Our Academic Program.

TSS believes that learning happens best and students progress faster in small groups. This approach enables teachers to tailor instruction at our independent school to the individual learning needs of each child while focusing on the strengths he or she brings to the classroom. Students who are elementary and middle school aged challenged with dyslexia, ADHD, auditory processing disorders, and other language-based learning differences can in time successfully transition to more traditional programs that fits his or her needs.

Students come to TSS to unlock their full potential. Instead of a one-size-fits-all philosophy, we focus on understanding how each student learns best. Then, into every classroom and every co-curricular activity, our expert faculty integrate literacy and executive function strategies that are grounded in scientific and educational research.

With a 4:1 student-to-faculty ration, there is no failure here because we focus on strengths as a foundation for learning. Our faculty are passionate about educating students with learning disabilities. 

Each TSS student has the following academic programming every day.

Academic Programming

Our Faculty.

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

      Education

Years

at TSS

Years In

Profession

Aline Anderson Teacher  
  • BA - Roger Williams University, Elementary Education
  • MS - Southern Connecticut State University, Remedial Reading & Language Arts
  • Connecticut Certification Elementary Education, Grades 1-6
  • Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
4 9
Kari Anderson Teacher
 
  • BS - Business Administration, California State University, Fresno Teaching Credential Work, California State University, Fresno
  • MA - Education - Administration and Supervision. California State University, Fresno
2 27
Stacey Angelico Teacher  
  • BA, MAT - Quinnipiac University, Elementary Education
18 18
Megan Aversano Teacher  
  • BS - University of Connecticut 
  • MA - University of Connecticut 
  • Connecticut Certification in Elementary Education, Grades 1-6 
25 25
Justin Behn Teacher  
  • BS - University of Connecticut
  • MA - University of Connecticut
  • Connecticut Certification in Elementary Education, Grades 1-6
  • Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
14 14
Karin Bowman Teacher  
  • BA - University of Massachusetts 
  • MS Ed - University of Bridgeport 
  • Certified, Orton-Gillingham Academy 
10 27
Melissa Brown Teacher  
  • BA, MAT - Sacred Heart University  
  • University 6th Year - Southern Connecticut State University 
  • Connecticut Certification: Remedial Reading/Language Arts K-12 
  • Connecticut Certification: Professional Educator, Elementary Education K-6 
  • Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
24 24
James Bruce Teacher  
  • BA - University of Oregon
  • MS - University of Bridgeport
8 12
Julia Cascio Teacher  
  • BA, MA - Fairfield University 
  • Provisional Educator Certificate
  • Classroom Educator, Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy
5 5
Tricia Ciminera
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
  • Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
3 23

Theresa Collins

Director, Orton-Gillingham Academy Training & Instruction Tutorial Director

 
  • BA - Colgate University
  • MS - State University of New York 
  • Fellow, Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators 
10 37
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
10 13
Carrie Curtin Teacher  
  • BS - Duke University
  • MA - New York University
  • MA - Manhattanville College
   
Brandon DeMunnik

Teacher
Student Advisor

 
  • BA - University of Rhode Island
  • MS - University of Bridgeport
24 24
Kristin DuCharme Teacher  
  • BA, MAT - Sacred Heart University
  • Connecticut Certification: Provisional Certificate K-6
  • Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
  • New Jersey CEAS K-6 (Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing)
  • Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
6 14
Christine Filep Teacher  
  • BA - Fairfield University
  • MAT - Sacred Heart University
  • Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
25 26
Janine Forry Teacher 
Student Advisor 
 
  • BS - William Paterson University
  • CAS - St. Thomas Aquinas College
  • MSED - Walden University
  • Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy
22 24
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
10 15

 

Ashley Halkowicz

 

Teacher  
  • BS, MAT - Sacred Heart University  
  • Connecticut Initial Certification: Professional Educator in Elementary Education 1-6 
2 2
Melanie Higgins Teacher  
  • BS - University of Connecticut
  • MS - Southern Connecticut State University
  • Connecticut Certification: Special Education
  • Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy
23 23
Audra Hoag Teacher 
Student Advisor 
 
  • BS, MS - Saint Joseph's University
  • Classroom Educator & Associate Level, Orton-Gillingham Academy
  • Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
  • Wilson Reading System Level I Certification
  • Connecticut Certified: Provisional Educator, Elementary Education, Grades 1-6
  • Connecticut Certified: Provisional Educator, Special Education, Comprehensive, Grades K-12
  • Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy
5 8
Erin Johnson Teacher  
  • BA - Marist College
  • MA - Sacred Heart University
  • Connecticut Certification: Initial Certificate, Elementary Education 1-6
4 4
Meghan LaMonica

