Judy Spaar
Judy Spaar was born in Fort George G. Mead, Maryland, to Barbara and John Korn. Her father was a naval lieutenant and her mother was a nurse. The Korns raised Judy and her two sisters in Northford, Connecticut. Judy knew in third grade she wanted to be a teacher. She was greatly influenced by her teacher, Mrs. Baylis, who showed much love and kindness toward her students.
In 1982, Judy graduated from Mercy High School and in 1986, she received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Central Connecticut State University. In 1990, she obtained a Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Southern Connecticut State University.
In 1986, Judy was hired by Linda Chipkin to implement a new Language Enrichment and Development program, traveling during that school year, to all five elementary schools in Branford. The next year she was hired as a kindergarten teacher at Pine Orchard School, where she met her future husband, Keith Spaar.
Then, in September 1990, Branford consolidated all five elementary schools into three. At that time Judy moved to Sliney School under the leadership of Mrs. Kathleen Higgins who encouraged her to begin mentoring student teachers and first year teachers.
In 1992, Judy and Keith married and settled in Branford. Two years later, they had their first child, Christian and in 1999 their son Aedan. Both boys attended St. Mary School as well as Branford Public Schools. At St. Mary School, Judy initiated a birthday book club to help increase the number of books in its library.
Judy also worked with Linda Chipkin and Peter Stolzman in 1992, to create the Branford Education Association (BEA) Children’s Fund. The Children’s Fund continues to touch children’s lives and make a difference in many ways. She also initiated the “Toys from Teachers” toy drive to which the entire Branford Public Schools (BPS) community generously contributed. In 1996, the Connecticut Education Association awarded Judy the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award for her role in developing the BEA Children’s Fund.
When Branford made the decision to offer full day kindergarten, Judy implemented and piloted the program its first year. She helped children, who had been making three or four transitions daily, to acclimate to being in the same classroom all day. As the movement to full day kindergarten progressed, she began guiding other kindergarten teachers through the transition from half day to a full day program.
In 2015, Judy’s former principal, Susan Iwanicki, nominated her as a Hometown Hero for her dedication to her students, her school and her community. She was recognized that year as a Hometown Hero by the Hartford Courant. In 2016, she was asked by Robin Comey and Bruce Storm, former Superintendent of BPS, to join the Branford Early Childhood Collaborative as a board member, a position she still holds. Judy always volunteered over the summer break to work with children for whom English was not their primary language as well as children who needed help maintaining their skills. Judy also was asked to share her expertise on kindergarten readiness and the importance of play at area preschools.
Judy’s impact goes beyond the classroom. She coordinates the Sunshine activities at Sliney in an effort to keep everyone connected and feeling like a family.
Teaching children is Judy’s passion and she dedicates an enormous amount of time to motivating her students to reach their potential and she does so in a kind and caring way. She truly embodies her favorite quote: “Teachers who love teaching, teach children to love learning.”
In 1982, Judy graduated from Mercy High School and in 1986, she received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Central Connecticut State University. In 1990, she obtained a Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Southern Connecticut State University.
In 1986, Judy was hired by Linda Chipkin to implement a new Language Enrichment and Development program, traveling during that school year, to all five elementary schools in Branford. The next year she was hired as a kindergarten teacher at Pine Orchard School, where she met her future husband, Keith Spaar.
Then, in September 1990, Branford consolidated all five elementary schools into three. At that time Judy moved to Sliney School under the leadership of Mrs. Kathleen Higgins who encouraged her to begin mentoring student teachers and first year teachers.
In 1992, Judy and Keith married and settled in Branford. Two years later, they had their first child, Christian and in 1999 their son Aedan. Both boys attended St. Mary School as well as Branford Public Schools. At St. Mary School, Judy initiated a birthday book club to help increase the number of books in its library.
Judy also worked with Linda Chipkin and Peter Stolzman in 1992, to create the Branford Education Association (BEA) Children’s Fund. The Children’s Fund continues to touch children’s lives and make a difference in many ways. She also initiated the “Toys from Teachers” toy drive to which the entire Branford Public Schools (BPS) community generously contributed. In 1996, the Connecticut Education Association awarded Judy the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award for her role in developing the BEA Children’s Fund.
When Branford made the decision to offer full day kindergarten, Judy implemented and piloted the program its first year. She helped children, who had been making three or four transitions daily, to acclimate to being in the same classroom all day. As the movement to full day kindergarten progressed, she began guiding other kindergarten teachers through the transition from half day to a full day program.
