Linda Chipkin
Linda is a graduate of Erasmus Hall, a high school located right in the heart of Brooklyn, NY. There she was active in student activities and sports: serving on the yearbook staff, math tutor, softball and volleyball clubs, while excelling in honors math and Spanish. She stayed close to home for her undergraduate degree earning a B.A. from Brooklyn College. Her dual major Speech and Theatre and minor in Education were an easy choice for Linda, as she "always wanted to become a teacher!" Looking back fondly at her experiences in teacher education, Linda recalls "they made me take those classes in speech correction to get rid of my Brooklyn accent!"
Before graduation, Linda tied the knot with her husband Ken and moved up to the Connecticut shore to raise a family and pursue her love of teaching. She has resided in Branford ever since that move, serving both private and public schools in a variety of capacities. Her first position was with the original SARAH organization as a preschool speech and language pathologist. As the laws and regulations governing students with learning disabilities evolved over the years, Linda found herself well qualified for an entry-level position. Graduating Cum Laude from Brooklyn College and serving in many leadership capacities, including president of the college house plan, Linda was offered a position as a speech and language pathologist in the Branford School system, a position she held for the first fifteen years of her career. Concurrently, she earned a Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders and a 6th Year in Educational Administration and Supervision from S.C.S.U.
Linda's high expectations for every young child are matched with her unique warm, caring and nurturing pedagogical approach. These special qualities were an immediate hit in and out of the classroom. At last, classroom teachers found a supportive resource with a wealth of strategies that were backed by scientific research! A tireless worker, Linda traveled throughout Branford's neighborhood schools quickly earning a reputation as a results-oriented thinker and problem solver. To this day, upon her arrival in a classroom, her positive persona and professional approach is always met with a gracious smile.
The 1990's were a decade of scientific discovery in phonological awareness and reading instruction. As the scientific community uncovered new research later termed “brain-based learning", Linda was at the forefront, not just in Branford, but also throughout the state in a variety of professional affiliations. She developed and brought us a comprehensive audio logical screening program for young children. Her work in the important area of phonological awareness earned an appointment on the Governor's panel and task force assigned to look at the critical components of a scientifically based reading program. Linda soon found herself traveling throughout the district and beyond, bringing new resources to the front line. The bottom line was that more children were properly identified, screened and serviced with the right instructional approaches that led to improved learning.
Linda's vision and problem solving skills have been recognized throughout the district. She is credited with organizing the B.E.A. Children's Fund, a foundation where teachers have raised funds to help needy students for items such as eyeglasses, shoes, a prom dress or a field trip experience. Branford’s educational image throughout the community profited from the Public School's Calendar, another philanthropic endeavor that Linda authored with Dina Gorlick. As Coordinator of Related Services for the past ten years, Linda has built a model integrated Preschool program for children identified with special needs at the old Indian Neck School. By joining hands with the Family Resource Center and School-Aged Child Care program, Branford is fortunate to have a comprehensive education for Pre-K youngsters. All of these awards and honors are secondary to the love and joy Linda feels simply for being an advocate for kids with disabilities. In her words, I just love being part of the changes in all areas of education that have improved kids learning. It is so rewarding to see our young students acquire so many skills as they prepare for their educational journey. I never stop learning along with them."
Before graduation, Linda tied the knot with her husband Ken and moved up to the Connecticut shore to raise a family and pursue her love of teaching. She has resided in Branford ever since that move, serving both private and public schools in a variety of capacities. Her first position was with the original SARAH organization as a preschool speech and language pathologist. As the laws and regulations governing students with learning disabilities evolved over the years, Linda found herself well qualified for an entry-level position. Graduating Cum Laude from Brooklyn College and serving in many leadership capacities, including president of the college house plan, Linda was offered a position as a speech and language pathologist in the Branford School system, a position she held for the first fifteen years of her career. Concurrently, she earned a Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders and a 6th Year in Educational Administration and Supervision from S.C.S.U.
Linda's high expectations for every young child are matched with her unique warm, caring and nurturing pedagogical approach. These special qualities were an immediate hit in and out of the classroom. At last, classroom teachers found a supportive resource with a wealth of strategies that were backed by scientific research! A tireless worker, Linda traveled throughout Branford's neighborhood schools quickly earning a reputation as a results-oriented thinker and problem solver. To this day, upon her arrival in a classroom, her positive persona and professional approach is always met with a gracious smile.
The 1990's were a decade of scientific discovery in phonological awareness and reading instruction. As the scientific community uncovered new research later termed “brain-based learning", Linda was at the forefront, not just in Branford, but also throughout the state in a variety of professional affiliations. She developed and brought us a comprehensive audio logical screening program for young children. Her work in the important area of phonological awareness earned an appointment on the Governor's panel and task force assigned to look at the critical components of a scientifically based reading program. Linda soon found herself traveling throughout the district and beyond, bringing new resources to the front line. The bottom line was that more children were properly identified, screened and serviced with the right instructional approaches that led to improved learning.
Linda's vision and problem solving skills have been recognized throughout the district. She is credited with organizing the B.E.A. Children's Fund, a foundation where teachers have raised funds to help needy students for items such as eyeglasses, shoes, a prom dress or a field trip experience. Branford’s educational image throughout the community profited from the Public School's Calendar, another philanthropic endeavor that Linda authored with Dina Gorlick. As Coordinator of Related Services for the past ten years, Linda has built a model integrated Preschool program for children identified with special needs at the old Indian Neck School. By joining hands with the Family Resource Center and School-Aged Child Care program, Branford is fortunate to have a comprehensive education for Pre-K youngsters. All of these awards and honors are secondary to the love and joy Linda feels simply for being an advocate for kids with disabilities. In her words, I just love being part of the changes in all areas of education that have improved kids learning. It is so rewarding to see our young students acquire so many skills as they prepare for their educational journey. I never stop learning along with them."