Joan L. Callahan
Joan Callahan was born in 1950, in Brooklyn, New York. She moved to Trumbull, Connecticut in 1953. Her older sister Phyllis (Doug) Honychurch, is a nurse at Christian Heritage School in Trumbull. Joan attended Trumbull Public Schools, graduating with honors in 1968. She married Charles Callahan in 1973. They have two sons, Dave (Paula) parents of Cooper, Ben and Scout and Dan (Margaret) parents of Lily, Autumn and Gabrielle.
Joan received her B.S. degree in Physical Education, Recreation and Dance ('72) and her M.S. in Physical Education for the Handicapped ('76) from Southern Connecticut State University. She began her commitment to the Connecticut Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) as a student delegate. After graduation, she was Regional Director for CAHPERD, hosting mini-regional conferences and planning a Connecticut State Physical Education Convention. She was hired to teach at Branford High School in 1973. Joan introduced elective courses appealing to those who would enjoy a less traditional approach to physical education. She was assistant field hockey coach for one year, assistant and head track and field coach for four years and she re-instituted the girls' gymnastic team.
The renovated Sliney School reopened in 1979 with Joan as a physical education teacher. The Sliney years were marked by many special events and activities in the PE program. The Helper Program encouraged students to be their best in the classroom so they could earn the privilege of assisting younger students. Circus programs were planned and presented to the nearby nursery schools. An outstanding "Under the Sea" program, which was nominated for awards, transformed the gym with life size fish drawings on canvas, activities performed to the underwater themes, accompanied by the Beatles. Perhaps most spectacular were the all-day Field Days for each grade. Joan's family could be found setting up the field by 7:00 AM, until others came to help. Every summer would find Joan making the three hundred required "JBS" medals to be awarded the following year. The Olympic Field was nominated for a Celebration of Excellence Award.
Another of Joan's creations was the Sportsmanship Award, for sportsmanship and good character building, presented to one boy and girl in each grade, every month. Joan's credo was "get yourself moving." She remains a believer that if we learn to love to move we will find a proper channel to help us stay physically fit and active for life.
Joan and her husband were instrumental in resurrecting the wrestling program. After having to teach at several different schools each week, Joan's final twelve years were at Mary Tisko School. The integrated curriculum found all subject areas to be taught in the gym. Many lessons needed to be taught in the Tisko hallways due to the many special programs held in the gym. The situation required Joan's innovative and creative use of unusual, personal supplies.
She enjoyed working with music teacher, Dave Langlais, on fourth grade musicals. She developed the "Tisko Tappers." Joan had twenty student teachers from SCSU to work with her. Over $100,000 was raised for the American Heart Association under the "Jump Rope for Heart" program while Joan was coordinator.
Joan enjoys being busy with her, "Mondays with Gramie" and trips to Delaware. Her other love is her church. She initiated the Children's Church program in '81. She has taught Sunday school, been a Deaconess, Pioneer Girl Leader and coaches a summer sport's program. She feels blessed by God's leading and acknowledges and thanks Him for a very special thirty-five years.
Joan received her B.S. degree in Physical Education, Recreation and Dance ('72) and her M.S. in Physical Education for the Handicapped ('76) from Southern Connecticut State University. She began her commitment to the Connecticut Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) as a student delegate. After graduation, she was Regional Director for CAHPERD, hosting mini-regional conferences and planning a Connecticut State Physical Education Convention. She was hired to teach at Branford High School in 1973. Joan introduced elective courses appealing to those who would enjoy a less traditional approach to physical education. She was assistant field hockey coach for one year, assistant and head track and field coach for four years and she re-instituted the girls' gymnastic team.
The renovated Sliney School reopened in 1979 with Joan as a physical education teacher. The Sliney years were marked by many special events and activities in the PE program. The Helper Program encouraged students to be their best in the classroom so they could earn the privilege of assisting younger students. Circus programs were planned and presented to the nearby nursery schools. An outstanding "Under the Sea" program, which was nominated for awards, transformed the gym with life size fish drawings on canvas, activities performed to the underwater themes, accompanied by the Beatles. Perhaps most spectacular were the all-day Field Days for each grade. Joan's family could be found setting up the field by 7:00 AM, until others came to help. Every summer would find Joan making the three hundred required "JBS" medals to be awarded the following year. The Olympic Field was nominated for a Celebration of Excellence Award.
Another of Joan's creations was the Sportsmanship Award, for sportsmanship and good character building, presented to one boy and girl in each grade, every month. Joan's credo was "get yourself moving." She remains a believer that if we learn to love to move we will find a proper channel to help us stay physically fit and active for life.
Joan and her husband were instrumental in resurrecting the wrestling program. After having to teach at several different schools each week, Joan's final twelve years were at Mary Tisko School. The integrated curriculum found all subject areas to be taught in the gym. Many lessons needed to be taught in the Tisko hallways due to the many special programs held in the gym. The situation required Joan's innovative and creative use of unusual, personal supplies.
She enjoyed working with music teacher, Dave Langlais, on fourth grade musicals. She developed the "Tisko Tappers." Joan had twenty student teachers from SCSU to work with her. Over $100,000 was raised for the American Heart Association under the "Jump Rope for Heart" program while Joan was coordinator.
Joan enjoys being busy with her, "Mondays with Gramie" and trips to Delaware. Her other love is her church. She initiated the Children's Church program in '81. She has taught Sunday school, been a Deaconess, Pioneer Girl Leader and coaches a summer sport's program. She feels blessed by God's leading and acknowledges and thanks Him for a very special thirty-five years.