Welcome to Orange!Introducing Our New Teachers

Denise Hennessy.84 KindergartenMary L. Tracy

Bachelors -- Tufts University

Masters – Southern CT State University

8 years experience: Calf Pen Meadow, Live Oaks, and Mathewson Schools in Milford

Reading Aide and Long-term Sub at Mary L. Tracy

Denise Hennessy

Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird

Favorite Children’s Book: A Toad for Tuesday, Harry Potter

Children’s book character: Hermione from Harry Potter is a conscientious student, and she is always there for her friends.

Favorite Movie: E.T.

Favorite Song: “One” by U2

Fun Fact: I have been to 42 U.S. states and have driven to 39 of those.

Highlight of your Summer: Driving to Yellowstone National Park with my family.

What do you wish you could do better? Play piano or guitar

The farthest place you’ve ever traveled: Hawaii

Favorite Quote: “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” - A.A. Milne

Jennifer AckerGrade 5 Turkey Hill

Bachelors and Masters -- Southern CT State University

7 years Experience: 21st Century Site Manager, Orange

5 years experience: Math Aide and Substitute Teacher, Orange

3 years experience – First LEGO League Coach and Coordinator

Jennifer AckerFavorite Book: You can’t make me choose! Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin

Favorite Children’s Book: Charlotte’s Web

Children’s book character: I like Annabeth Chase from Rick Riorden’s Percy Jackson series. She is strong, independent, and has a lot of “sass”- great qualities for a girl to have!

Favorite Movie: When Harry Met Sally

Favorite Song: “Don’t Stop Believing” - Journey

Fun Fact: I am the oldest of five children!

Highlight of your Summer: Spending time with my 9 month old daughter, Maddie. She experienced so many “firsts”- going in the pool, going to the beach, playing in the grass.

What do you wish you could do better? I would love to be more athletic!

The farthest place you’ve ever traveled: The Bahamas

Favorite Quote: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched- they must be felt with the heart”- Helen Keller

Jennifer ZieglerGrade 6 Turkey Hill

2 Bachelors Degrees (Elementary Ed and Spanish) -- Southern CT State University

16 years Experience (Kindergarten – Grade 8) –- Rocky Mount, NC; Bridgeport; Miami, FL; Bridgeport; New Haven

Jennifer Ziegler

Favorite Book: The Lovely Bones

Favorite Children’s Book: The Westing Game

Children’s book character: I would most like to be Gilly Hopkins because of her sassy attitude.

Favorite Movie: My Cousin Vinny

Favorite Song: “You Can’t Hurry Love” - Supremes

Fun Fact: I make the best brownies… ever!

Highlight of your Summer: Family trip to New Hampshire

What do you wish you could do better? Save money

The farthest place you’ve ever traveled: Los Angeles, CA

Favorite Quote: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela

Jennifer RussoArt

Bachelors -- Southern CT State University

Enrolled in Masters -- Southern CT State University

1 year Experience –- Rowayton, Norwalk

Assistant Program Manager – New Haven Lawn Club

Sales Associate -- Pottery Plus, Orange

Jennifer Russo

Favorite Book: The Five People You Meet in Heaven.

Favorite Children’s Book: Tar Beach, By Faith Ringgold

Children’s Book Character: Harold from Harold and the Purple Crayon. Like Harold, I am very creative, and believe that art is a way into a whole new world!

Favorite Movie: Mystic Pizza

Favorite Song: “Defying Gravity”- Idina Menzel, Wicked

Fun Fact: I love to dance! I have been a dancer for almost 20 years.

Highlight of your Summer: Getting to spend quality time with my newborn nephew/godson, Luca!

What do you wish you could do better? I wish I could sing better!

The farthest place you’ve ever traveled: Jamaica!

Favorite Quote: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” – The Little Prince

 

Eric Rothbart Physical Education

Bachelors -- Southern CT State University

Student Teaching –- Amity High School and Highland Elementary, Cheshire

4 years -- Soccer Coach for Ultimate Soccer Academy

4 years -- SCSU Varsity Soccer

Many honors and awards

Eric Rothbart

Favorite Book: any Harry Potter

Favorite Children’s Book: Oh, the Places You’ll Go

Children’s Book Character: I am like the Lorax because we both stand up and support what we believe in.

Favorite Movie: Remember the Titans

Favorite Song: “Broken”- Jack Johnson

Fun Fact: I have been a snow board instructor.

Highlight of your Summer: My trip to Aruba.

What do you wish you could do better? Stay organized.

The farthest place you’ve ever traveled: England

Favorite Quote: “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” – Confucius