Diane Pappacoda
I am honored to nominate Diane Papacoda for the Branford Educational Hall of fame! Diane has worked at Branford Early Learning Center for 33 years. She was a teacher for 28 years, and has been the Director for 5 years.
Diane has had a remarkable effect on the BELC. Her students have invited her to ball games, swim meets, plays, graduations, showers, and weddings, which she will always attend if possible. Her students always remember the dinosaur digs, the mud days, bike days and learning sign language during their time in Diane's classroom.
Many of her students have donated time at the BELC, done their Eagle Scout Project at the school, have completed their High School Capstone at the BELC and have come back to do student teaching at the BELC. This is a testament to the loving environment Diane and her teachers provide to their students.
Many students bring their children to the Center because they are still part of the BELC family! She treats children and families as not only individuals but as a family member .
There is always something exciting going on at the school, whether it is a pot luck dinner, a winter festival or learning about butterflies and how to pollinate flowers.All ideas Diane and her team consistently create for these children.
During her years as Director, Diane has established a curriculum with her teachers, that is based on kindness, respect, education and family. BELC, is accredited by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), is a School Readiness School, and was named Best Day Care on the Shoreline in 2019. She has implemented the Pyramid Program as well. She received the Beacon Award in 2019 for her involvement in Volunteering in town.
Diane is also involved with the community, encouraging her families to participate in community activities, such as, the Scarecrows on the Green, Dancing at the Branford Festival, participating in First Night, the Community Dinning Room Craft Night, or Week of the Young Child.
Diane is a Board member of the CDR, the BECC, and the School Readiness Board. She is co-chair of the Round Table meetings, a BECC forum providing free professional development for directors, teachers and caregivers in Branford and surrounding towns.
Diane and her husband Nick can often be seen at town activities! They have 2 children, Joe (Deb) and Alison( Paul), and two grandchildren, Grace and Michael.
I hope you will take her nomination into consideration this year and recognize her as what I like to call 'one of the great ones'.
Diane has had a remarkable effect on the BELC. Her students have invited her to ball games, swim meets, plays, graduations, showers, and weddings, which she will always attend if possible. Her students always remember the dinosaur digs, the mud days, bike days and learning sign language during their time in Diane's classroom.
Many of her students have donated time at the BELC, done their Eagle Scout Project at the school, have completed their High School Capstone at the BELC and have come back to do student teaching at the BELC. This is a testament to the loving environment Diane and her teachers provide to their students.
Many students bring their children to the Center because they are still part of the BELC family! She treats children and families as not only individuals but as a family member .
There is always something exciting going on at the school, whether it is a pot luck dinner, a winter festival or learning about butterflies and how to pollinate flowers.All ideas Diane and her team consistently create for these children.
During her years as Director, Diane has established a curriculum with her teachers, that is based on kindness, respect, education and family. BELC, is accredited by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), is a School Readiness School, and was named Best Day Care on the Shoreline in 2019. She has implemented the Pyramid Program as well. She received the Beacon Award in 2019 for her involvement in Volunteering in town.
Diane is also involved with the community, encouraging her families to participate in community activities, such as, the Scarecrows on the Green, Dancing at the Branford Festival, participating in First Night, the Community Dinning Room Craft Night, or Week of the Young Child.
Diane is a Board member of the CDR, the BECC, and the School Readiness Board. She is co-chair of the Round Table meetings, a BECC forum providing free professional development for directors, teachers and caregivers in Branford and surrounding towns.
Diane and her husband Nick can often be seen at town activities! They have 2 children, Joe (Deb) and Alison( Paul), and two grandchildren, Grace and Michael.
I hope you will take her nomination into consideration this year and recognize her as what I like to call 'one of the great ones'.