Marilyn Odell
Marilyn Odell, a CT native now living on Cape Cod, holds a Bachelor and Masters of Science in Biology from Southern Connecticut State University. She also holds a 6th year as a Secondary Science Specialist and a 6th year in Administration and Supervision from Southern. Marilyn retired in 2006 after teaching thirty-seven years in Branford. Her association with the schools began in 1968 with student teaching at the Junior High and teaching a field natural history class in Branford’s summer school. Her formal teaching career began at Branford Junior High and continued at Branford Intermediate School, now Walsh, where she taught 7th and 8th grade.
In her thirty-seven years of teaching, Marilyn was instrumental in helping to shape science education for the Town of Branford. At the Junior High she helped to develop mini courses that focused on general science and mixed 7th and 8th graders, thereby increasing students’ exposure to the many fields of science. She was appointed department chairperson at the Intermediate School in 1976, and served in that position until her retirement. As department chair she guided science teachers in grades 5 thru 8 by helping to implement CT Science Standards through two state revisions. Marilyn helped teachers develop effective lessons both individually and by grade level. In addition, she served as Chairman of the Science Curriculum Council which helped to formalize science education in Branford and open lines of communication on all grade levels. She also helped to show the importance of effective science teaching in middle school at the state level by representing teachers through the Connecticut Science Teachers Association and the Connecticut Science Supervisors Association.
Marilyn also served as Professional Development Co-Chair for Branford. Together with her co-chair, the committee and the assistant superintendent, she provided meaningful PD for all subject teachers in the system, determining appropriate topics and arranging for knowledgeable presenters. She also presented numerous PD topics in other towns and states and was instrumental in the development of interdisciplinary lessons using science and technology, as well as serving on the technology committee.
Marilyn’s involvement with science education did not stop with her retirement. She was an adjunct professor at Southern CT State University, University of New Haven and Buena Vista University where she taught future science teachers enrolled in undergraduate and graduate courses and served as CT Science Content Instructor for Teach for America. Retirement also saw her serving as a consultant and instructor for PIMMS (Project to Increase Mastery of Mathematics and Science), Connecticut Science Center and as Director of Educational Programs for the DNA Epicenter.
Marilyn has been married for forty-seven years to Colin Odell. They have a daughter, Margaret Schneider and a grandson Gabriel. Since leaving CT and moving to their summer home, Marilyn finds time to introduce pre-school and elementary students to the wonders of science, serve on educational committees, volunteer at her town library and chairs committees for a regional social organization. When she takes time for herself she reads and discusses books, gardens and enjoys the beauty of nature.
In her thirty-seven years of teaching, Marilyn was instrumental in helping to shape science education for the Town of Branford. At the Junior High she helped to develop mini courses that focused on general science and mixed 7th and 8th graders, thereby increasing students’ exposure to the many fields of science. She was appointed department chairperson at the Intermediate School in 1976, and served in that position until her retirement. As department chair she guided science teachers in grades 5 thru 8 by helping to implement CT Science Standards through two state revisions. Marilyn helped teachers develop effective lessons both individually and by grade level. In addition, she served as Chairman of the Science Curriculum Council which helped to formalize science education in Branford and open lines of communication on all grade levels. She also helped to show the importance of effective science teaching in middle school at the state level by representing teachers through the Connecticut Science Teachers Association and the Connecticut Science Supervisors Association.
Marilyn also served as Professional Development Co-Chair for Branford. Together with her co-chair, the committee and the assistant superintendent, she provided meaningful PD for all subject teachers in the system, determining appropriate topics and arranging for knowledgeable presenters. She also presented numerous PD topics in other towns and states and was instrumental in the development of interdisciplinary lessons using science and technology, as well as serving on the technology committee.
Marilyn’s involvement with science education did not stop with her retirement. She was an adjunct professor at Southern CT State University, University of New Haven and Buena Vista University where she taught future science teachers enrolled in undergraduate and graduate courses and served as CT Science Content Instructor for Teach for America. Retirement also saw her serving as a consultant and instructor for PIMMS (Project to Increase Mastery of Mathematics and Science), Connecticut Science Center and as Director of Educational Programs for the DNA Epicenter.
Marilyn has been married for forty-seven years to Colin Odell. They have a daughter, Margaret Schneider and a grandson Gabriel. Since leaving CT and moving to their summer home, Marilyn finds time to introduce pre-school and elementary students to the wonders of science, serve on educational committees, volunteer at her town library and chairs committees for a regional social organization. When she takes time for herself she reads and discusses books, gardens and enjoys the beauty of nature.