Harold Brewer
Harold Brewer's career in the Branford school system began in 1937 after two years as a teacher in Cromwell. A 1935 graduate of Bridgewater (Massachusetts) State Teacher's College with a B.S. in Education, he later received an M.A. from New York University (1947) and also studied at Boston University, Yale, and Southern Connecticut State College.
During World War II, Harold interrupted his career in education and served in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific from 1944 to 1946, receiving an honorable discharge with the rank of Captain, Medical Administrative Corps. In 1950, shortly after his return to the Branford Schools, he was appointed principal of Branford Junior High School. Harold continued in this position for twenty years, until his retirement in 1970, and was a formative influence on the many teachers he worked with during those years, as well as parents and students.
Organization and attention to detail were hallmarks of Brewer's administration6from the school's physical appearance to rules and regulations and expectations from the faculty. Yet he did not overlook the humane aspects of education. Setting high standards, he constantly reminded the staff that they were involved in public education and were to do their very best for the children the parents sent them. Involved in every aspect of the school, Harold attended both school functions and faculty picnics and always welcomed parents into the school. Throughout his administration he ensured that every child who came into the junior high school received the best education suited to his or her needs.
He had a special appreciation for the age group of students he worked with and recognized their changing needs as the years progressed. During his tenure the curriculum changed from an academic approach to basic subjects to one that included home economics, industrial arts, physical education, and the arts curriculum6in fact, one very similar to that of today’s present Walsh Intermediate School. He also recognized the thrust toward individualized instruction with more student participation and choice in programs and schedules and in his last year implemented an open-space program in the auditorium. In announcing his retirement, Brewer noted that his greatest source of satisfaction had been "to watch the growing maturity and personality of the youngsters as they developed from the time they entered . . . until graduation."
Married to Cornelia Osborne Brewer, who taught kindergarten at Damascus (now Tisko) School, the couple has a son, David, and a daughter, Margaret. Inveterate travelers, the pair went around the world in 1965 and has traveled to the British Isles twenty times, in addition to trips to Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, and other European countries. In 1991 Harold published what he calls a "modest volume" of poetry entitled Free Verses by H.H.B.
For many years, Harold served as a deacon at Branford's First Baptist Church; and from 1991 to the present, he and Cornelia have both been elected honorary deacons of that church. In 1971, he and 1998 Hall of Fame inductee Eunice Medlyn founded the Branford Retired Teachers Association.
Those who worked with him reflect that Harold's greatest impact on education was his influence on the people with whom he came into contact. His integrity was always apparent, and he applied his high ideals not only to his expectations of others but also to his expectations of himself. He was in all respects a professional and a gentleman. He supported his teachers, welcomed parents into the school, and put the needs of the students above all else. What better tribute could be said of a lifelong educator?
During World War II, Harold interrupted his career in education and served in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific from 1944 to 1946, receiving an honorable discharge with the rank of Captain, Medical Administrative Corps. In 1950, shortly after his return to the Branford Schools, he was appointed principal of Branford Junior High School. Harold continued in this position for twenty years, until his retirement in 1970, and was a formative influence on the many teachers he worked with during those years, as well as parents and students.
Organization and attention to detail were hallmarks of Brewer's administration6from the school's physical appearance to rules and regulations and expectations from the faculty. Yet he did not overlook the humane aspects of education. Setting high standards, he constantly reminded the staff that they were involved in public education and were to do their very best for the children the parents sent them. Involved in every aspect of the school, Harold attended both school functions and faculty picnics and always welcomed parents into the school. Throughout his administration he ensured that every child who came into the junior high school received the best education suited to his or her needs.
He had a special appreciation for the age group of students he worked with and recognized their changing needs as the years progressed. During his tenure the curriculum changed from an academic approach to basic subjects to one that included home economics, industrial arts, physical education, and the arts curriculum6in fact, one very similar to that of today’s present Walsh Intermediate School. He also recognized the thrust toward individualized instruction with more student participation and choice in programs and schedules and in his last year implemented an open-space program in the auditorium. In announcing his retirement, Brewer noted that his greatest source of satisfaction had been "to watch the growing maturity and personality of the youngsters as they developed from the time they entered . . . until graduation."
Married to Cornelia Osborne Brewer, who taught kindergarten at Damascus (now Tisko) School, the couple has a son, David, and a daughter, Margaret. Inveterate travelers, the pair went around the world in 1965 and has traveled to the British Isles twenty times, in addition to trips to Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, and other European countries. In 1991 Harold published what he calls a "modest volume" of poetry entitled Free Verses by H.H.B.
For many years, Harold served as a deacon at Branford's First Baptist Church; and from 1991 to the present, he and Cornelia have both been elected honorary deacons of that church. In 1971, he and 1998 Hall of Fame inductee Eunice Medlyn founded the Branford Retired Teachers Association.
Those who worked with him reflect that Harold's greatest impact on education was his influence on the people with whom he came into contact. His integrity was always apparent, and he applied his high ideals not only to his expectations of others but also to his expectations of himself. He was in all respects a professional and a gentleman. He supported his teachers, welcomed parents into the school, and put the needs of the students above all else. What better tribute could be said of a lifelong educator?