Patricia Dickinson
Patricia Charlotte Dickinson is the youngest of three daughters born to the late Donald and Barbara Charlotte, attended Branford schools for thirteen years and has been an educator in Branford schools for the last forty years. As a young child Pat knew she wanted to be an elementary teacher after experiencing teachers Barbara Chaltas, Marcia Soundergaard and Alice Batrow at the Old Short Beach and New Short Beach Schools. At Branford High School, Pat was active in the Future Teachers of America where after school she tutored needy students at the Old Short Beach School in her junior year and New Short Beach School in her senior year. When she graduated from BHS in 1973, she received the Branford Education Association Scholarship given to an outstanding student who would be pursuing a career in education.
In 1977, Pat graduated magna cum laude from Southern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and shortly after began serving as a special education paraprofessional in several Branford elementary schools. In the fall of 1981, Pat began her career as a special education teacher at Branford Hills School in the self-contained classroom. She worked with students with a variety of challenges which made some areas of learning difficult for them. Pat had a way of reaching each of her students and took great pride in all the academic and social progress they made. In 1984, she earned a Master of Science in Special Education with a concentration in Learning Disabilities. Over the next several years, her teaching assignments changed but her determination that every child could learn did not.
In 1991, Pat was assigned to the new Mary T. Murphy School teaching a self-contained special education classroom for kindergarten through second grade students. Always on the forefront of changes in special education, in 1994, Pat’s title became “Special Education Resource Teacher” and her classroom became “the Primary Learning Center”. This gave her students the chance to be in regular education classes with her support. Today, Pat is the resource teacher for grades kindergarten through fourth grade and is responsible for three paraprofessionals and her many students.
Pat is known for her work ethic and dedication to each and every one of her students. Pat is always found at school still working two hours after dismissal and often long beyond. She has been known to leave the building at 10:00 PM when the night custodian needs to lock up. Once at home, Pat always puts in several more hours of work developing every student’s plan for the next day and rarely finishes before midnight. She is always striving to stay on top of the latest in education and this past year earned her certification as a Wilson Reading Instructor. She is a prime example of a truly dedicated educator.
Pat and her husband Ken were married in 1977 and have three adult children; Krista
(husband David), Kyle (fiancé Alicia) and Kelly. At present the apple of her eye is her two-year-old granddaughter, Madelyn Rose. For over forty years Pat has given her all to students of Branford’s elementary schools and we are honored to have her inducted into the Branford Education Hall of Fame.
In 1977, Pat graduated magna cum laude from Southern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and shortly after began serving as a special education paraprofessional in several Branford elementary schools. In the fall of 1981, Pat began her career as a special education teacher at Branford Hills School in the self-contained classroom. She worked with students with a variety of challenges which made some areas of learning difficult for them. Pat had a way of reaching each of her students and took great pride in all the academic and social progress they made. In 1984, she earned a Master of Science in Special Education with a concentration in Learning Disabilities. Over the next several years, her teaching assignments changed but her determination that every child could learn did not.
In 1991, Pat was assigned to the new Mary T. Murphy School teaching a self-contained special education classroom for kindergarten through second grade students. Always on the forefront of changes in special education, in 1994, Pat’s title became “Special Education Resource Teacher” and her classroom became “the Primary Learning Center”. This gave her students the chance to be in regular education classes with her support. Today, Pat is the resource teacher for grades kindergarten through fourth grade and is responsible for three paraprofessionals and her many students.
Pat is known for her work ethic and dedication to each and every one of her students. Pat is always found at school still working two hours after dismissal and often long beyond. She has been known to leave the building at 10:00 PM when the night custodian needs to lock up. Once at home, Pat always puts in several more hours of work developing every student’s plan for the next day and rarely finishes before midnight. She is always striving to stay on top of the latest in education and this past year earned her certification as a Wilson Reading Instructor. She is a prime example of a truly dedicated educator.
Pat and her husband Ken were married in 1977 and have three adult children; Krista
(husband David), Kyle (fiancé Alicia) and Kelly. At present the apple of her eye is her two-year-old granddaughter, Madelyn Rose. For over forty years Pat has given her all to students of Branford’s elementary schools and we are honored to have her inducted into the Branford Education Hall of Fame.
