Brian C. Festa
Brian Christopher Festa was born in May of 1949, in San Jose, CA. Brian came from a large family of brothers and sisters and graduated from Branford High School in 1967. He graduated from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, earning a Bachelor's Degree in economics. He also attended Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan and the University of Hartford where he earned a Master’s Degree.
Brian Festa's contributions to education are many. He was the consummate educator, mastering a wide variety of disciplines and effectively sharing his passion for learning and his immense knowledge with students and colleagues. He worked in Hartford, CT, in the Teacher Corps in the MAT teacher program. Brian taught mathematics in the New Haven Public School System for thirty-three years, ending his career at High School in the Community. One student at High School in the Community said that while they "never understood math, Mr. Festa's helpful ness made it clearer." Another commented, "Besides his helpfulness, he wins the Branford chili cook-off every year, is environmentally conscious and takes care of the flowers and bushes at HSC."
He taught several courses at Gateway Community College. He earned a Fulbright teacher exchange and he taught "math" in England and traveled around Europe, expanding his teaching capacity. Additionally, for many years, he was on the staff of PIMMS (a teacher education program aimed at increasing student's mastery of math and science) at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. Brian was active in the New Haven branch of the AFT (American Federation of Teachers) in New Haven.
Brian was involved in Branford, his home for forty-five years. Brian was a deacon at the First Congregational Church in Branford. Brian was a member of the Branford Representative Town Meeting (RTM) for twenty years, serving as the legislative body's lone Independent. In this role he was a champion of open government, civility and issues concerning the environment and education, including the needs of teachers. He was a member of the Rules and Ordinances Committee. He was a fair-minded individual who effectively built consensus. Brian was instrumental in founding the Branford Litter Committee and the annual fundraiser for the Community Dining Room, "Soup for All" held at the First Congregational Church of Branford. He supported worthy causes, including the Asian Rural Institute, Sierra Club, Dismas House of Vermont, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Branford Land Trust, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility and many other causes and organizations too numerous to mention.
In 1990, Brian married Karen Bartle of New Haven. They opened their dream for retirement in East Poultney, VT, “The Birdhouse Inn B & B" in 2004. He loved cooking, growing hot chilies, travel and baseball. Brian loved to entertain. In Vermont he continued his work with students as a math tutor and developer of a high school Math League and Math Competition with Green Mountain College. Karen Festa, Erin, his step-daughter, family, friends and the Town of Branford will miss him.
Brian Festa's contributions to education are many. He was the consummate educator, mastering a wide variety of disciplines and effectively sharing his passion for learning and his immense knowledge with students and colleagues. He worked in Hartford, CT, in the Teacher Corps in the MAT teacher program. Brian taught mathematics in the New Haven Public School System for thirty-three years, ending his career at High School in the Community. One student at High School in the Community said that while they "never understood math, Mr. Festa's helpful ness made it clearer." Another commented, "Besides his helpfulness, he wins the Branford chili cook-off every year, is environmentally conscious and takes care of the flowers and bushes at HSC."
He taught several courses at Gateway Community College. He earned a Fulbright teacher exchange and he taught "math" in England and traveled around Europe, expanding his teaching capacity. Additionally, for many years, he was on the staff of PIMMS (a teacher education program aimed at increasing student's mastery of math and science) at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. Brian was active in the New Haven branch of the AFT (American Federation of Teachers) in New Haven.
Brian was involved in Branford, his home for forty-five years. Brian was a deacon at the First Congregational Church in Branford. Brian was a member of the Branford Representative Town Meeting (RTM) for twenty years, serving as the legislative body's lone Independent. In this role he was a champion of open government, civility and issues concerning the environment and education, including the needs of teachers. He was a member of the Rules and Ordinances Committee. He was a fair-minded individual who effectively built consensus. Brian was instrumental in founding the Branford Litter Committee and the annual fundraiser for the Community Dining Room, "Soup for All" held at the First Congregational Church of Branford. He supported worthy causes, including the Asian Rural Institute, Sierra Club, Dismas House of Vermont, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Branford Land Trust, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility and many other causes and organizations too numerous to mention.
In 1990, Brian married Karen Bartle of New Haven. They opened their dream for retirement in East Poultney, VT, “The Birdhouse Inn B & B" in 2004. He loved cooking, growing hot chilies, travel and baseball. Brian loved to entertain. In Vermont he continued his work with students as a math tutor and developer of a high school Math League and Math Competition with Green Mountain College. Karen Festa, Erin, his step-daughter, family, friends and the Town of Branford will miss him.