Marilyn Collett
Marilyn Collett, daughter of William and Charlotte Collett, was born and raised in Meriden, CT. She has two sisters, Susan and Sandra, who were also teachers and a brother, Bill whose wife, Sharon, is a first grade teacher at Tisko. After graduating from Platt High School, she earned a BS degree in Elementary Education from Southern Connecticut State University. Upon completion of her degree she accepted a kindergarten teaching position in Branford and set up her first classroom at Tabor Church. After two years she moved to the Eades Street School which is now the Sliney School, to teach second grade and soon after to the Pine Orchard School. In 1986, while continuing to teach second grade, she became a Teaching Administrator and served in that capacity for five years at Indian Neck School. In 1991she moved to the newly renovated Mary R. Tisko School where she taught second and later first grade. Marilyn personified qualities that other teachers recognized as ideal in the profession. She was selected as Branford's Teacher of the Year for the 2005-2006 school year; an honor of which she is very proud.
During her forty-two years in the Branford School System, Marilyn worked continuously to strengthen the school to community connection and to instill in her students a sense of responsibility for themselves, for others and for their environment. She facilitated fundraisers to benefit local charities and participated in the planning and construction of school playground areas. She served as PTA liaison for twenty years and encouraged parents to be more actively involved in their children's school day by volunteering regularly in her classroom. She helped to establish a trail of bluebird nest boxes at Tisko and maintained the courtyard perennial garden and entrance planters at the school. Marilyn was introduced to the world of reptiles by one of her students and maintained a collection of snakes in her classroom for many years. She and her snakes visited the other elementary schools in Branford and nearby towns to educate children about reptiles and their environmental benefits. While at Tisko she also worked cooperatively with other staff and the Branford Wetlands Commission members to develop a school nature trail, trail guide and activity booklet for classroom teachers. Upon her retirement in 2012 the trail was named in her honor.
As a retiree, Marilyn enjoys gardening, kayaking, antiquing and spending time with her family. She continues to volunteer at Tisko, reading to students, guiding nature trail walks and monitoring nest boxes and birdfeeders.
Our town has been and still is very lucky to have benefited from Marilyn Collett's expertise and tireless efforts to help make Branford Schools what they are today.
During her forty-two years in the Branford School System, Marilyn worked continuously to strengthen the school to community connection and to instill in her students a sense of responsibility for themselves, for others and for their environment. She facilitated fundraisers to benefit local charities and participated in the planning and construction of school playground areas. She served as PTA liaison for twenty years and encouraged parents to be more actively involved in their children's school day by volunteering regularly in her classroom. She helped to establish a trail of bluebird nest boxes at Tisko and maintained the courtyard perennial garden and entrance planters at the school. Marilyn was introduced to the world of reptiles by one of her students and maintained a collection of snakes in her classroom for many years. She and her snakes visited the other elementary schools in Branford and nearby towns to educate children about reptiles and their environmental benefits. While at Tisko she also worked cooperatively with other staff and the Branford Wetlands Commission members to develop a school nature trail, trail guide and activity booklet for classroom teachers. Upon her retirement in 2012 the trail was named in her honor.
As a retiree, Marilyn enjoys gardening, kayaking, antiquing and spending time with her family. She continues to volunteer at Tisko, reading to students, guiding nature trail walks and monitoring nest boxes and birdfeeders.
Our town has been and still is very lucky to have benefited from Marilyn Collett's expertise and tireless efforts to help make Branford Schools what they are today.