Faculty & Staff
Our expert faculty empowers learners
At The Southport School, our world-class faculty meets students where they are. All classroom teachers are trained in Orton-Gillingham, the best evidence-based approach for remediating students with language-based learning differences like dyslexia, structured literacy and language comprehension, and The Southport School's proprietary research and evidence-based executive function coaching model.
Professional development is a priority at The Southport School. Our teachers undergo extensive in-house training before stepping into classrooms, then receive weekly professional training from regional and national experts while benefitting from continuous mentorship.
With a firm mindset that they must reach each student and then deliver the best research and evidence-based instruction possible to help them succeed, our teachers develop concrete strategies to extract, analyze, and guide each student to their full potential.
We provide challenging and rewarding activities that nurture independent thinking. In teaching students to problem solve and recognize and utilize their strengths, they learn to foster supportive relationships with caring adults and make excellent academic, social and emotional strides. I'm incredibly fortunate to be a part of a community that plays a pivotal role in students' development as learners and human beings."
-- Megan Aversano, Teacher
Teaching Faculty
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
Years at TSS: 5
Years in Profession: 10
Kari Anderson
Teacher
- BS - California State University, Fresno
- Teaching Credential Work, California State University, Fresno
- MA - Education - Administration and Supervision. California State University, Fresno
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 3
Years in Profession: 28
Stacey Angelico
Teacher
- BA - Quinnipiac University
- MAT - Quinnipiac University, Elementary Education
- Connecticut Certification: Professional Educator, Elementary Education K-6
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 19
Years in Profession: 19
Megan Aversano
Teacher
- BS - University of Connecticut
- MA - University of Connecticut
- Connecticut Certification: Professional Educator, Elementary Education 1-6
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 26
Years in Profession: 26
Justin Behn
Teacher
- BS - University of Connecticut
- MA - University of Connecticut
- Connecticut Certification in Elementary Education, Grades 1-6
- Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 15
Years in Profession: 15
Karin Bowman
Teacher
- BA - University of Massachusetts
- MS Ed - University of Bridgeport
- Certified, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 11
Years in Profession: 28
Melissa Brown
Teacher
- BA - Sacred Heart University
- 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
Years at TSS: 25
Years in Profession: 25
James Bruce
Teacher
- BA - University of Oregon
- MS - University of Bridgeport
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 9
Years in Profession: 13
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
Years at TSS: 11
Years in Profession: 38
Sarah Crupi
Teacher, Art Director
- BS - Southern Connecticut State University
- MA - Boston University
- Connecticut Certification: Provisional Educator, Art Education Pre-K-12
- Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 11
Years in Profession: 14
Carrie Curtin
Teacher
- BS - Duke University
- MA - New York University
- MA - Manhattanville College
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 2
Years in Profession: 22
Brandon DeMunnik
Teacher, Student Advisor
- BA - University of Rhode Island
- MS - University of Bridgeport
- Connecticut Certification - Professional Educator
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 25
Years in Profession: 25
Pamela Drought
Associate Teacher
- BS - Richard Stockton College
- MAT - Southern Connecticut State University, Elementary Education
- Certificate Early Childhood Education, UCLA
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 2
Years in Profession: 7
Christine Filep
Teacher
- BA - Fairfield University
- MAT - Sacred Heart University
- Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 26
Years in Profession: 26
Janine Forry
Teacher, Department Head, Literature, Student Advisor
- BS - William Paterson University
- CAS - St. Thomas Aquinas College
- MSED - Walden University
- Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 23
Years in Profession: 25
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
Years at TSS: 11
Years in Profession: 16
Ashley Halkowicz
Teacher
- BS - Sacred Heart University
- MAT - Sacred Heart University
- Connecticut Initial Certification: Professional Educator in Elementary Education 1-6
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 3
Years in Profession: 3
Melanie Higgins
Teacher
- BS - University of Connecticut
- MS - Southern Connecticut State University
- Connecticut Certification: Special Education
- Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 24
Years in Profession: 24
Erin Johnson
Teacher
- BA - Marist College
- MA - Sacred Heart University
- Connecticut Certification: Initial Certificate, Elementary Education 1-6
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 5
Years in Profession: 5
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
Years at TSS: 14
Years in Profession: 33
Cassidy Lombardo
Teacher
- B.S. - Sacred Heart University
- MAT with Cross Endorsement in Special Education - Sacred Heart University
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 1
Years in Profession: 1
Catherine Morris
Teacher, Physical Education Director
- BSc. Honors - 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
Years at TSS: 4
Years in Profession: 34
Christy McWIlliams
Associate Teacher
Years at TSS: 1
Years in Profession:
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
Years at TSS: 10
Years in Profession: 15
Talya Oral
Teacher
- BS - Texas Christian University, Early Childhood Education
- MS - Texas Christian University, Special Education
- Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 6
Years in Profession: 6
Joanna Quinn
Teacher
- BA - Boston College
- MA - Fordham University
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 3
Years in Profession: 7
John Robbins
Teacher, Director, Summer Academic Program, Student Advisor
- BA - University of Colorado
- MA - Fairfield University
- University 6th Year - Southern Connecticut State University
- Connecticut Certification: Special Education