In 2015, Judy’s former principal, Susan Iwanicki, nominated her as a Hometown Hero for her dedication to her students, her school and her community. She was recognized that year as a Hometown Hero by the Hartford Courant. In 2016, she was asked by Robin Comey and Bruce Storm, former Superintendent of BPS, to join the Branford Early Childhood Collaborative as a board member, a position she still holds. Judy always volunteered over the summer break to work with children for whom English was not their primary language as well as children who needed help maintaining their skills. Judy also was asked to share her expertise on kindergarten readiness and the importance of play at area preschools.
Judy’s impact goes beyond the classroom. She coordinates the Sunshine activities at Sliney in an effort to keep everyone connected and feeling like a family.
Teaching children is Judy’s passion and she dedicates an enormous amount of time to motivating her students to reach their potential and she does so in a kind and caring way. She truly embodies her favorite quote: “Teachers who love teaching, teach children to love learning.”
Letters of Nomination
Judy Spaar has been teaching in Branford schools for over 30 years. Judy is an outstanding teacher who sets a standard for teaching that is well beyond excellent. Superlative would be a more accurate description of her professional and personal skills. The students in her class can expect to learn how to be the best students they can be. They will learn that and much more from a talented, kind and caring person who knows how to motivate students to achieve at their highest potential.
Judy spends a tremendous amount of extra time preparing the needed materials and resources that lead to the wonderful learning experiences each student will benefit from. This is due to her careful preparation everyday: arriving very early each morning and staying late every afternoon. She does this because she cares. She cares that each student has the opportunity to perform at his or her best.
Judy is not just a teacher. She has been and is the heart of our school community. At extracurricular events for students, and others for adults, Judy contributes her time, effort, money when appropriate, and talents to organize, setup, and pretty much make those events have a very happy and satisfying outcome.
Judy has been a mentor to many young teachers. She has been a cooperating teacher with student teachers by working closely with their respective schools of teaching. In addition, Judy worked as a teacher-leader for the Seedlings Collaborative Summer Workshops. Judy helped create the Branford Education Association Children's Fund Project.
I highly recommend and nominate Mrs. Judy Spaar as a candidate to the Branford Education Hall of Fame for 2019.
Judy spends a tremendous amount of extra time preparing the needed materials and resources that lead to the wonderful learning experiences each student will benefit from. This is due to her careful preparation everyday: arriving very early each morning and staying late every afternoon. She does this because she cares. She cares that each student has the opportunity to perform at his or her best.
Judy is not just a teacher. She has been and is the heart of our school community. At extracurricular events for students, and others for adults, Judy contributes her time, effort, money when appropriate, and talents to organize, setup, and pretty much make those events have a very happy and satisfying outcome.
Judy has been a mentor to many young teachers. She has been a cooperating teacher with student teachers by working closely with their respective schools of teaching. In addition, Judy worked as a teacher-leader for the Seedlings Collaborative Summer Workshops. Judy helped create the Branford Education Association Children's Fund Project.
I highly recommend and nominate Mrs. Judy Spaar as a candidate to the Branford Education Hall of Fame for 2019.
I am writing to nominate Judith Korn Spaar for the Branford Education Hall of Fame. Mrs. Spaar has been a kindergarten teacher for over 30 years, most of them spent at JBS school. She started her career in the early 80's as a literacy aide and was soon hired as a full time kindergarten teacher. During her long career, Mrs. Spaar has worked tirelessly and non-stop toward fulfilling Branford's mission to educate all of its children to their fullest potential. (I would like to add, although I know this does not factor in your decision, that Mrs. Spaar has always been warm and responsive in her interactions with children. I have not only subbed for her but have also been in her classroom on many occasions. We as teachers know children thrive in a loving, structured environment and that is exactly what Mrs. Spaar provides.) In her many years as a teacher, she mentored student teachers who were working to attain permanent certification. During the time Branford made the decision to offer all day kindergarten, she was indefatigable in her work on developing a full time kindergarten curriculum. Each summer Mrs. Spaar volunteers to work with struggling (for personal as well as academic reasons) children whom she has taught and who are going into first grade to ensure that the skills they have attained in her classroom are not forgotten over the summer. She has also volunteered over the summer to work with students for whom English was not their primary language. Mrs. Spaar wanted to make sure the gains they had made during the school year remained strong over the summer break. In addition, for many years she was a facilitator for the Seedlings Teacher Collaborative. Seedlings brings teachers from diverse school environments together for a week of professional development where educators "forge ongoing relationships and community connections and leave with the tools to support them throughout their career" (from Seedlings website). As a teacher, I have personally benefited from this experience, however, this endeavor would not be possible without the hard and discerning work of the facilitators. Finally, as part of a birthday celebration, Mrs. Spaar requested that in lieu of a birthday gift donations should be made to the non-profit organization Feed Branford Kids. Mrs. Spaar is, and has been, a tremendous asset to our children and our education system. For these reasons, I nominate her for the Education Hall of Fame.