Jaclyn Shuster	Teacher's Assistant	BS - Quinnipiac University MAT- Quinnipiac University K-6 Connecticut Certification: Initial Certificate, Elementary Education 1-6	Current Years at TSS: 1	Years in Education: 8
Tom Turner	Physical Education Teacher Teacher's Assistant	BS- Southern Connecticut State University	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Education: 2
Kylee Vitka	Teacher	BA – Southern Connecticut State University, Early Childhood Education Connecticut Certified, Early Childhood/Elementary N-3 and Special Education N-K	Current Years at TSS: 1	Years in Education: 2
Audra Whitmore	Teacher Student Advisor	BS - Saint Joseph's University MS - Saint Joseph's University Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner Wilson Reading System Level I Certification	Current Years at TSS: 3	Years in Education: 6
Jessica Wyton	Teacher, Upper School Music Director	BA - Berklee College of Music MS - University of Bridgeport Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 3	Years in Education: 9
Clorasteen Wilson	Teacher	BA - University of Connecticut MS - University of Bridgeport Connecticut Certification: Initial Certificate, Elementary Education 1-6 Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 4	Years in Education: 4
Staff and Administration
Samantha Berg	Director of Admissions	BS - Western Connecticut State University	Current Years at TSS: 8	Years in Education: 15
Dr. Hallie A. Buckingham	Head of Upper School Student Advisor	BS - Southern Connecticut State University MS - Southern Connecticut State University 6th Year - Southern Connecticut State University EdD - Southern Connecticut State University Connecticut Certified: Special Education	Current Years at TSS: 33	Years in Education: 33
Rick Fedeli	Facilities Support		Current Years at TSS: 3
Mario Fiallo	Director of Facilities	GED - Brian McMahon High School	Current Years at TSS: 22	Years in Profession: 34
Dr. Kathleen Gallagher	Head of Lower School Co-Director of Summer Programs Student Advisor	BA - College of New Rochelle MA - College of New Rochelle EdD - St. John Fisher College Connecticut Certification: Special Education	Current Years at TSS: 28	Years in Education: 27
Melissa Kinyon, C.C.C./SLP	Speech-Language Pathologist	BS - Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Ithaca College MS - Communication Disorders, Emerson College ASHA Certified, CT Licensed	Current Years at TSS: 11	Years in Education: 31
Peggy Lewis	Chef, Caterer	CDM - Auburn University	Current Years at TSS: 4	Years in Profession: 33
Maggie Macari	Chief Operating Officer COVID Response Coordinator: covid19@southportschool.org	BS - Villanova University	Current Years at TSS: 10	Years in Profession: 36
Claire Millerick	Advancement Coordinator	BA - Quinnipiac University, Public Relations	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Profession: 3
Elizabeth “Zibby” Perkins	Director of Advancement	BA - Syracuse University, English/Public Relations	Current Years at TSS: 8	Years in Profession: 24
Dr. Benjamin N. Powers	Head of School Executive Director, The Southport CoLAB	BA - La Salle University MBA - Rochester Institute of Technology DBA - Grenoble Ecole de Management Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy Affiliated Research Scientist at Haskin Laboratories	Current Years at TSS: 10	Years in Education: 23
John Robbins	Director of Student Programs Co-Director of Summer Programs Student Advisor	BA - University of Colorado MA - Fairfield University University 6th Year - Southern Connecticut State University Connecticut Certification: Special Education	Current Years at TSS: 23	Years in Education: 23
Jeffrey Ruggiero	Director of Education	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: 31	Years in Education: 31
David Sylvestro	School Psychologist	BA - Trinity College MA - Fairfield University	Current Years at TSS: 30	Years in Education: 48
Jennifer Szweda, RN	Nurse COVID Response Team: covid19@southportschool.org	ADN - Waukesha County Technical College BSN - Chamberlain University 2022	Current Years at TSS: 3	Years in Profession: 32
Lauren Jones	Executive Assistant, Head of School	BA - University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Elementary Education MA - Southern Connecticut State University, Education	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Profession: 6
Joyce Tracey	Business Manager	BS- Towson University	Current Years at TSS: 6	Years in Profession: 13
Dede Warner	Front Office Administrator	AA - Bennett College BA - University of Connecticut	Current Years at TSS: 28	Years in Education: 32
Cadia Wiley	School Counselor Student Advisor	BS - John Carroll University MEd - Cleveland State University	Current Years at TSS: 4	Years in Education: 6

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