Program and Faculty

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
Stacey Angelico	Teacher, Lower School Math Department Head	BA - Quinnipiac University MAT - Quinnipiac University	Current Years at TSS: 17	Years in Education: 17
Megan Aversano	Teacher, Writing Department Head	BS - University of Connecticut MA - University of Connecticut	Current Years at TSS: 21	Years in Education: 21
Justin Behn	Teacher	BA - Southern State Connecticut University MAT - Sacred Heart University Connecticut Certification: Provisional Educators in Elementary Education K-6 Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 10	Years in Education: 10
Tiffany Behn	Teacher	BS - Western Connecticut State University MEd - University of Bridgeport Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 6	Years in Education: 7
Karin Bowman	Teacher	BA - University of Massachusetts MS Ed - University of Bridgeport	Current Years at TSS: 6	Years in Education: 23
Melissa Brown	Teacher, Tutorial Department Head	BA - Sacred Heart University MAT - Sacred Heart University 6th Year - Southern Connecticut State University	Current Years at TSS: 20	Years in Education: 21
James Bruce	Teacher	BA - University of Oregon MS - University of Bridgeport	Current Years at TSS: 4	Years in Education: 8
Bianca Cenatiempo	Teacher	BS - Western Connecticut State University Connecticut Certification: Health Education Pre-K-12	Current Years at TSS: 4	Years in Education: 9
Theresa Collins	Teacher, Director of Tutorial Program	BA - Colgate University MS - State University of New York Fellow, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 6	Years in Education: 33
Taylor Cotaling	Teacher	BA - Roger Williams University Connecticut Certification: Initial Certificate, Elementary Education 1-6	Current years at TSS: 5	Years in Education: 10
Brandon DeMunnik	Teacher, Upper School Math Head	BA - University of Rhode Island MS - University of Bridgeport	Current Years at TSS: 20	Years in Education: 20
Kristin DuCharme	Teacher	BA -Sacred Heart University MAT-Sacred Heart University Connecticut Connecticut Certification-Initial Certificate K-6 New Jersey CEAS K-6 (Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing)	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Education: 10
Christine Filep	Teacher	BA - Fairfield University MAT - Sacred Heart University Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 21	Years in Education: 22
Janine Forry	Teacher	BS - William Patterson University CAS - St. Thomas Aquinas College Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 18	Years in Education: 20
Jeannine M. Gallagher	Teacher	BA-Marymount College Tarrytown MA-Fairfield University	Current Years at TSS: 6	Years in Education: 11
Jill Hansen	Teacher, Student Advisor	BA - University of Bridgeport MA - Fairfield University	Current Years at TSS: 22	Years in Education: 36
Melanie Higgins	Teacher	BS - University of Connecticut MS - Southern Connecticut State University Connecticut Certification: Special Education Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 19	Years in Education: 19
Heather Humphries	Teacher, Literature Dept. Head	BS - Southern Connecticut State University MA - Fairfield University Connecticut Certification: Professional Educator in Comprehensive Special Education, Pre-K-12	Current Years at TSS: 23	Years in Education: 31
Sarah Kelly	Art Director	BS - Southern Connecticut State University	Current Years at TSS: 6	Years in Education: 9
Katie Loiacono	Teacher	BA - University of Connecticut MS - University of New Haven Connecticut Certification: Initial Educator Certified Grades K-8	Current Years at TSS: 4	Years in Education: 8
Julie Papp	Teacher, Science/Social Studies Head, Student Advisor	BA - Boston College MA - Fordham University	Current Years at TSS: 16	Years in Education: 21
Sharon Plante	Teacher, Director of Technology	BA - Connecticut College MEd - George Mason University Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 16	Years in Education: 24
Kim Ruggiero	Teacher	BS - Southern Connecticut State University MS - University of Bridgeport Connecticut Certification: Special Education Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 24	Years in Education: 24
Marisa Scott	Teacher's Assistant	BS- Salve Regina University Connecticut Certification: Initial Certificate, Elementary Education 1-6	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Education: 3
Stephanie Swinkin	Teacher	BA – Hofstra University MS Ed – Binghamton University	Current Years at TSS: 3	Years in Education: 6
Kristyn Ventresca	Teacher	BS -Southern Connecticut State University MEd - University of New Haven Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy	Current Years at TSS: 6	Years in Education: 7
Clorasteen Wilson	Teacher	BA-University of Connecticut MS-University of Bridgeport Connecticut Certification: Initial Certificate, Elementary Education 1-6	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Education: 2
Staff and Administration
Samantha Berg	Director of Admissions	BS - Western Connecticut State University	Current Years at TSS: 6	Years in Education: 13
Dr. Hallie A. Buckingham	Head of Upper School, Director of Community Outreach, 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: 31	Years in Education: 31
Molly Dryman	Executive Assistant to the Headmaster/Project Manager	BA - University of North Carolina, Asheville	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Profession: 9
Mario Fiallo	Director of Facilities	GED - Brian McMahon High School	Current Years at TSS: 20	Years in Profession: 32
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: 26	Years in Education: 26
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: 9	Years in Education: 29
Suzanne Lang	Director, The Southport CoLAB	BS - Southern Connecticut State University	Current Years at TSS: 1	Years in Profession: 10
Peggy Lewis	Chef, Caterer	CDM - Auburn University	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Profession: 31
Maggie Macari	Chief Financial Officer	BS - Villanova University	Current Years at TSS: 7	Years in Profession: 34
Elizabeth McIntyre	Interim Director of Admissions	MS - Education, Sarah Lawrence College BA - Psychology, Denison University	Current Years at TSS: 1	Years in Profession: 25
Elizabeth “Zibby” Perkins	Director of Advancement	BA - English & Public Relations, Syracuse University	Current Years at TSS: 6	Years in Profession: 22
Dr. Benjamin N. Powers	Headmaster	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: 8	Years in Education: 21
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: 21	Years in Education: 21
Shelbey Roy	Manager of Special Events	BA - Iona College	Current Years at TSS: 3	Years in Profession: 4
Jeffrey Ruggiero	Director of Education	BS - Southern Connecticut State University MS - Southern Connecticut State University 6th Year - Southern Connecticut State University Connecticut Certification: Special Education	Current Years at TSS: 29	Years in Education: 29
David Sylvestro	School Psychologist	BA - Trinity College MA - Fairfield University	Current Years at TSS: 28	Years in Education: 46
Joyce Tracey	Accountant, CPA	BS- Towson University	Current Years at TSS: 4	Years in Profession: 11
Dede Warner	Office Administrator	AA - Bennett College BA - University of Connecticut	Current Years at TSS: 26	Years in Education: 31
Cadia Wiley	School Counselor	BS-John Carroll University MEd-Cleveland State University	Current Years at TSS: 2	Years in Education: 4

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