Mary R. Petela
The oldest of nine children, Mary R. Petela was born in Branford on May 1, 1913, daughter of Michael and Teckla Percak Petela. After graduating from Branford High School, she, along with 1998 inductee Alice Batrow, qualified for New Haven Normal School (now Southern Connecticut State University) by being in the top third of the class. Alice recalls their daily trolley rides to and from New Haven, sharing stories and laughs and tangerines. After graduating in 1933, both Mary and Alice were assigned to the old Indian Neck School, where Mary served as the teaching principal. Six years later she was transferred to the Laurel Street School. In 1944 Mary interrupted her teaching career, taking a leave of absence and joining the WAVES. For two years she served as a nurse at St. Alban's Hospital treating wounded naval personnel, an experience that remained with her throughout her life.
Returning to the classroom in 1946, Mary was assigned to Canoe Brook School. A year later, she was transferred to Harbor Street School, where she remained for three years. Her next assignment from 1950 to 1953 was that of teaching principal at the old Short Beach School, where Alice Batrow, returning in 1950 after an eleven-year hiatus, was once again a colleague.
At the urging of Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Raymond Pinkham, both Mary and 1998 inductee Inge Hallden enrolled in the master's program at New Haven Teachers College. Upon graduation Pinkham appointed them jointly as Elementary Supervisors, with Mary responsible for Grades 4-6 and Inge taking on Grades K-3. Mary's responsibilities included teacher evaluation, student distribution, arrangements for substitutes, and other administrative duties for these grades throughout the system. After nearly twenty years in this system-wide position, in 1972 Mary became principal of the Eades Street and Damascus Schools, a position she held until her retirement in 1974.
An open person and an excellent listener, Mary Petela always maintained a positive out look. Despite the daily schedule taped to the door of her fifth-grade classroom stipulating what would be taught at any particular time, Mary never feared to deviate from it but seized upon "teachable moments" to integrate real-world experiences into fundamental skills. She used the daily breaking events of World War II to send her students to maps and charts and atlases. When taking courses for her advanced degree, she shared with her students the insights she gained into the language and culture of Spain.
As an administrator known as a perfectionist and one to be sure things were always done as they should be, Mary quickly dispelled the teachers' fear of observations. She always found some thing positive to comment on in any classroom she entered, and she was always willing to experiment with new ideas or methods that enthusiastic teachers proposed. A forward-thinking person, Mary encouraged young teachers entering the system to be innovative, plan ahead, and always seek to improve themselves; and she nurtured a group of future administrators that included Bruce Grennon, John O'Connor, and Fran Walsh.
Her colleagues describe Mary Petela as a warm and caring person who had great devotion to her large family. Every one of them recalls her wonderful sense of humor. She loved poetry and music and at parties was known to burst into song, most likely with "Rambling Rose" or "Only a Bird in a Gilded Cage." Mary enjoyed golf, swimming, and walking on the beach and traveled to Scandinavia. She also avidly followed and often attended the athletic events in which her nieces and nephews participated.
Mary Petela's life was a dedication to the children of Branford. She was competent, caring, and compassionate. She was beloved.
Returning to the classroom in 1946, Mary was assigned to Canoe Brook School. A year later, she was transferred to Harbor Street School, where she remained for three years. Her next assignment from 1950 to 1953 was that of teaching principal at the old Short Beach School, where Alice Batrow, returning in 1950 after an eleven-year hiatus, was once again a colleague.
At the urging of Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Raymond Pinkham, both Mary and 1998 inductee Inge Hallden enrolled in the master's program at New Haven Teachers College. Upon graduation Pinkham appointed them jointly as Elementary Supervisors, with Mary responsible for Grades 4-6 and Inge taking on Grades K-3. Mary's responsibilities included teacher evaluation, student distribution, arrangements for substitutes, and other administrative duties for these grades throughout the system. After nearly twenty years in this system-wide position, in 1972 Mary became principal of the Eades Street and Damascus Schools, a position she held until her retirement in 1974.
An open person and an excellent listener, Mary Petela always maintained a positive out look. Despite the daily schedule taped to the door of her fifth-grade classroom stipulating what would be taught at any particular time, Mary never feared to deviate from it but seized upon "teachable moments" to integrate real-world experiences into fundamental skills. She used the daily breaking events of World War II to send her students to maps and charts and atlases. When taking courses for her advanced degree, she shared with her students the insights she gained into the language and culture of Spain.
As an administrator known as a perfectionist and one to be sure things were always done as they should be, Mary quickly dispelled the teachers' fear of observations. She always found some thing positive to comment on in any classroom she entered, and she was always willing to experiment with new ideas or methods that enthusiastic teachers proposed. A forward-thinking person, Mary encouraged young teachers entering the system to be innovative, plan ahead, and always seek to improve themselves; and she nurtured a group of future administrators that included Bruce Grennon, John O'Connor, and Fran Walsh.
Her colleagues describe Mary Petela as a warm and caring person who had great devotion to her large family. Every one of them recalls her wonderful sense of humor. She loved poetry and music and at parties was known to burst into song, most likely with "Rambling Rose" or "Only a Bird in a Gilded Cage." Mary enjoyed golf, swimming, and walking on the beach and traveled to Scandinavia. She also avidly followed and often attended the athletic events in which her nieces and nephews participated.
Mary Petela's life was a dedication to the children of Branford. She was competent, caring, and compassionate. She was beloved.