Teacher                    

School Counselor

 
  • BA - The Pennsylvania University
  • MEd - Plymouth State University, School Counseling
3 7
Genevieve Martinez Teacher  
  • BA, MA - Fairfield University
  • Provisional Educator Elementary, Grades 1-6 and Middle
1 4
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
3 33
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 Academy
9 14
Talya Oral Teacher  
  • BS - Texas Christian University, Early Childhood Education
  • MS - Texas Christian University, Special Education
  • Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
5 5
Kylie Palmer Teacher  
  • BS - University of Dayton, Early Childhood Education 
  • Connecticut Certification: Early Childhood/Elementary Ed. N-3 and Special Ed. N-K
3 3
Julie Papp Teacher
Student Advisor
 
  • BA - Boston College
  • MA - Fordham University
20 25
Joanna Quinn Mindfulness and Movement Teacher  
  • BA - Boston College
  • MA - Fordham University
2 6
Shelbey Roy Teacher  
  • BA - Iona College, Political Science
  • MAT - Sacred Heart University
  • Connecticut Certification: Initial Certificate, Elementary Education 1-6
  • Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
4 4
Kim Ruggiero

Department Head
Teacher

 
  • BS - Southern Connecticut State University 
  • MS - University of Bridgeport 
  • Connecticut Certification: Elementary and Special Education 
  • Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy
28 28
Marisa Scott Teacher  
  • BS- Salve Regina University
  • Connecticut Certification: Initial Certificate, Elementary Education 1-6
  • Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
6 6
Laurie Strazza Teacher  
  • BA, BS - Southern Connecticut State University
  • MA - Sacred Heart University
  • Secondary Science Certificate
  • Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
4 9
Cadia Wiley

Teacher

School Counselor

Faculty Member

 
  • BS - John Carroll University
  • MEd - Cleveland State University
6 8
Elizabeth Zobel Teacher  
  • BA - Miami University
  • AMi-6-12 Montessoet Institute of Milwaukee
1 30

Administration and Staff 

Samantha Berg Director of Student Enrollment Management  
  • BS - Western Connecticut State University
10 17
Dr. Hallie A. Buckingham

Associate Head of School for Student Engagement
Student Advisor

 
  • BS, MS - Southern Connecticut State University
  • University 6th Year - Southern Connecticut State University
  • EdD - Southern Connecticut State University
  • Connecticut Certification: Special Education
35 35
Julie Ceja Accounting Manager  
  • BS - Bloomsburg University
1 13
Alexis Czeterko

Project Manager, The Southport CoLAB

 
  • BA - The George Washington University
  • MA - Teachers College, Columbia University
  • Project Leadership Certificate - Cornell University
1 15
Rick Fedeli

Facilities Support

    5  
Mario Fiallo

Director of Facilities

 
  • GED - Brien McMahon High School
24 36
Dr. Kathleen Gallagher Associate Head of School for Administration
Student Advisor
 
  • BA, MA - College of New Rochelle
  • EdD - St. John Fisher College
  • Connecticut Certification: Special Education
  • Connecticut Certification: School Administration
30 29
Kate Haft

Director of Development

 
  • BA - Marist College
1 14
Jodi Hanna

Front Office Administrator
Parent of Alumnus

 
  • BBA - Loyola University, Maryland
  • MS - New York University
3 9
Lauren Jones

School Programs Coordinator

 
  • BA - University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Elementary Education
  • MA - Southern Connecticut State University, Education
4 8
Melissa Kinyon, C.C.C./SLP Speech-Language Pathologist  
  • BS - Ithaca College, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
  • MS - Emerson College, Communication Disorders
  • ASHA Certified, CT Licensed
13 32
Peggy Lewis Chef  
  • CDM - Auburn University
5 35
Maggie Macari
 
Chief Financial & Operating Officer
 
 
  • BS - Villanova University
12 38
Krissy Moschetta Office Manager/Advancement Assistant  
  • BA - Keene State College
1 3
Sarah Neumann Executive Assistant to Dr. Benjamin N. Powers  
  • BA - St. Michael's College
1 10
Patty O'Brien

Database Specialist

 
  • BA - Lafayette College
1 20
Jimmy O'Hara

Facilities Support

 
  • Norwalk High School
2 17
Anna Petruny Nurse  
  • ADN- Sacred Heart University
2 2
Sharon Plante Chief Technology Integrator
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
20 28
Dr. Benjamin N. Powers
 
Executive Director, The Southport School 
Founder & Executive Director, The Southport CoLAB
Senior Scientist, Haskins Laboratories
Chair of Scientific Symposia, The Dyslexia Foundation
 
 
  • BA - La Salle University
  • MBA - Rochester Institute of Technology
  • DBA - Grenoble Ecole de Management
  • Affiliated Research Scientist at Haskin Laboratories
  • Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy
12 25
Christine Restrepo Marketing & Communications  
  • BS - Sacred Heart University
1 25
John Robbins
Director of Student Programs
Director of Summer Academic Program
Student Advisor
Faculty Member
 
  • BA - University of Colorado
  • MA - Fairfield University
  • University 6th Year - Southern Connecticut State University
  • Connecticut Certification: Special Education
26 26
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
33 33
Joyce Tracey Accountant  
  • BS - Towson University
8 15