Kevin McDonough
Mention the name Kevin McDonough to any of his former students or colleagues and you will instantly see a smile come across their face. This is because for forty years Kevin has made whatever school he was in a fun place to be.
Kevin grew up in New Haven and graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1962 and from Providence College in 1966, with a degree in French. In 1968, he graduated from George Washington University with a degree in Russian. Kevin first came to Branford in 1969 to teach French and to begin a Russian program at Branford Junior High. Branford's finances never allowed the Russian program to become a reality but Kevin quickly established a reputation as a gifted teacher who could reach every student through humor. Nicknames, imitations, quick wit and making fun of himself were trademarks that made him the most popular of teachers. Administrators quickly realized Kevin's ability to relate to students that no one else could reach, so when the new Intermediate School opened in 1972, he was assigned students with academic or behavioral problems. He initiated activities such as Friday student vs. faculty football and basketball games and several times brought the United Nations Russian volleyball team to play an all-star Branford team.
In 1978, Kevin left the Branford School System to assume a guidance counselor position in Guilford where he went on to become head of guidance and an assistant principal at Adams Middle School and Guilford High School and interim principal at the elementary level. After retiring from Guilford in 2003, Kevin returned to Branford and currently serves as the Dean of Students at Branford High School. Since his return he has been instrumental in the development of the Mentoring Program and the Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking. He has totally immersed himself in school activities and has assisted with the volleyball and baseball teams and been a supporter of every school activity.
Kevin enjoys making fun of himself but, in reality, he is an extremely intelligent individual with very diverse interests. He holds advance degrees in French, Russian, Guidance and Administration. For over twenty-five years he has been a lead singer in a locally popular group and his wealth of knowledge of 1950's and 60's music is unequaled. His group does many charitable events, including many for the Branford Counseling Center. Faculty members also feel the impact he has on students where he finds ways to get so many of them involved in activities that make school more fun for them and their students.
He is also an outstanding athlete who has participated and coached basketball, base ball and volleyball and is presently involved with an inner city boxing program in New Haven.
Kevin and his wife Jane have two adult children, Matthew and Katie. Kevin is truly a Renaissance man who has made the Branford Public Schools a better place for students and staff.
Kevin grew up in New Haven and graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1962 and from Providence College in 1966, with a degree in French. In 1968, he graduated from George Washington University with a degree in Russian. Kevin first came to Branford in 1969 to teach French and to begin a Russian program at Branford Junior High. Branford's finances never allowed the Russian program to become a reality but Kevin quickly established a reputation as a gifted teacher who could reach every student through humor. Nicknames, imitations, quick wit and making fun of himself were trademarks that made him the most popular of teachers. Administrators quickly realized Kevin's ability to relate to students that no one else could reach, so when the new Intermediate School opened in 1972, he was assigned students with academic or behavioral problems. He initiated activities such as Friday student vs. faculty football and basketball games and several times brought the United Nations Russian volleyball team to play an all-star Branford team.
In 1978, Kevin left the Branford School System to assume a guidance counselor position in Guilford where he went on to become head of guidance and an assistant principal at Adams Middle School and Guilford High School and interim principal at the elementary level. After retiring from Guilford in 2003, Kevin returned to Branford and currently serves as the Dean of Students at Branford High School. Since his return he has been instrumental in the development of the Mentoring Program and the Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking. He has totally immersed himself in school activities and has assisted with the volleyball and baseball teams and been a supporter of every school activity.
Kevin enjoys making fun of himself but, in reality, he is an extremely intelligent individual with very diverse interests. He holds advance degrees in French, Russian, Guidance and Administration. For over twenty-five years he has been a lead singer in a locally popular group and his wealth of knowledge of 1950's and 60's music is unequaled. His group does many charitable events, including many for the Branford Counseling Center. Faculty members also feel the impact he has on students where he finds ways to get so many of them involved in activities that make school more fun for them and their students.
He is also an outstanding athlete who has participated and coached basketball, base ball and volleyball and is presently involved with an inner city boxing program in New Haven.
Kevin and his wife Jane have two adult children, Matthew and Katie. Kevin is truly a Renaissance man who has made the Branford Public Schools a better place for students and staff.