Anna Puglia
Anna Puglia has been part of the Branford Public School family since 1988. She has received a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education with a major in Social Studies, a Master of Science degree in Reading and Sixth Year in Education Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University. Before Anna's career in administration, Anna was the History Department Chairperson at St. Mary's High School in New Haven and a math and history teacher in Branford High School's Horizons Program. Currently Anna is an Assistant Principal at Branford High School and has been since 1997. She has been recognized by the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) for her work and commitment to the Legislative Committee from 2002-2008 and in 2005 was nominated by CAS for Assistant Principal of the Year. She also served as adjunct instructor at the University of New Haven for graduate education majors and was a consultant for ACT for portfolio assessments for students from 1995- 1997. Anna reviewed and received acknowledgment for the book publication Food Fight by Dr. Kelly Brownell, a professor at Yale University and A Legacy of Learning by David Kearns, Deputy U.S. Secretary of Education.
Passionate, thoughtful and scholarly are only some of the words that best describe Anna. Teacher, administrator or "little engine that could", Anna always stresses the need for putting students first. She is never afraid to question whether we are using "all" of the resources at our disposal so that no child is left behind. So many of her efforts; taking a student out to purchase a semi-formal dress or quietly approaching a student and placing two prom tickets in his or her hand, take place out of the attention of most, only known to the students themselves; and Anna would have it no other way. That she always performs with fairness, consistency and humanity is a major reason why Anna is so respected and admired by parents and faculty alike.
"Captain Courageous", was a nickname given her as she led the high school each year through the Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT). This assessment of student results enables teachers to adjust both the curriculum and instruction and improve student learning for everyone. Anna's overriding philosophy is that all students can learn. Her resume gives testimony to her pursuit of knowledge and her continuing efforts to grow professionally. She has constantly sought to learn about and share instructional strategies that impact student learning. Her study of brain research has contributed much to her approach to working with teachers, introducing them to new ideas about effective instructional strategies. Her knowledge of 'best practices' provides teachers with alternative learning strategies that will improve student learning. She has been a leader working with teachers on various literacy strategies that enrich the teaching-learning process.
Anna credits her 11th grade teacher, Elizabeth Hasting, with nurturing her life-long love of learning, but those who truly know her can attest that her true inspiration is her family; husband Michael, sons Mark and Christopher, daughter Sara and grandchildren, Luke and Natalie.
Passionate, thoughtful and scholarly are only some of the words that best describe Anna. Teacher, administrator or "little engine that could", Anna always stresses the need for putting students first. She is never afraid to question whether we are using "all" of the resources at our disposal so that no child is left behind. So many of her efforts; taking a student out to purchase a semi-formal dress or quietly approaching a student and placing two prom tickets in his or her hand, take place out of the attention of most, only known to the students themselves; and Anna would have it no other way. That she always performs with fairness, consistency and humanity is a major reason why Anna is so respected and admired by parents and faculty alike.
"Captain Courageous", was a nickname given her as she led the high school each year through the Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT). This assessment of student results enables teachers to adjust both the curriculum and instruction and improve student learning for everyone. Anna's overriding philosophy is that all students can learn. Her resume gives testimony to her pursuit of knowledge and her continuing efforts to grow professionally. She has constantly sought to learn about and share instructional strategies that impact student learning. Her study of brain research has contributed much to her approach to working with teachers, introducing them to new ideas about effective instructional strategies. Her knowledge of 'best practices' provides teachers with alternative learning strategies that will improve student learning. She has been a leader working with teachers on various literacy strategies that enrich the teaching-learning process.
Anna credits her 11th grade teacher, Elizabeth Hasting, with nurturing her life-long love of learning, but those who truly know her can attest that her true inspiration is her family; husband Michael, sons Mark and Christopher, daughter Sara and grandchildren, Luke and Natalie.