Barbara S. Cote
Barbara Cote has lived, taught and been actively involved in Branford for most of her life.
Born in Worcester, MA in 1924, she was adopted fifteen months later and came to live with her parents, Laura and Calvin Sears, on Bryan Road near Branford Point. Barbara feels blessed to have had parents that provided "the security and continuity of a peaceful home full of unconditional love" and adds that "there was an abiding belief in God that permeated the family's way of life." She lived there until moving to New Haven, where she attended the Woodward School for 2nd through 6th grade, the Fair Haven Junior High School for 7th, 8th and 9th grades and the old Hillhouse High School for her sophomore through senior years. Barbara graduated in 1942 and continued her education for four years at New Haven State Teacher's College, now known as Southern Connecticut State University, where she earned her BS degree in Education. During her college years Barbara and friend Roberta were air raid wardens, protecting their home neighborhood of Beacon Avenue from World War II attacks.
Teaching in the farm country of Northford, CT was Barbara's next vocation. She remembers her first recess duty as a brand new teacher, when much to her amazement a large farm tractor slowly drove up the driveway and into the school yard where her K through 3 students were happily watching. Barbara corralled the children while wondering if this was a normal occurrence during recess in Northford. She later learned from her Principal, that it was simply a young farmer trying to get a good look at the newest "school marm."
On October 21, 1950, Barbara married her Navy Officer fiancé, Chief Quarter Master Eugene J. Cote and traveled the country from the East to the West Coast and back again. Barbara and Eugene were assigned to Newport RI for a few years. By that time they had a two year-old daughter, Patricia and a few years later twin boys, Michael and Robert were born.
The family settled in Branford and when the twins entered school, Barbara resumed her teaching career. She taught for twenty years, moving from the Canoe Brook School where she taught a double first and second grade, to the Harbor Street, Short Beach, Stony Creek and Damascus Schools, where she enjoyed teaching second graders. Barbara loved to teach reading, introducing her students to children's classic literature and music. One of her fondest memories is taking a "special" second grade class and their adult chaperones to Plymouth Plantation, site of the Pilgrim's first settlement, the Mayflower and Cranberry Museum. They also visited Edaville Railroad, stayed overnight at a church campground and put on a Pilgrim Indian program for their hosts. Many worried brows turned into smiles at the success of this trip.
Barbara continued to volunteer in the school after retiring in 1983. She read stories in the library, organized and performed with a children's bell choir, visited school on Thanksgiving dressed as a Pilgrim and also served as a substitute teacher. She volunteered her time at Hospice for over thirty years and continues to enjoy her friends and family in Branford.
Born in Worcester, MA in 1924, she was adopted fifteen months later and came to live with her parents, Laura and Calvin Sears, on Bryan Road near Branford Point. Barbara feels blessed to have had parents that provided "the security and continuity of a peaceful home full of unconditional love" and adds that "there was an abiding belief in God that permeated the family's way of life." She lived there until moving to New Haven, where she attended the Woodward School for 2nd through 6th grade, the Fair Haven Junior High School for 7th, 8th and 9th grades and the old Hillhouse High School for her sophomore through senior years. Barbara graduated in 1942 and continued her education for four years at New Haven State Teacher's College, now known as Southern Connecticut State University, where she earned her BS degree in Education. During her college years Barbara and friend Roberta were air raid wardens, protecting their home neighborhood of Beacon Avenue from World War II attacks.
Teaching in the farm country of Northford, CT was Barbara's next vocation. She remembers her first recess duty as a brand new teacher, when much to her amazement a large farm tractor slowly drove up the driveway and into the school yard where her K through 3 students were happily watching. Barbara corralled the children while wondering if this was a normal occurrence during recess in Northford. She later learned from her Principal, that it was simply a young farmer trying to get a good look at the newest "school marm."
On October 21, 1950, Barbara married her Navy Officer fiancé, Chief Quarter Master Eugene J. Cote and traveled the country from the East to the West Coast and back again. Barbara and Eugene were assigned to Newport RI for a few years. By that time they had a two year-old daughter, Patricia and a few years later twin boys, Michael and Robert were born.
The family settled in Branford and when the twins entered school, Barbara resumed her teaching career. She taught for twenty years, moving from the Canoe Brook School where she taught a double first and second grade, to the Harbor Street, Short Beach, Stony Creek and Damascus Schools, where she enjoyed teaching second graders. Barbara loved to teach reading, introducing her students to children's classic literature and music. One of her fondest memories is taking a "special" second grade class and their adult chaperones to Plymouth Plantation, site of the Pilgrim's first settlement, the Mayflower and Cranberry Museum. They also visited Edaville Railroad, stayed overnight at a church campground and put on a Pilgrim Indian program for their hosts. Many worried brows turned into smiles at the success of this trip.
Barbara continued to volunteer in the school after retiring in 1983. She read stories in the library, organized and performed with a children's bell choir, visited school on Thanksgiving dressed as a Pilgrim and also served as a substitute teacher. She volunteered her time at Hospice for over thirty years and continues to enjoy her friends and family in Branford.