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 27
Years in Profession: 27
Shelbey Roy
Teacher
- BA - Iona College, Political Science
- MAT - Sacred Heart University
- Connecticut Certification: Provisional Certificate, Elementary Education 1-6
- Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 7
Years in Profession: 5
Kim Ruggiero
Teacher, Department Head, Math
- BS - Southern Connecticut State University
- MS - University of Bridgeport
- Connecticut Certification: Elementary and Special Education
- Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 29
Years in Profession: 29
Kylie Ryan
Teacher
- BS - University of Dayton
- MA - Fairfield University
- Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 4
Years in Profession: 4
Julia Santala
Teacher
- BA - Fairfield University
- MA - Fairfield University
- Provisional Educator Certificate
- Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 6
Years in Profession: 6
Marisa Scott
Teacher
- BS - Salve Regina University
- Connecticut Certification: Initial Certificate, Elementary Education 1-6
- Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 7
Years in Profession: 7
Jared Trippel
Physical Education Teacher
- BS - Physical Education Springfield College
Years at TSS: 1
Years in Profession: 23
Katie Vannicola
Teacher
- BA - Georgetown University, Psychology
- Connecticut Certification: Initial Certificate, Elementary Education 1-6
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 1
Years in Profession: 3
Courtney Wandelt
Teacher
- BA - Elementary Education, University of Vermont
- Connecticut Certification: Initial Educator License
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academ
Years at TSS: 1
Years in Profession: 3
Monica Woods
Teacher
- BS - Fitchburg State University
Years at TSS: 2
Years in Profession: 7
Elizabeth Zobel
Teacher
- BA - Miami University
- AMi - 6-12 Montessori Institute of Milwaukee
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 2
Years in Profession: 31
Administration and Staff
Dr. Hallie A. Buckingham
Associate Head of School for Student Engagement, Student Advisor
- BS - Southern Connecticut State University
- MS - Southern Connecticut State University
- University 6th Year - Southern Connecticut State University
- EdD - Southern Connecticut State University
- Connecticut Certification: School Administration
- Connecticut Certification: Special Education k-12
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 36
Years in Profession: 36
Tori Danton
School Programs Coordinator
Years at TSS: 1
Years in Profession: 3
Dr. Kathleen Gallagher
Associate Head of School for Administration, Student Advisor
- BA - College of New Rochelle
- MA - College of New Rochelle
- EdD - St. John Fisher College
- Connecticut Certification: Special Education
- Connecticut Certification: School Administration
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 31
Years in Profession: 31
Audra Hoag
Teacher, Director, Lower School, Department Head, Writing, Assistant Director, Summer Academic Program, Student Advisor
- BS - Saint Joseph's University
- MS - Saint Joseph's University
- CT Certified: Provisional Educator, Elementary Education, Grades 1-6
- CT Certified: Provisional Educator, Special Education, Comprehensive, Grades K-12
- Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
- Wilson Reading System Level I Certification
- Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 6
Years in Profession: 9
Julie Papp
Teacher, Director, Upper School, Department Head, Social Studies/Science, Student Advisor
- BA - Boston College
- MA - Fordham University
- Classroom Educator, Academy of Orton-Gillingham
Years at TSS: 21
Years in Profession: 26
Sharon Plante
Director of Education and Instructional Technology, 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
Years at TSS: 21
Years in Profession: 29
Dr. Benjamin N. Powers
Executive Director, The Southport School
Founder & Executive Director, The Southport CoLAB
- BA - La Salle University
- MBA - Rochester Institute of Technology
- DBA - Grenoble Ecole de Management
- Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy
- President, The Dyslexia Foundation
- Senior Scientist, Haskins Laboratories
- Director, Yale and UCONN Haskins Global Literacy Hub
- Lecturer, Yale School of Medicine; University of Connecticut
- Associate Research Professor Psychology and Educational Psychology, University of Connecticut
Years at TSS: 13
Years in Profession: 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
Years at TSS: 34
Years in Profession: 34
Samantha Berg
Director, Student Enrollment Management
- BS - Western Connecticut State University
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 11
Years in Profession: 18
Julie Ceja
Accounting Manager
- BS - Bloomsburg University
Years at TSS: 2
Years in Profession: 14
Alexis Czeterko
Project Manager, The Southport CoLAB
- BA - The George Washington University
- MA - Teachers College, Columbia University
Years at TSS: 2
Years in Profession: 16
Kolbe Duffey
Kitchen Support
- Brien McMahon High School
Years at TSS: 2
Years in Profession: 9
Isabelle Engelson
Executive Assistant
- BA - UConn, Storrs
- MA - Boston University
Years at TSS: 1
Years in Profession: 4
Rick Fedeli
Facilities Support
Years at TSS: 6
Years in Profession: 6
Mario Fiallo
Director of Facilities
- GED - Brien McMahon High School
Years at TSS: 25
Years in Profession: 37
Kate Haft
Director, Development
- BA - Marist College
Years at TSS: 2
Years in Profession: 15
Jodi Hanna
Front Office Administrator, Parent of Alumnus
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- BBA - Loyola University, Maryland
- MS - New York University
Years at TSS: 4
Years in Profession: 10
Meghan LaMonica
Teacher, School Counselor, Student Advisor
- BA - The Pennsylvania University
- MEd - Plymouth State University
- School Counseling Certification K-12
Years at TSS: 4
Years in Profession: 8
Kirk Melhuish
IT Technical Support Coordinator
- BA - University of New Haven
Years at TSS: 1
Years in Profession: 8
Patty O'Brien
Database Specialist
- BA - Lafayette College
Years at TSS: 2
Years in Profession: 21
Jimmy O'Hara
Facilities Manager
- Norwalk High School
Years at TSS: 3
Years in Profession: 18
Kristi Parisi
Business Manager
- BA - Iona College
Years at TSS: 2
Years in Profession: 26
Christine Restrepo
Director, Marketing & Communications
- BS - Sacred Heart University
Years at TSS: 1
Years in Profession: 25
Cadia Wiley
Teacher, School Counselor, Student Advisor
- BS - John Carroll University
- MEd - Cleveland State University
Years at TSS: 7
Years in Profession: 9