Deb Bliven
Deb Bliven knew at an early age that her life would be devoted to children. She recalls proclaiming to her mother as she got off the bus and ran inside to play school, ''Mommy, I'm going to be a second grade teacher, just like Mrs. Mordacai."
Deb attended Mercy High School in Middletown. While attending Southern Connecticut State University, Deb volunteered regularly in an Integrated Day classroom in North Haven. There the students were developing a genuine love for learning because their teacher encouraged them to construct knowledge through their own interests. As Deb began to formulate her philosophy of education, the term "student choice" became her mantra.
In 1988, Deb was a student teacher in Nancy Jones' second grade classroom at the Pine Orchard School. Deb remains indebted to Rowena Gatta for helping her to be hired as an instructional aide in 1989. In 1990, Deb taught kindergarten at the Indian Neck School. Deb's childhood dream became a reality when she moved to a newly renovated second grade classroom at the Mary R. Tisko School in 1991. There she worked with Mark Rabinowitz, whom she credits as her life-long mentor. Deb thrived under Mark’s leadership by day and earned her master's degree in Early Childhood Education by night.
Deb's love for learning soon led her to the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, where she regularly attends institutes, Saturday reunions and seminars. Sharing what she learns with her colleagues is important to Deb because she feels the quality of teaching is the single biggest in-school influence on student learning. In 2000, Deb took a leave of absence to obtain her MBA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and received a Sixth Year Diploma in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University.
In her free time, Deb volunteers at the Connecticut Hospice and as a bereavement support group facilitator, for those who have lost a pregnancy or infant. Mrs. Bliven's Kids Care Club was instituted for the students' practice of performing charitable or benevolent actions. Deb's fourth grade students volunteer once a month at The Orchard House. Her students read aloud, paint, play BINGO, sing and chat with the folks there. The students also volunteer at Tisko by assisting in the art room during the kindergarten art classes and helping the youngsters at dismissal time. They donate items to local animal shelters and create cards for the patients at the CT Hospice.
In 2007, Deb and her husband, Gary, were blessed with twins, Allie and Taylor. They reside in Northford, where she was raised and enjoy vacationing at Lake Winnipesaukee every summer. Deb was nominated for Branford Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 2011. She has served on numerous district and school-wide committees, presents professional development workshops to educators and mentors new teachers. Branford is fortunate to have a teacher who has worked tirelessly to promote an educationally rich environment that fosters lifelong learning and philanthropy both at school and in our community.
Deb attended Mercy High School in Middletown. While attending Southern Connecticut State University, Deb volunteered regularly in an Integrated Day classroom in North Haven. There the students were developing a genuine love for learning because their teacher encouraged them to construct knowledge through their own interests. As Deb began to formulate her philosophy of education, the term "student choice" became her mantra.
In 1988, Deb was a student teacher in Nancy Jones' second grade classroom at the Pine Orchard School. Deb remains indebted to Rowena Gatta for helping her to be hired as an instructional aide in 1989. In 1990, Deb taught kindergarten at the Indian Neck School. Deb's childhood dream became a reality when she moved to a newly renovated second grade classroom at the Mary R. Tisko School in 1991. There she worked with Mark Rabinowitz, whom she credits as her life-long mentor. Deb thrived under Mark’s leadership by day and earned her master's degree in Early Childhood Education by night.
Deb's love for learning soon led her to the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, where she regularly attends institutes, Saturday reunions and seminars. Sharing what she learns with her colleagues is important to Deb because she feels the quality of teaching is the single biggest in-school influence on student learning. In 2000, Deb took a leave of absence to obtain her MBA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and received a Sixth Year Diploma in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University.
In her free time, Deb volunteers at the Connecticut Hospice and as a bereavement support group facilitator, for those who have lost a pregnancy or infant. Mrs. Bliven's Kids Care Club was instituted for the students' practice of performing charitable or benevolent actions. Deb's fourth grade students volunteer once a month at The Orchard House. Her students read aloud, paint, play BINGO, sing and chat with the folks there. The students also volunteer at Tisko by assisting in the art room during the kindergarten art classes and helping the youngsters at dismissal time. They donate items to local animal shelters and create cards for the patients at the CT Hospice.
In 2007, Deb and her husband, Gary, were blessed with twins, Allie and Taylor. They reside in Northford, where she was raised and enjoy vacationing at Lake Winnipesaukee every summer. Deb was nominated for Branford Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 2011. She has served on numerous district and school-wide committees, presents professional development workshops to educators and mentors new teachers. Branford is fortunate to have a teacher who has worked tirelessly to promote an educationally rich environment that fosters lifelong learning and philanthropy both at school and in our community.