Judith Early
Judith Early was a classroom science teacher in the Branford School System for thirty-three years until her retirement in 2001. The daughter of Marion Mclaughlin and the late Arthur McLaughlin, Judy graduated from the Hamden School System and entered Southern Connecticut State Teachers College as a freshman in 1964. Four years later, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and looked forward to the beginning of her professional career as a teacher.
Judy came to Branford only by chance. When she was being assigned to student teaching, she had no car. Her only option was to go to a town where one of her friends would be able to give her a ride. It turned out that Branford was the only town that had two student teacher openings, one in the High School and the other in the Junior High. Her friend got the high school assignment, which Judith really wanted, and since she was supplying the ride, Judy got the junior high. Judy met and began training with JoAnn Donadio, a veteran science teacher at Branford Junior High School on Eades Street and the rest is history.
It was during her training period that Judy was exposed to an educational situation where students were assigned by homogeneous grouping. Therefore, classes ran the gamut from accelerated to those needing special instruction. Judy was an exceptional student teacher and handled assigned tasks efficiently and competently. It soon became apparent that she was able to relate to all pupils, no matter on what level they functioned. Branford was fortunate when Judy was hired to teach science at the junior high level in 1968. The Junior High, overcrowded for several years, was preparing to close and be come part of a new intermediate school, which would contain grades 5-8. The new school would be the first of its kind in the region to be built on the concept of team teaching in an open space environment and all departments were in a state of flux trying to devise a curriculum for the new situation. The science department, which now included Judy, was one of the first to change the curriculum from basic textbooks and lecture style to an individual hands-on approach to learning. Individual units were developed in the fields of biology, physical science and earth science which would take into account individual differences and permit students to work at their own pace.
Although a "new" teacher, Judy made significant contributions to these units. Many of these units or their revisions are still in use at WIS today. It was during 1971 that Judy became Mrs. Eugene Early, marrying a math teach at the Junior High. At first there was some confusion about their status as teachers together in the same school but fortunately this old requirement was quickly abandoned.
During the period from 1968-1993, Judy received a Fifth Year Certificate, a Master of Science and a 6th Year Certificate in Administration and Supervision from Southern Connecticut State University. Each of these degrees added considerable knowledge in their respective areas and this knowledge was evident throughout her tenure.
At the Intermediate School her responsibilities included all planning, instruction, modification and grading for approximately one hundred students annually. She was a member of the Professional Development Central Committee, Branford Public Schools and Co-chair of Professional Development (PD) in the Branford School System. As Co-chair, she helped set annual goals for approximately three hundred staff members, prepared a menu of workshops for each professional development day, supervised staff sign up for workshops, provided materials for presenters, collected attendance and evaluation forms. She even arranged for coffee and breakfast. Each year, Judy and her Co-chair presented assessment findings and accomplishments to the Broad of Education. If this wasn't enough, for twelve years, Judy worked on the preparation of the BIS/WIS yearbook. She helped with school dances including the Carnival Dance for younger students.
Judy often reminisces about her career, especially her introduction to 7th grade students and team teaching. In respect to the 7th graders she states that as a rule they were entertaining and challenging. She learned to love the age group and in retrospect would not want to teach any other level. Working as part of an interdisciplinary team gave her the opportunity to discuss student achievement and personalities with other team members and plan strategies that best addressed student problems.
Her retirement in 2001 has made it possible for Judy to pursue her many interests including reading, golf, cooking, going to and watching the UCONN women's basketball and to travel with her husband or friends at times other than school vacation time. She volunteers at Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic where she records science textbooks. She has not left education entirely as she has been involved with the State of Connecticut's BEST program where she has scored BEST portfolios in science. The BEST portfolio assessment is a State of Connecticut requirement for second year teachers. Judy is also a member of the Membership Committee CEA-Retired. Judy's life has been one of service; service to her students, peers and community. As a final testimony to her willingness to give of herself and of her time, she is now taking care of her mother who will be eighty-seven at the time of her induction.
Judy came to Branford only by chance. When she was being assigned to student teaching, she had no car. Her only option was to go to a town where one of her friends would be able to give her a ride. It turned out that Branford was the only town that had two student teacher openings, one in the High School and the other in the Junior High. Her friend got the high school assignment, which Judith really wanted, and since she was supplying the ride, Judy got the junior high. Judy met and began training with JoAnn Donadio, a veteran science teacher at Branford Junior High School on Eades Street and the rest is history.
It was during her training period that Judy was exposed to an educational situation where students were assigned by homogeneous grouping. Therefore, classes ran the gamut from accelerated to those needing special instruction. Judy was an exceptional student teacher and handled assigned tasks efficiently and competently. It soon became apparent that she was able to relate to all pupils, no matter on what level they functioned. Branford was fortunate when Judy was hired to teach science at the junior high level in 1968. The Junior High, overcrowded for several years, was preparing to close and be come part of a new intermediate school, which would contain grades 5-8. The new school would be the first of its kind in the region to be built on the concept of team teaching in an open space environment and all departments were in a state of flux trying to devise a curriculum for the new situation. The science department, which now included Judy, was one of the first to change the curriculum from basic textbooks and lecture style to an individual hands-on approach to learning. Individual units were developed in the fields of biology, physical science and earth science which would take into account individual differences and permit students to work at their own pace.
Although a "new" teacher, Judy made significant contributions to these units. Many of these units or their revisions are still in use at WIS today. It was during 1971 that Judy became Mrs. Eugene Early, marrying a math teach at the Junior High. At first there was some confusion about their status as teachers together in the same school but fortunately this old requirement was quickly abandoned.
During the period from 1968-1993, Judy received a Fifth Year Certificate, a Master of Science and a 6th Year Certificate in Administration and Supervision from Southern Connecticut State University. Each of these degrees added considerable knowledge in their respective areas and this knowledge was evident throughout her tenure.
At the Intermediate School her responsibilities included all planning, instruction, modification and grading for approximately one hundred students annually. She was a member of the Professional Development Central Committee, Branford Public Schools and Co-chair of Professional Development (PD) in the Branford School System. As Co-chair, she helped set annual goals for approximately three hundred staff members, prepared a menu of workshops for each professional development day, supervised staff sign up for workshops, provided materials for presenters, collected attendance and evaluation forms. She even arranged for coffee and breakfast. Each year, Judy and her Co-chair presented assessment findings and accomplishments to the Broad of Education. If this wasn't enough, for twelve years, Judy worked on the preparation of the BIS/WIS yearbook. She helped with school dances including the Carnival Dance for younger students.
Judy often reminisces about her career, especially her introduction to 7th grade students and team teaching. In respect to the 7th graders she states that as a rule they were entertaining and challenging. She learned to love the age group and in retrospect would not want to teach any other level. Working as part of an interdisciplinary team gave her the opportunity to discuss student achievement and personalities with other team members and plan strategies that best addressed student problems.
Her retirement in 2001 has made it possible for Judy to pursue her many interests including reading, golf, cooking, going to and watching the UCONN women's basketball and to travel with her husband or friends at times other than school vacation time. She volunteers at Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic where she records science textbooks. She has not left education entirely as she has been involved with the State of Connecticut's BEST program where she has scored BEST portfolios in science. The BEST portfolio assessment is a State of Connecticut requirement for second year teachers. Judy is also a member of the Membership Committee CEA-Retired. Judy's life has been one of service; service to her students, peers and community. As a final testimony to her willingness to give of herself and of her time, she is now taking care of her mother who will be eighty-seven at the time of her induction.