Theresa Baldino
Fortunately for the people of Branford, Theresa Baldino' s love of children naturally led her to a career in education. Terri spent a happy childhood growing up in the Fair Haven section of New Haven, CT, with her loving parents, Susan and Edward Sirico. Her dad, a Purple Heart Veteran of WWII and a talented musician, could be seen in Terri's classroom every Veteran's Day, speaking to Terri's students. Sue, Terri's mom, owned a successful catering business for many years. She, too, frequented Tisko School's kindergartens as a volunteer. As a teenager, Terri attended and graduated from St. Mary's High School in New Haven. She went on to graduate cum laude from Sacred Heart University in Bridgeport in 1970. In 1993, Terri received her M.S. degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Bridgeport.
Terri began her career in education in 1970, teaching developmental kindergarten at West Hills School in New Haven, where she also taught first and second grade. In 1982, Terri began working in Branford as a substitute teacher and later as a remedial math aide. When her talent and dedication were recognized, she was hired in 1986 to teach third grade at John B. Sliney School. During her four years there she served as the BEA representative and was an officer in the Branford High School Performing Arts Committee for Parents. For two decades, from 1990 to 2010, the students, parents and staff of Tisko School were honored to have Terri as part of their family. While there, she served on many school committees, as well as being the urban/suburban exchange representative with the New Haven Public School System. Terri was also a member of the charitable Joey Fund Committee and supported the organization at its many fund-raising events. While at Tisko School, Terri earned the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year Award and was a three time recipient of "Who's Who among American Teachers."
Terri's career focus was always the well-being and academic success of the children in her care. She achieved this through her compassionate nature, sense of humor, strong work ethic and dedication to teaching. Parents of Terri's students recall how well she understood and brought out the best in their children, academically, emotionally and socially. Terri fostered a respect for each individual, which truly made the students in her classes feel like a family. She continues to follow each student, attending plays and graduations to congratulate them for their accomplishments. A favorite writing activity for Terri's third graders was composing a letter to themselves, telling about the important events that occurred during their year in third grade. Terri would keep these letters in a "time capsule" to be opened when they graduate from BHS. It is always an emotional and joyous time for Terri and her students when they meet and read the letters every year at graduation.
The importance of education in Terri's life is also evident in the accomplishments of her family. She and Peter, her husband of forty-one years and also a teacher, have two wonderfully talented children, Laura and Brian and two grandchildren, Nate and Kurt. They are in Terri's words, "the greatest gifts anyone could wish for."
Terri began her career in education in 1970, teaching developmental kindergarten at West Hills School in New Haven, where she also taught first and second grade. In 1982, Terri began working in Branford as a substitute teacher and later as a remedial math aide. When her talent and dedication were recognized, she was hired in 1986 to teach third grade at John B. Sliney School. During her four years there she served as the BEA representative and was an officer in the Branford High School Performing Arts Committee for Parents. For two decades, from 1990 to 2010, the students, parents and staff of Tisko School were honored to have Terri as part of their family. While there, she served on many school committees, as well as being the urban/suburban exchange representative with the New Haven Public School System. Terri was also a member of the charitable Joey Fund Committee and supported the organization at its many fund-raising events. While at Tisko School, Terri earned the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year Award and was a three time recipient of "Who's Who among American Teachers."
Terri's career focus was always the well-being and academic success of the children in her care. She achieved this through her compassionate nature, sense of humor, strong work ethic and dedication to teaching. Parents of Terri's students recall how well she understood and brought out the best in their children, academically, emotionally and socially. Terri fostered a respect for each individual, which truly made the students in her classes feel like a family. She continues to follow each student, attending plays and graduations to congratulate them for their accomplishments. A favorite writing activity for Terri's third graders was composing a letter to themselves, telling about the important events that occurred during their year in third grade. Terri would keep these letters in a "time capsule" to be opened when they graduate from BHS. It is always an emotional and joyous time for Terri and her students when they meet and read the letters every year at graduation.
The importance of education in Terri's life is also evident in the accomplishments of her family. She and Peter, her husband of forty-one years and also a teacher, have two wonderfully talented children, Laura and Brian and two grandchildren, Nate and Kurt. They are in Terri's words, "the greatest gifts anyone could wish for."