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 |
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Aline Araujo | Teacher |
BA - Roger Williams University, Elementary Education |
Current Years at TSS: 3 | 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 |
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 | 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-Gilligham Academy
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Current Years at TSS: 2 | Years in Education: 22 |
Theresa Collins |
Orton-Gillingham Academy, Fellow & Trainer |
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 |
Joanne Dowling | Teacher |
BS - The Catholic University of America |
Current Years at TSS: 9 | Years in Education: 28 |
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 Department Head, Language Arts |
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
|
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 |
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 |
Current Years at TSS: 3 | Years in Education: 8 |
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: 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: 2 | 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 Admissions |
BS - Western Connecticut State University |
Current Years at TSS: 9 | Years in Profession: 16 |
Dr. Hallie A. Buckingham | Head of Upper School Student Advisor |
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 | Head of Lower School Co-Director of Summer Programs 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, Caterer |
CDM - Auburn University |
Current Years at TSS: 5 | Years in Profession: 34 |
Maggie Macari |
Chief Operating & Financial Officer COVID Response Coordinator: |
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 |
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 |
Director of Advancement |
BA - Syracuse University, English & Public Relations | Current Years at TSS: 9 | Years in Profession: 26 |
Sharon Plante | Chief Technology Integrator Teacher Mentor Student Advisor |
BA - Connecticut College |
Current Years at TSS: 19 | Years in Education: 27 |
Dr. Benjamin N. Powers | Head of School Executive Director, The Southport CoLAB |
BA - La Salle University |
Current Years at TSS: 11 | Years in Education: 24 |
John Robbins | Director of Student Programs Co-Director of Summer Programs Student Advisor |
BA - University of Colorado |
Current Years at TSS: 24 | Years in Education: 24 |
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: 32 | Years in Education: 32 |
Susan Stefenson | Business Office-Bookkeeper |
BA - Allegheny College |
Current Years at TSS: 2 | Years in Profession: 18 |
Jennifer Szweda, RN |
Nurse COVID Response Team: |
ADN - Waukesha County Technical College BSN - Chamberlain University 2022 |
Current Years at TSS: 4 | Years in Profession: 33 |
Joyce Tracey | Business Manager |
BS - Towson University |
Current Years at TSS: 7 | Years in Profession: 14 |
Cadia Wiley | School Counselor Student Advisor |
BS - John Carroll University |
Current Years at TSS: 5 | Years in Education: 7 |