John M. "Skip" Schwanfelder, III
John M. "Skip" Schwanfelder, III entered the world on November 30, 1945, the first of four sons born to Frances and John M. Schwanfelder. Skip grew up in Branford, fishing, hunting, hiking, and being a part of nature. His support of environmental activities was molded early on by what he learned from his father and from his days as a Boy Scout. Skip's elementary school education at Harrison Avenue and Laurel Street prepared him for high school.
Skip graduated from the new Branford High in 1963 and immediately joined the U.S. Naval Reserve. Activated the next year, he served on a destroyer and then with a naval security group in Scotland. Released from active duty in 1966, having taken extension courses through the University of Maryland, Skip attended the University of Connecticut and earned a bachelor's degree and Connecticut State Teachers Certification.
During this time, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Naval Reserve. Skip became a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, the National Education Association and the Connecticut Education Association. Skip began his teaching career at Walsh Intermediate School in 1971; teaching 7th and 8th grade social studies. He was appointed Social Studies Department Chairman two years later while attending Southern Connecticut State University, earning a Master’s Degree in social science-education.
He also joined the U.S. Army National Guard at this time. Skip was sent to the service's Non-Commissioned Officers Academy, graduating with honor, and was awarded staff sergeant’s stripes, and was then assigned as a squad leader in the 26th Cavalry of the 26th Infantry Division. He received an honorable discharge after four years.
Skip Schwanfelder was a member of the Branford Education Association, serving as its vice-president from 1982-1986. Skip coached the Branford High School Ice Hockey Club for five years, worked with ERACE, the Branford Adult Continuing Education Pro gram and served as High School Diploma Lead Social Studies Teacher. He was enrolled in educational/technology workshops and classes from 1988-2005. Skip taught the 8th grade remedial studies program in the Branford Summer Studies Program. For the last six years of his career in Branford, Skip served as Dean of Students and a social studies teacher at the high school.
Skip received the Walsh Intermediate School Faculty Excellence Award for the 1987- 1988 school year. He was a member of the Guilford Conservation Commission for eight years, serving as its vice chairman from 1988-1992. Skip was recording secretary for the Guilford Sideliners Club (sports support group) from 1995-1999.
Recognized in Who's Who Among American Teachers in 1996, Skip was requested by the BHS Class of 2003 to be its commencement speaker. From 2002-2004, he was on the Alumni Council of Sigma Phi Epsilon, at UCONN. Skip is a member of both the UCONN and SCSU Alumni Associations. He has been a member of American Legion Post #83 from 2002-2009, serving as Junior Vice Commander, 2003-2004 and Senior Commander, 2004-2005. He is a member/supporter of the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary in New Mexico; the National Wildlife Federation, Defenders of Wildlife; Sierra Club; Audubon Society, the World Wildlife Fund and a member of the Yankee Division (26th Infantry Division) Veterans Association; Naval Crypto Logic Veterans Association and American Legion Post #322 in Georgia.
Since leaving Branford, Skip has worked in the Education Department, Loving Seas, EPCOT, Walt Disney World in Florida; for Tavares, FL, Lake County Board of Education as a substitute teacher in grade 7-12 and now as a substitute in Effingham County, Springfield, Georgia.
Skip has two children; Gretchen and Thomas. Skip's daughter Elizabeth lost her battle to cancer some years ago. Skip has a three-year-old granddaughter, Aubrey. He is engaged to Pamela McCoy.
Skip graduated from the new Branford High in 1963 and immediately joined the U.S. Naval Reserve. Activated the next year, he served on a destroyer and then with a naval security group in Scotland. Released from active duty in 1966, having taken extension courses through the University of Maryland, Skip attended the University of Connecticut and earned a bachelor's degree and Connecticut State Teachers Certification.
During this time, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Naval Reserve. Skip became a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, the National Education Association and the Connecticut Education Association. Skip began his teaching career at Walsh Intermediate School in 1971; teaching 7th and 8th grade social studies. He was appointed Social Studies Department Chairman two years later while attending Southern Connecticut State University, earning a Master’s Degree in social science-education.
He also joined the U.S. Army National Guard at this time. Skip was sent to the service's Non-Commissioned Officers Academy, graduating with honor, and was awarded staff sergeant’s stripes, and was then assigned as a squad leader in the 26th Cavalry of the 26th Infantry Division. He received an honorable discharge after four years.
Skip Schwanfelder was a member of the Branford Education Association, serving as its vice-president from 1982-1986. Skip coached the Branford High School Ice Hockey Club for five years, worked with ERACE, the Branford Adult Continuing Education Pro gram and served as High School Diploma Lead Social Studies Teacher. He was enrolled in educational/technology workshops and classes from 1988-2005. Skip taught the 8th grade remedial studies program in the Branford Summer Studies Program. For the last six years of his career in Branford, Skip served as Dean of Students and a social studies teacher at the high school.
Skip received the Walsh Intermediate School Faculty Excellence Award for the 1987- 1988 school year. He was a member of the Guilford Conservation Commission for eight years, serving as its vice chairman from 1988-1992. Skip was recording secretary for the Guilford Sideliners Club (sports support group) from 1995-1999.
Recognized in Who's Who Among American Teachers in 1996, Skip was requested by the BHS Class of 2003 to be its commencement speaker. From 2002-2004, he was on the Alumni Council of Sigma Phi Epsilon, at UCONN. Skip is a member of both the UCONN and SCSU Alumni Associations. He has been a member of American Legion Post #83 from 2002-2009, serving as Junior Vice Commander, 2003-2004 and Senior Commander, 2004-2005. He is a member/supporter of the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary in New Mexico; the National Wildlife Federation, Defenders of Wildlife; Sierra Club; Audubon Society, the World Wildlife Fund and a member of the Yankee Division (26th Infantry Division) Veterans Association; Naval Crypto Logic Veterans Association and American Legion Post #322 in Georgia.
Since leaving Branford, Skip has worked in the Education Department, Loving Seas, EPCOT, Walt Disney World in Florida; for Tavares, FL, Lake County Board of Education as a substitute teacher in grade 7-12 and now as a substitute in Effingham County, Springfield, Georgia.
Skip has two children; Gretchen and Thomas. Skip's daughter Elizabeth lost her battle to cancer some years ago. Skip has a three-year-old granddaughter, Aubrey. He is engaged to Pamela McCoy.