Letters of Nomination
Patricia (Pat) Dickinson is a home-grown Branford girl from Short Beach. She is the youngest daughter of Donald and Barbara Charlotte. Her older sisters are Jean Charlotte O'Connor, former secretary to Francis Walsh, WIS principal and Ginger Charlotte, former teacher in Vermont and Branford High School. It was no surprise Pat also chose to pursue a career in education. From the time she entered Branford High School, she joined the Future Teachers of America club and began volunteering as an instructional aide at Harbor Street Elementary School during her junior and senior years at BHS. She then entered Southern Connecticut State University (S.C.S.U.) and graduated in 1977 with a degree in Special Education and began her career within the Branford School System for the last 37 years. Pat continues today at Mary Murphy Elementary School. During this time, she also completed her master’s degree in reading at S.C.S.U.
As former Director of Pupil Services, it has been a pleasure to witness Pat’s interaction with the special education population over the years; always addressing not only their academics but social and emotional needs, as well. When the law, Least Restrictive Environment (L.R.E.) was enacted, it required that special education students be included in regular education classes when appropriate. To accommodate this, Pat spends many hours planning with regular education staff and instructional aides. It is not uncommon for her to be working until 5 or 6 pm. Recently, Pat has been trained in the Wilson Reading Program, a highly specialized phonetic approach for students with reading disabilities.
Having taught with Pat at Murphy Elementary School for the past 37 years, I concur with the above. Throughout these years Pat has always been highly regarded as a conscientious, dedicated special education teacher who works with sincere professionalism. She extends hours beyond the school day and into her personal evenings and weekends to plan individualized lessons for her students. Pat puts her students first before thinking of herself; they are a central part of who she is. She will give up her lunch time before she misses time with her students. For Pat, giving above and beyond the expectations of a teacher is her norm.
Pat helps her students see their potential and thus motivates them to further their goals and achievement. With all of her special education training, Pat often reaches children that often struggle. She provides guidance in instructional techniques to regular education teachers thus enabling the classroom teacher to maintain her students to become more productive in the classroom. Pat is unique in her skill set and throughout her career, as a special education teacher, has been an asset to both her students and the staff with whom she works.
Pat is married to husband Ken and together have raised three children, Krista, Kyle and Kelly, all college graduates and leading independent lives. Raising three children can interrupt one’s life with unforeseen events, I am not aware of a time when Pat's home life left her unprepared for her students. Pat epitomizes the dedicated teacher her consistent efforts and leadership continue today.
We highly recommend Pat Dickinson be inducted into the Branford Education Hall of Fame.
As former Director of Pupil Services, it has been a pleasure to witness Pat’s interaction with the special education population over the years; always addressing not only their academics but social and emotional needs, as well. When the law, Least Restrictive Environment (L.R.E.) was enacted, it required that special education students be included in regular education classes when appropriate. To accommodate this, Pat spends many hours planning with regular education staff and instructional aides. It is not uncommon for her to be working until 5 or 6 pm. Recently, Pat has been trained in the Wilson Reading Program, a highly specialized phonetic approach for students with reading disabilities.
Having taught with Pat at Murphy Elementary School for the past 37 years, I concur with the above. Throughout these years Pat has always been highly regarded as a conscientious, dedicated special education teacher who works with sincere professionalism. She extends hours beyond the school day and into her personal evenings and weekends to plan individualized lessons for her students. Pat puts her students first before thinking of herself; they are a central part of who she is. She will give up her lunch time before she misses time with her students. For Pat, giving above and beyond the expectations of a teacher is her norm.
Pat helps her students see their potential and thus motivates them to further their goals and achievement. With all of her special education training, Pat often reaches children that often struggle. She provides guidance in instructional techniques to regular education teachers thus enabling the classroom teacher to maintain her students to become more productive in the classroom. Pat is unique in her skill set and throughout her career, as a special education teacher, has been an asset to both her students and the staff with whom she works.
Pat is married to husband Ken and together have raised three children, Krista, Kyle and Kelly, all college graduates and leading independent lives. Raising three children can interrupt one’s life with unforeseen events, I am not aware of a time when Pat's home life left her unprepared for her students. Pat epitomizes the dedicated teacher her consistent efforts and leadership continue today.
We highly recommend Pat Dickinson be inducted into the Branford Education Hall of Fame.