Program and Faculty at Our Independent School

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.

Each TSS student has the following academic classes every day:

Tutorial

Specialized daily instruction in decoding, spelling, reading fluency, vocabulary and reading comprehension
Evidence-based approaches and methods help students "learn to read" and "read to learn"

Literature

Reinforces reading, comprehension, language, and listening skills through a shared-book experience
Creative projects extend understanding, foster connections to text, and deepen analysis skills

Writing

Daily practice in language conventions, sentence writing and paragraph development centered around the writing process, helps students develop a structured approach they can use across the curriculum.

Social Studies & Science

Hands-on/project-based learning that integrates the arts, technology, field trips, assemblies, lab experiences, and research projects to actively engage students with the material

Mathematics

Focuses on acquiring underlying mathematical concepts, building computational skills and developing problem-solving strategies

Study Period

Provides time for students to work with teachers to practice executive function strategies and develop self-advocacy skills

Teaching Faculty
Aline Araujo	Teacher	BA - Roger Williams University, Elementary Education MS - Southern Connecticut State University, Remedial Reading & Language Arts CT Certification Elementary Education, Grades 1-6	Current Years at TSS: 1	Years in Education: 6
Megan Aversano	Teacher	BS - University of Connecticut MA - University of Connecticut CT Certification in Elementary Education, Grades 1-6	Current Years at TSS: 22	Years in Education: 22
Justin Behn	Teacher	BA - Southern State Connecticut University MAT - Sacred Heart University Connecticut Certification: Provisional Educators in Elementary Education K-6 Classroom Educator, Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators	Current Years at TSS: 11	Years in Education: 11
Karin Bowman	Teacher	BA - University of Massachusetts MS Ed - University of Bridgeport	Current Years at TSS: 7	Years in Education: 24
Melissa Brown	Teacher	BA - Sacred Heart University MAT - Sacred Heart University 6th Year - Southern Connecticut State University	Current Years at TSS: 21	Years in Education: 22
James Bruce	Teacher	BA - University of Oregon MS - University of Bridgeport	Current Years at TSS: 5	Years in Education: 9
Julia Cascio	Teacher	BA - Fairfield University MA - Fairfield University	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Education: 2
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, Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators	Current Years at TSS: 5	Years in Education: 10
Theresa Collins	Orton-Gillingham Fellow & Trainer Tutorial Department Head Teacher	BA - Colgate University MS - State University of New York Fellow, Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators	Current Years at TSS: 7	Years in Education: 34
Taylor Cotaling	Teacher	BA - Roger Williams University MA - Sacred Heart University Connecticut Certification: Initial Certificate, Elementary Education 1-6	Current years at TSS: 6	Years in Education: 11
Brandon DeMunnik	Teacher	BA - University of Rhode Island MS - University of Bridgeport	Current Years at TSS: 21	Years in Education: 21
Kristin DuCharme	Teacher	BA - Sacred Heart University MAT - Sacred Heart University Connecticut Certification-Initial Certificate K-6 New Jersey CEAS K-6 (Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing)	Current Years at TSS: 3	Years in Education: 11
Christine Filep	Teacher	BA - Fairfield University MAT - Sacred Heart University Classroom Educator, Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators	Current Years at TSS: 22	Years in Education: 23
Janine Forry	Teacher Student Advisor	BS - William Patterson University CAS - St. Thomas Aquinas College Associate, Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators	Current Years at TSS: 19	Years in Education: 21
Jeannine M. Gallagher	Teacher	BA-Marymount College Tarrytown MA-Fairfield University	Current Years at TSS: 7	Years in Education: 12
Melanie Higgins	Teacher	BS - University of Connecticut MS - Southern Connecticut State University Connecticut Certification: Special Education Associate, Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators	Current Years at TSS: 20	Years in Education: 20
Heather Humphries	Teacher	BS - Southern Connecticut State University MA - Fairfield University Connecticut Certification: Professional Educator in Comprehensive Special Education, Pre-K-12	Current Years at TSS: 24	Years in Education: 32
Erin Johnson	Teacher's Assistant	BA - Marist College MA - Sacred Heart University	Current Years at TSS: 1	Years in Education: 1
Sarah Kelly	Art Director	BS - Southern Connecticut State University	Current Years at TSS: 7	Years in Education: 10
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 Certified Structured Literacy / Dyslexia Interventionist	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Education: 7
Kevin Macari	Physical Education Teacher	BA - University of Delaware, Leadership	Current Years at TSS: 1	Years in Profession: 5
Talya Oral	Teacher	BS - Texas Christian University, Early Childhood Education MS - Texas Christian University, Special Education	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Education: 2
