Jennifer G. Stackpole
Jenn was originally from West Haven, Connecticut, where she was born to Patricia and the late Raymond Giannotti. Along with her brother Ray, she was raised in Branford by her mother and stepfather, Tom Backes, where she graduated from Branford High School in 1989. Later in life, she would come full circle back to the high school to solidify her career. Jenn is very appreciative of the opportunities the Branford community has offered and proud to teach in her home town.
Interested in the areas of Health and Fitness, Jenn attended Southern Connecticut State University to focus on Physical Education. Through various field experiences, she realized teaching would become not only her primary area of study, but also her passion. At SCSU, she made the Dean’s List, was Vice President of the Physical Education Club and received the “Outstanding Student Major” award from the Connecticut Association of Health and Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in 1997. Jenn graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and later obtained a Master of Science in School Health Education.
While at SCSU, Jenn continued to work many jobs gaining experience in working with children and physical fitness. In New Haven, she worked as a substitute teacher, ran after school programs and volunteered with Project Pride. In the Branford community, she worked youth programs at the Recreation Department, was a summer school instructor for BHS and worked with adults teaching fitness classes at local gyms. She even spent time unknowingly, coaching the BHS girls’ softball team with her future father-in-law. These experiences helped to solidify her profession and led to her career in public school education.
Jenn began teaching Physical Education at North Haven Middle School and soon after, pursued an opportunity at Walsh Intermediate School. It was during those early teaching years that she trained in Project Adventure and advocated for the introduction of Health into the middle school curriculum. This was a first step in the direction of fulfilling her true passion of teaching both Health and Physical Education.
Since 2005, Jenn has taught Physical Education and Health at BHS and currently assumes the position of Department Leader. She continuously works to include holistic lessons necessary for healthy living. Knowing not all students are destined to follow traditional learning, Jenn has also been an avid proponent in offering non-traditional PE classes for students. In these Lifetime and Personal Fitness classes, activities of interest including yoga, weight lifting, pilates and holistic wellness. Within her health classes, Jenn included mindfulness training with peers and an addiction awareness program that included information she gained as a member of the Branford Counseling Center’s Secret Santa Program.
Having such a positive impact at BHS, in 2011, Jenn was chosen by her students to be the 2011 Graduation Commencement Speaker. She was also the co-advisor for the classes of 2013 and 2017. Jenn organized for the faculty and staff, yoga and meditation sessions as well as providing enrichment activities and professional development. She welcomed the opportunity to share with her students and the community the importance of fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle.
Together with her supportive husband, Mike and their children, Nathan and Kamryn, Jenn enjoys a healthy and adventurous lifestyle, most recently traveling the country as a family. When not on the road or at school, she can be seen supporting both her own children and the students of Branford at extracurricular functions. Committed always to health and wellness, Jenn will continue to make a healthy difference in the lives of others.
Interested in the areas of Health and Fitness, Jenn attended Southern Connecticut State University to focus on Physical Education. Through various field experiences, she realized teaching would become not only her primary area of study, but also her passion. At SCSU, she made the Dean’s List, was Vice President of the Physical Education Club and received the “Outstanding Student Major” award from the Connecticut Association of Health and Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in 1997. Jenn graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and later obtained a Master of Science in School Health Education.
While at SCSU, Jenn continued to work many jobs gaining experience in working with children and physical fitness. In New Haven, she worked as a substitute teacher, ran after school programs and volunteered with Project Pride. In the Branford community, she worked youth programs at the Recreation Department, was a summer school instructor for BHS and worked with adults teaching fitness classes at local gyms. She even spent time unknowingly, coaching the BHS girls’ softball team with her future father-in-law. These experiences helped to solidify her profession and led to her career in public school education.
Jenn began teaching Physical Education at North Haven Middle School and soon after, pursued an opportunity at Walsh Intermediate School. It was during those early teaching years that she trained in Project Adventure and advocated for the introduction of Health into the middle school curriculum. This was a first step in the direction of fulfilling her true passion of teaching both Health and Physical Education.
Since 2005, Jenn has taught Physical Education and Health at BHS and currently assumes the position of Department Leader. She continuously works to include holistic lessons necessary for healthy living. Knowing not all students are destined to follow traditional learning, Jenn has also been an avid proponent in offering non-traditional PE classes for students. In these Lifetime and Personal Fitness classes, activities of interest including yoga, weight lifting, pilates and holistic wellness. Within her health classes, Jenn included mindfulness training with peers and an addiction awareness program that included information she gained as a member of the Branford Counseling Center’s Secret Santa Program.
Having such a positive impact at BHS, in 2011, Jenn was chosen by her students to be the 2011 Graduation Commencement Speaker. She was also the co-advisor for the classes of 2013 and 2017. Jenn organized for the faculty and staff, yoga and meditation sessions as well as providing enrichment activities and professional development. She welcomed the opportunity to share with her students and the community the importance of fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle.
Together with her supportive husband, Mike and their children, Nathan and Kamryn, Jenn enjoys a healthy and adventurous lifestyle, most recently traveling the country as a family. When not on the road or at school, she can be seen supporting both her own children and the students of Branford at extracurricular functions. Committed always to health and wellness, Jenn will continue to make a healthy difference in the lives of others.