Ellen McDonnell Ferguson
Born April 3, 1936, Ellen McDonnell was the first child and only daughter of John McDonnell and Marie Fogarty. After graduating from St. Mary's High School in New Haven, she matriculated at Albertus Magnus College, where she graduated in 1958 with a degree in English. She later earned a master's degree at Southern Connecticut State University. Early in her teaching career, Ellen taught in the Amity school system, as well as in New Haven at a time of some turmoil in most city school systems. Her skills in communication, as well as in the classroom, earned her the role of Public Information Officer for the New Haven Schools; and she also served as a member of the Superintendent's Cabinet.
In 1973 Ellen married Raymond E Ferguson, and son Niall was born the following year. Ellen was no stranger to Branford, as her family had a summer home in Hotchkiss Grove. In 1977 the couple decided to relocate, and they bought a home in Sunset Hills-virtually across the street from Ellen's college classmate and future BHS colleague Marylou O'Shea.
After some years away from the classroom for her related work in New Haven and for child rearing, Ellen returned as a substitute teacher at Branford High School in 1980 and received a contract the following year to teach ninth grade, at that time housed in the intermediate school. When the ninth grade moved back into the high school, Ellen's assignment was broadened to teaching English to other grades as well. After being named Chairperson of the English Department, she held that position until her retirement in 1999. In 2001, Ellen was appointed to the Branford Board of Education to complete an unexpired term and at the time of her sudden death last September was a candidate for re-election. Fellow Board members had nothing but praise for Ellen, observing that-among other things-her hands-on classroom experience and her understanding of curriculum development were great assets to the Board. Superintendent of Schools Bruce Storm noted that she "took the Board work to a new level."
As a teacher, Ellen worked diligently to improve students' learning ability. She was a motivated teacher, admired and esteemed by both her colleagues and her students. She established a reputation for teaching excellence, as she developed a highly humanistic teaching style. She set high standards for her students and continually encouraged them to grow. Her classes provided a nurturing environment where mutual respect and high expectations for learning were in the forefront. Her ability to make English literature come alive for her students and her insight into means to encourage interdisciplinary learning were acknowledged by her peers as exceptional gifts to the learning community at BHS.
As an educational leader, first as Chair of the English Department and later as a member of the Board of Education, Ellen's contributions were outstanding. Among her most prominent assets where her abilities to listen and to absorb and form creative suggestions and opinions. Under her leadership, a strong correlation developed between the English and Social Studies Departments. She was especially skillful in obtaining input from divergent elements and forging an atmosphere of consensus through civil discourse and mutual respect.
Ellen was a past president of the Albertus Magnus Alumni Association and had been named Alumna of the Year. She was also a Life Member of the Catholic Charity League of New Haven and a member of the New Haven Woman's Club and had served as a volunteer at Branford's Camp Totoket.
In retirement Ellen began playing bridge again and also took up golf. She delighted in the marriage of son Niall in February 2003 to Elizabeth Koshetz and the couple's move to Branford; grand son Charles McDonnell Ferguson was born February 14. 2004.
Ellen was an effective teacher and educational leader whose contributions to education in Branford are truly impressive. A woman of highly polished human shills and keen insight, only her extraordinary warmth as a human being surpassed her performance as a stellar educator, in every facet of her person. Ellen Ferguson was special.
In 1973 Ellen married Raymond E Ferguson, and son Niall was born the following year. Ellen was no stranger to Branford, as her family had a summer home in Hotchkiss Grove. In 1977 the couple decided to relocate, and they bought a home in Sunset Hills-virtually across the street from Ellen's college classmate and future BHS colleague Marylou O'Shea.
After some years away from the classroom for her related work in New Haven and for child rearing, Ellen returned as a substitute teacher at Branford High School in 1980 and received a contract the following year to teach ninth grade, at that time housed in the intermediate school. When the ninth grade moved back into the high school, Ellen's assignment was broadened to teaching English to other grades as well. After being named Chairperson of the English Department, she held that position until her retirement in 1999. In 2001, Ellen was appointed to the Branford Board of Education to complete an unexpired term and at the time of her sudden death last September was a candidate for re-election. Fellow Board members had nothing but praise for Ellen, observing that-among other things-her hands-on classroom experience and her understanding of curriculum development were great assets to the Board. Superintendent of Schools Bruce Storm noted that she "took the Board work to a new level."
As a teacher, Ellen worked diligently to improve students' learning ability. She was a motivated teacher, admired and esteemed by both her colleagues and her students. She established a reputation for teaching excellence, as she developed a highly humanistic teaching style. She set high standards for her students and continually encouraged them to grow. Her classes provided a nurturing environment where mutual respect and high expectations for learning were in the forefront. Her ability to make English literature come alive for her students and her insight into means to encourage interdisciplinary learning were acknowledged by her peers as exceptional gifts to the learning community at BHS.
As an educational leader, first as Chair of the English Department and later as a member of the Board of Education, Ellen's contributions were outstanding. Among her most prominent assets where her abilities to listen and to absorb and form creative suggestions and opinions. Under her leadership, a strong correlation developed between the English and Social Studies Departments. She was especially skillful in obtaining input from divergent elements and forging an atmosphere of consensus through civil discourse and mutual respect.
Ellen was a past president of the Albertus Magnus Alumni Association and had been named Alumna of the Year. She was also a Life Member of the Catholic Charity League of New Haven and a member of the New Haven Woman's Club and had served as a volunteer at Branford's Camp Totoket.
In retirement Ellen began playing bridge again and also took up golf. She delighted in the marriage of son Niall in February 2003 to Elizabeth Koshetz and the couple's move to Branford; grand son Charles McDonnell Ferguson was born February 14. 2004.
Ellen was an effective teacher and educational leader whose contributions to education in Branford are truly impressive. A woman of highly polished human shills and keen insight, only her extraordinary warmth as a human being surpassed her performance as a stellar educator, in every facet of her person. Ellen Ferguson was special.