Alexandra Palazzo	Teacher	BA - Quinnipiac University MS - Touro College	Current Years at TSS: 1	Years in Education: 5
Julie Papp	Teacher Student Advisor	BA - Boston College MA - Fordham University	Current Years at TSS: 17	Years in Education: 22
Sharon Plante	Chief Technology Integrator Teacher Student Advisor	BA - Connecticut College MEd - George Mason University Classroom Educator, Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators	Current Years at TSS: 17	Years in Education: 25
Brianna Pruchnicki	Health & Wellness, Teacher's Assistant	BA - Manhattanville College MS - University of Bridgeport	Current Years at TSS: 1	Years in Education: 3
Jim Renehan	Teacher's Assistant	BA - Johnson & Wales University MAT - Sacred Heart University TSS Alumni - T '05	Current Years at TSS: 1	Years in Education: 6
Kim Ruggiero	Teacher	BS - Southern Connecticut State University MS - University of Bridgeport Connecticut Certification: Special Education Associate, Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators	Current Years at TSS: 25	Years in Education: 25
Heidi Ryan	Teacher	BS - St. Bonaventure University MS - University of Bridgeport	Current Years at TSS: 1	Years in Education: 24
Lila Schooler	Teacher	BA - Southern Connecticut State University, Psychology MA - Grand Canyon University, Special Education, K-12 Associates - Champlain College, Early Childhood	Current Years at TSS: 1	Years in Education: 10
Marisa Scott	Teacher	BS- Salve Regina University Connecticut Certification: Initial Certificate, Elementary Education 1-6	Current Years at TSS: 3	Years in Education: 4
Laurie Strazza	Teacher	BA - Southern Connecticut State University BS - Southern Connecticut State University MA - Sacred Heart University	Current Years at TSS: 1	Years in Education: 6
Stephanie Swinkin	Teacher	BA – Hofstra University MS Ed – Binghamton University	Current Years at TSS: 4	Years in Education: 7
Audra Whitmore	Teacher	BS - Saint Joseph's University MS - Saint Joseph's University Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner Wilson Reading System Level I Certification	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Education: 5
Jessica Wilkes	Music Director	BA - Berklee College of Music MS - University of Bridgeport	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Education: 8
Clorasteen Wilson	Teacher	BA - University of Connecticut MS - University of Bridgeport Connecticut Certification: Initial Certificate, Elementary Education 1-6	Current Years at TSS: 3	Years in Education: 3
Staff and Administration
Samantha Berg	Director of Admissions	BS - Western Connecticut State University	Current Years at TSS: 7	Years in Education: 14
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: 32	Years in Education: 32
Mario Fiallo	Director of Facilities	GED - Brian McMahon High School	Current Years at TSS: 21	Years in Profession: 33
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: 27	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: 10	Years in Education: 30
Suzanne Lang	Director, The Southport CoLAB	BS - Southern Connecticut State University	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Profession: 11
Peggy Lewis	Chef, Caterer	CDM - Auburn University	Current Years at TSS: 3	Years in Profession: 32
Maggie Macari	Chief Operating Officer	BS - Villanova University	Current Years at TSS: 9	Years in Profession: 35
Elizabeth “Zibby” Perkins	Director of Advancement	BA - English/Public Relations, Syracuse University	Current Years at TSS: 7	Years in Profession: 23
Lauren Pirrone	Advancement Coordinator	BA - Mass Communications, Iona College MS - Human Resources & Organizational Effectiveness, Manhattanville College - School of Business	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Profession: 5
Dr. Benjamin N. Powers	Head of School	BA - La Salle University MBA - Rochester Institute of Technology DBA - Grenoble Ecole de Management Associate, Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators Affiliated Research Scientist at Haskin Laboratories	Current Years at TSS: 9	Years in Education: 22
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: 22	Years in Education: 22
Jeffrey Ruggiero	Director of Curriculum Student Advisor	BS - Southern Connecticut State University MS - Southern Connecticut State University 6th Year - Southern Connecticut State University Connecticut Certification: Special Education	Current Years at TSS: 30	Years in Education: 30
Margaret Sullivan	Nurse		Current Years at TSS: 2
David Sylvestro	School Psychologist	BA - Trinity College MA - Fairfield University	Current Years at TSS: 29	Years in Education: 47
Jen Szweda	Nurse		Current Years at TSS: 2
Lauren Tamiso	Executive Assistant, Head of School	BA - Elementary Education, University of North Carolina-Wilmington MA - Education, Southern Connecticut State University	Current Years at TSS: 1	Years in Profession: 5
Joyce Tracey	Business Manager	BS- Towson University	Current Years at TSS: 5	Years in Profession: 12
Dede Warner	Front Office Administrator	AA - Bennett College BA - University of Connecticut	Current Years at TSS: 27	Years in Education: 32
Cadia Wiley	School Counselor Student Advisor	BS-John Carroll University MEd-Cleveland State University	Current Years at TSS: 3	Years in Education: 5

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