Jeannette L. Palluzzi
Jeannette "Jay" Palluzzi brings to mind the word giving". She is a person who personally and professionally has never stopped trying to make life just a little easier, never stopped going the extra step, and never stopped encouraging all around her to be better. She has brought her enormous vitality for life and for people to the Branford Schools and has become a model for all.
After graduating from Sao Paulo Graded School in Brazil, Jay returned to the United States and received the first of several degrees from Southern Connecticut State University in 1955. She went on to receive her Masters as a reading consultant and 6th year degrees in ESOL (English as a Second Language) and Special Education from SCSU as well.
While an undergraduate Jay was particularly active in athletics. Basketball, tennis, swimming and field hockey were at the top of her list. Membership in the Athletic Association and earning the coveted Athletic Jacket were the rewards for her commitment and skill. Her love of athletics and the joy of competition were passed on to her sons, Alex, Jake, Michael and Tony, each a proud member of BHS teams and dedicated sportsmen. Jake and Tony also followed their mother into the field of education and became teachers. Jay and her husband, Alex, are fixtures at Branford sporting and cultural events, encouraging, supporting and appreciating the efforts of everyone. Their sincere interest and approval have helped many students.
Professionally, Jay has established a solid and well known reputation. In 1983 Jay, with fellow teacher Lenora Isenstadt, pioneered a computerized reading lab in Branford High. Its creation and their skill in developing and running it made both sought after as speakers and advisers up and down the eastern seaboard. Jay's reputation, as the teacher who could get non-English speakers to learn English, attracted students and their families to Branford.
When the State of Connecticut introduced the BEST Program to improve and support teacher training, Jay became an Assessor, Mentor, Master Mentor and Portfolio Scorer. She was a prime contributor in enhancing teacher training and has been a true gem for the Branford School system. She selflessly has taken novice teachers under her wing and helped prepare them for Connecticut accreditation. All this was done without financial compensation but because she believed she had ability and a responsibility to the profession and to others wanting to enter it.
Jay's interests have led her to active roles in the Connecticut and International Reading Association, to being a founder of the Physical Education Graduate Association and to being a Teacher Design Partner for the American College Testing Service (ACT). Jay has won the admiration and love of all she has touched. As one of her admirers has written, "Mrs. Palluzzi did not care if we were poor or a minority family, she gave her unselfishness, kindness and dedication to a student who needed help." Another supporter wrote, "I often thought how perfect that those who had trouble reading would benefit from one of the most skilled and yet patient of teachers while working with Jay Palluzzi. How perfect that for those new to our country, one of the first Americans they would come to know well would be their teacher Jay Palluzzi." How perfect indeed!
After graduating from Sao Paulo Graded School in Brazil, Jay returned to the United States and received the first of several degrees from Southern Connecticut State University in 1955. She went on to receive her Masters as a reading consultant and 6th year degrees in ESOL (English as a Second Language) and Special Education from SCSU as well.
While an undergraduate Jay was particularly active in athletics. Basketball, tennis, swimming and field hockey were at the top of her list. Membership in the Athletic Association and earning the coveted Athletic Jacket were the rewards for her commitment and skill. Her love of athletics and the joy of competition were passed on to her sons, Alex, Jake, Michael and Tony, each a proud member of BHS teams and dedicated sportsmen. Jake and Tony also followed their mother into the field of education and became teachers. Jay and her husband, Alex, are fixtures at Branford sporting and cultural events, encouraging, supporting and appreciating the efforts of everyone. Their sincere interest and approval have helped many students.
Professionally, Jay has established a solid and well known reputation. In 1983 Jay, with fellow teacher Lenora Isenstadt, pioneered a computerized reading lab in Branford High. Its creation and their skill in developing and running it made both sought after as speakers and advisers up and down the eastern seaboard. Jay's reputation, as the teacher who could get non-English speakers to learn English, attracted students and their families to Branford.
When the State of Connecticut introduced the BEST Program to improve and support teacher training, Jay became an Assessor, Mentor, Master Mentor and Portfolio Scorer. She was a prime contributor in enhancing teacher training and has been a true gem for the Branford School system. She selflessly has taken novice teachers under her wing and helped prepare them for Connecticut accreditation. All this was done without financial compensation but because she believed she had ability and a responsibility to the profession and to others wanting to enter it.
Jay's interests have led her to active roles in the Connecticut and International Reading Association, to being a founder of the Physical Education Graduate Association and to being a Teacher Design Partner for the American College Testing Service (ACT). Jay has won the admiration and love of all she has touched. As one of her admirers has written, "Mrs. Palluzzi did not care if we were poor or a minority family, she gave her unselfishness, kindness and dedication to a student who needed help." Another supporter wrote, "I often thought how perfect that those who had trouble reading would benefit from one of the most skilled and yet patient of teachers while working with Jay Palluzzi. How perfect that for those new to our country, one of the first Americans they would come to know well would be their teacher Jay Palluzzi." How perfect indeed!