George Mischler
George was born in Branford in 1911, receiving his education in the Branford Public Schools and graduating from BHS in 1929. He was accepted into Holy Cross but deferred a year to earn tuition money. He worked that year at the Yale Medical School, as it was his intention to be pre-med in college. He entered Holy Cross in 1930 and graduated four years later in the depth of the Great Depression. George later received graduate degrees from the California Institute of Technology and Yale University
The dire economic times forced George to forgo medical school and become a laborer to help support his family. In the late 1930's, George started teaching at Branford High School. When World War II began, he was among the first in Branford to enter the military, going to Fort Devens for training. He was assigned to the 15th Army Air Force Weather Wing where he trained to be a meteorologist at Chanute Field in Illinois. His first assignments were to open weather stations at new air fields in the United States. His reputation grew as a leader who could get the job done and resulted in his assignment to the General Staff that oversaw all meteorological bases. He was stationed in the Pacific Theater, most notably in the Philippines. In early 1946, after four years in the military, George was given an honorable discharge and immediately went back to Branford High School to teach biology, physics, Latin and English. He married teaching colleague Ann Dritsas in the late 1950's, about the time he was appointed assistant principal. In addition, he became supervisor of summer school and adult education, leading both programs from their infancy to become burgeoning services for Branford.
Active in community support organizations, George used his talents and energies to foster and provide services for community members. He served as treasurer of the Shoreline Torch Club and chairman of the Guilford Family Counseling Service.
Although he had become a highly respected and effective administrator, George was, in his heart, always a teacher. He loved the classroom. His warm personality, joyful sense of humor and copious knowledge meshed perfectly to create a teacher who brought out the best in his students and earned their admiration. He had a great ability to turn socially rough-cut students into sensitive and polished young adults. Frequently, George became the matchmaker in helping juniors find dates for the prom and other social occasions. In 1955, the BHS senior class dedicated its yearbook to him.
His teaching traits easily transferred to his administrative functions. He became an effective mentor and confidant for new teachers, often serving as the catalyst that resulted in many of "his teachers" becoming superior, humanistic professionals. George's brother Bob Mischler, who served at Cheshire H.S. with distinction, said of his brother, "I know I am bias, but George was always a joy to be with. He was one of the most caring, giving persons I have known." It is a sentiment that George's colleagues at Branford High School were in total agreement.
The dire economic times forced George to forgo medical school and become a laborer to help support his family. In the late 1930's, George started teaching at Branford High School. When World War II began, he was among the first in Branford to enter the military, going to Fort Devens for training. He was assigned to the 15th Army Air Force Weather Wing where he trained to be a meteorologist at Chanute Field in Illinois. His first assignments were to open weather stations at new air fields in the United States. His reputation grew as a leader who could get the job done and resulted in his assignment to the General Staff that oversaw all meteorological bases. He was stationed in the Pacific Theater, most notably in the Philippines. In early 1946, after four years in the military, George was given an honorable discharge and immediately went back to Branford High School to teach biology, physics, Latin and English. He married teaching colleague Ann Dritsas in the late 1950's, about the time he was appointed assistant principal. In addition, he became supervisor of summer school and adult education, leading both programs from their infancy to become burgeoning services for Branford.
Active in community support organizations, George used his talents and energies to foster and provide services for community members. He served as treasurer of the Shoreline Torch Club and chairman of the Guilford Family Counseling Service.
Although he had become a highly respected and effective administrator, George was, in his heart, always a teacher. He loved the classroom. His warm personality, joyful sense of humor and copious knowledge meshed perfectly to create a teacher who brought out the best in his students and earned their admiration. He had a great ability to turn socially rough-cut students into sensitive and polished young adults. Frequently, George became the matchmaker in helping juniors find dates for the prom and other social occasions. In 1955, the BHS senior class dedicated its yearbook to him.
His teaching traits easily transferred to his administrative functions. He became an effective mentor and confidant for new teachers, often serving as the catalyst that resulted in many of "his teachers" becoming superior, humanistic professionals. George's brother Bob Mischler, who served at Cheshire H.S. with distinction, said of his brother, "I know I am bias, but George was always a joy to be with. He was one of the most caring, giving persons I have known." It is a sentiment that George's colleagues at Branford High School were in total agreement.