Dianne Dadio
Born to very proud parents, Mary and Jerry Buccelli, Dianne was the middle of three children with an older sister, Sharon and younger brother, Jerry. She was raised most of her early life in her mother’s home town of Madison, where she graduated from Daniel Hand High School and enjoyed playing field hockey, the guitar and singing in the choir.
Dianne attended Providence College for her first two years and then transferred to the University of Connecticut for a more specialized program in Special Education. Soon after graduating, she was recruited to teach at Yale Psychiatric Institute’s Cedarhurst School. For the beginning of her career, she expanded her learning in a therapeutic educational environment, working hard to reach troubled adolescents both in and out of the classroom. She was nominated “Teacher of the Year”, moved to a leadership position as Educational Coordinator and assisted in developing a strong behavior management program. Her experience at Cedarhurst afforded her invaluable skills working within a school community and paved the way for future endeavors. Dianne continued with her education at Southern Connecticut State University, earning a Master Degree in Agency Counseling and a 6th Year Degree in Educational Leadership.
An opportunity then presented itself to teach in the Branford Public Schools in 1994 and for the next fifteen years, was able to bring her teaching experiences “home” to public school. At WIS, her career solidified and she made countless connections with incredible students, staff and parents. She helped build a strong therapeutic component to special education services – working hard to reach the whole child, while bridging the gap between school and interpersonal challenges her students faced. Along with teaching, she collaborated in designing and implementing the Character Counts Program, co-led the Peer Mediation Program and incorporated Project Adventure initiatives into the classroom.
Continuing the journey of her career, Dianne then pursued a new endeavor as Dean of Students at Branford High School. As a school leader, she is genuine and reflective in her engagement and interactions with students, parents, educators and colleagues. She enhances the school community by empowering students to be the best they can be and is an advocate to all. Further, in her capacity as the district’s Safe School Climate Coordinator, she also works to ensure the well-being of students by promoting personal responsibility and student autonomy. Her positive impact is most felt in her natural ability to build relationships with students that foster mutual respect and trust.
Of all her job titles and experiences, what has brought Dianne the most rewarding satisfaction and personal pride is being the mother of her two sons, Austin and Casey. Both young men are graduates of Branford High School where they were also student athletes. Presently, living together in Arizona, Austin is employed at United Technologies and Casey with the Arizona Diamondbacks. With her family, Dianne is forever grateful for the many opportunities and experiences Branford has provided.
Dianne attended Providence College for her first two years and then transferred to the University of Connecticut for a more specialized program in Special Education. Soon after graduating, she was recruited to teach at Yale Psychiatric Institute’s Cedarhurst School. For the beginning of her career, she expanded her learning in a therapeutic educational environment, working hard to reach troubled adolescents both in and out of the classroom. She was nominated “Teacher of the Year”, moved to a leadership position as Educational Coordinator and assisted in developing a strong behavior management program. Her experience at Cedarhurst afforded her invaluable skills working within a school community and paved the way for future endeavors. Dianne continued with her education at Southern Connecticut State University, earning a Master Degree in Agency Counseling and a 6th Year Degree in Educational Leadership.
An opportunity then presented itself to teach in the Branford Public Schools in 1994 and for the next fifteen years, was able to bring her teaching experiences “home” to public school. At WIS, her career solidified and she made countless connections with incredible students, staff and parents. She helped build a strong therapeutic component to special education services – working hard to reach the whole child, while bridging the gap between school and interpersonal challenges her students faced. Along with teaching, she collaborated in designing and implementing the Character Counts Program, co-led the Peer Mediation Program and incorporated Project Adventure initiatives into the classroom.
Continuing the journey of her career, Dianne then pursued a new endeavor as Dean of Students at Branford High School. As a school leader, she is genuine and reflective in her engagement and interactions with students, parents, educators and colleagues. She enhances the school community by empowering students to be the best they can be and is an advocate to all. Further, in her capacity as the district’s Safe School Climate Coordinator, she also works to ensure the well-being of students by promoting personal responsibility and student autonomy. Her positive impact is most felt in her natural ability to build relationships with students that foster mutual respect and trust.
Of all her job titles and experiences, what has brought Dianne the most rewarding satisfaction and personal pride is being the mother of her two sons, Austin and Casey. Both young men are graduates of Branford High School where they were also student athletes. Presently, living together in Arizona, Austin is employed at United Technologies and Casey with the Arizona Diamondbacks. With her family, Dianne is forever grateful for the many opportunities and experiences Branford has provided.