Rita Ceccolini Hennessey

Branford is truly fortunate that school leaders hired Rita Hennessey as an elementary school teacher. Hundreds of Branford students in kindergarten through third grade had the joyful experience of calling Mrs. Hennessey their teacher.
Rita, the daughter of the late John and Mary Ceccolini, was raised in Branford, attended Bran ford schools and was part of the Branford High School class of 1965 where she also was chosen to be part of the National Honor Society. Rita continued her education at SCSU where she received her Bachelor of Science degree cum laude and her Master’s in education.
Rita began her teaching career as a sixth grade teacher in Stonington. After three years, Rita was hired in Branford as a second grade teacher. Rita took a hiatus from teaching for a few years to raise her two children, Ryan and Melanie. During these years, Rita continued to work with children as a CCD teacher at St. George Church in Guilford and as a Guilford Girl Scout leader.
Rita returned to teaching in Branford as a kindergarten teacher and continued her career teaching third grade and then second grade. Rita was a compassionate, kind, calm and generous teacher who valued each child as an individual. She challenged all children academically, taking into consideration their individual needs. Teaching reading was her first love. Rita spent her own money generously to purchase many books to supplement her classroom library so that children could immerse themselves in good literature. Dedication is one adjective to describe Rita. She would remain after school many days constructing learning centers and activities to enhance her classroom. She volunteered to serve on several curriculum committees helping to guide the future of Branford's academic program. Rita was a true "team player" with colleagues. She was available to share ideas and materials and was a valued mentor to new teachers. Rita took advantage of professional development workshops keeping current in new reading and writing programs. She attended many of these conferences during her summer break.
Rita's enthusiasm for learning was contagious among her students. Many children will never forget the information she taught them using novel activities to teach social studies and elaborate experiments to foster science goals. Many parents commented that after conferencing with Rita, they felt she truly knew the children's strengths and weaknesses. Parents also felt secure knowing that Rita was addressing the academic and emotional needs of their children.
Rita, after 25.5 years of teaching Branford's children, retired in 2007. She resides in Guilford with Jim, her husband of forty years. She spends some of her free time volunteering in the Pediatric Department at Yale New Haven Hospital. She occasionally can be seen in Branford classrooms as a substitute teacher. Rita has touched many lives, fostering a love of learning!
Rita, the daughter of the late John and Mary Ceccolini, was raised in Branford, attended Bran ford schools and was part of the Branford High School class of 1965 where she also was chosen to be part of the National Honor Society. Rita continued her education at SCSU where she received her Bachelor of Science degree cum laude and her Master’s in education.
Rita began her teaching career as a sixth grade teacher in Stonington. After three years, Rita was hired in Branford as a second grade teacher. Rita took a hiatus from teaching for a few years to raise her two children, Ryan and Melanie. During these years, Rita continued to work with children as a CCD teacher at St. George Church in Guilford and as a Guilford Girl Scout leader.
Rita returned to teaching in Branford as a kindergarten teacher and continued her career teaching third grade and then second grade. Rita was a compassionate, kind, calm and generous teacher who valued each child as an individual. She challenged all children academically, taking into consideration their individual needs. Teaching reading was her first love. Rita spent her own money generously to purchase many books to supplement her classroom library so that children could immerse themselves in good literature. Dedication is one adjective to describe Rita. She would remain after school many days constructing learning centers and activities to enhance her classroom. She volunteered to serve on several curriculum committees helping to guide the future of Branford's academic program. Rita was a true "team player" with colleagues. She was available to share ideas and materials and was a valued mentor to new teachers. Rita took advantage of professional development workshops keeping current in new reading and writing programs. She attended many of these conferences during her summer break.
Rita's enthusiasm for learning was contagious among her students. Many children will never forget the information she taught them using novel activities to teach social studies and elaborate experiments to foster science goals. Many parents commented that after conferencing with Rita, they felt she truly knew the children's strengths and weaknesses. Parents also felt secure knowing that Rita was addressing the academic and emotional needs of their children.
Rita, after 25.5 years of teaching Branford's children, retired in 2007. She resides in Guilford with Jim, her husband of forty years. She spends some of her free time volunteering in the Pediatric Department at Yale New Haven Hospital. She occasionally can be seen in Branford classrooms as a substitute teacher. Rita has touched many lives, fostering a love of learning!