Salvatore Alessandro Zarra
Salvatore’s love for learning and teaching began with the values instilled in him as a child by his parents, Gerardo and Natalina Zarra who had their formal education cut short by the onset of World War II. His mother had a second-grade and father had a third-grade education in rural south-central Italy. They immigrated to this country in 1958, without the ability to read or write English, but with a desire to learn the language to make a better life for their children. They are the people who both inspired him and supported him in his efforts to become an inspirational teacher.
Salvatore still remembers every teacher he ever had but the two he remembers best are his 4th grade teacher at Overbrook School in East Haven, Robert Wilcox and his 10th grade biology teacher at Cheshire High School, Armand Mazzetti. They taught him the passion for teaching, the pursuit of excellence and a compassion for the students as they evolved into mature, self-confident, empathetic people.
After graduating from the University of Connecticut in 1986, with a Business degree and working as an Investment Advisor for five years, he then enrolled in the Alternate Route to Certification Program in 1991. He was a substitute teacher for one year, part time teacher in Branford for two years and finally was hired full time in 1994 to teach math in the Branford High School (BHS) Horizons program, an Alternative Education Program for At Risk Students.
He was selected as the 2010 Teacher of the Year for Branford Public Schools. He has contributed to the betterment of the community environment at BHS over the past twenty-five years. Whether it is the annual Veterans Appreciation Event that he has organized each year since 1999, with the assistance of the entire Horizons Department and Richard Biondi, or the annual school-wide picnic called “Salapalooza” that provides the students and staff an opportunity to break bread together and appreciate the relationships that they have nurtured over the years, Salvatore has always been there for the betterment of BHS. His experience as a Student Council advisor since 1993 provided him the opportunity to work with some of the most caring students committed to making the BHS learning community as empathetic and pleasant as possible.
He made his greatest contribution in the lives of his students in Horizons. He used his background to teach his students numerous essential lessons in Financial Awareness and problem solving. His budgeting, money management and consumer analysis lessons have guided his students onto the path of financial success. His philosophy has always been to make the most out of every day and every opportunity to enjoy and improve life and the lives of those people you encounter.
Salvatore says, “With Horizons, you can truly make a difference in the lives of your students. You’re not just a teacher; you’re a friend and a mentor for your students during the hardest time in their life. His philosophy is to guide them and allow them to find their way with compassionate leadership.”
Salvatore still remembers every teacher he ever had but the two he remembers best are his 4th grade teacher at Overbrook School in East Haven, Robert Wilcox and his 10th grade biology teacher at Cheshire High School, Armand Mazzetti. They taught him the passion for teaching, the pursuit of excellence and a compassion for the students as they evolved into mature, self-confident, empathetic people.
After graduating from the University of Connecticut in 1986, with a Business degree and working as an Investment Advisor for five years, he then enrolled in the Alternate Route to Certification Program in 1991. He was a substitute teacher for one year, part time teacher in Branford for two years and finally was hired full time in 1994 to teach math in the Branford High School (BHS) Horizons program, an Alternative Education Program for At Risk Students.
He was selected as the 2010 Teacher of the Year for Branford Public Schools. He has contributed to the betterment of the community environment at BHS over the past twenty-five years. Whether it is the annual Veterans Appreciation Event that he has organized each year since 1999, with the assistance of the entire Horizons Department and Richard Biondi, or the annual school-wide picnic called “Salapalooza” that provides the students and staff an opportunity to break bread together and appreciate the relationships that they have nurtured over the years, Salvatore has always been there for the betterment of BHS. His experience as a Student Council advisor since 1993 provided him the opportunity to work with some of the most caring students committed to making the BHS learning community as empathetic and pleasant as possible.
He made his greatest contribution in the lives of his students in Horizons. He used his background to teach his students numerous essential lessons in Financial Awareness and problem solving. His budgeting, money management and consumer analysis lessons have guided his students onto the path of financial success. His philosophy has always been to make the most out of every day and every opportunity to enjoy and improve life and the lives of those people you encounter.
Salvatore says, “With Horizons, you can truly make a difference in the lives of your students. You’re not just a teacher; you’re a friend and a mentor for your students during the hardest time in their life. His philosophy is to guide them and allow them to find their way with compassionate leadership.”
Letters of Nomination
Sal Zarra is hard to miss. His presence in Branford High School has been far reaching and impact full. A teacher in the Horizons program, Sal has taught math and life to many students who were not comfortable in a "regular" school setting.
His unbridled enthusiasm for students, both within and without the Horizons program, has made him a force beyond the classroom. As student council advisor Sal has helped create an active and important student presence in the school.
Through the Student Council he created a fund raising vehicle that was used to help support many other student activities and organizations. His year end "Salapaloosa" rounded out the school year with a building wide bonding activity that brought all groups together.
Always a willing chaperone and supporter of school activities, Sal was one of the best known and widely acknowledged faculty members. For his energy, enthusiasm and all out support of kids, Sal Zarra deserves to be in Branford's Education Hall of Fame.
His unbridled enthusiasm for students, both within and without the Horizons program, has made him a force beyond the classroom. As student council advisor Sal has helped create an active and important student presence in the school.
Through the Student Council he created a fund raising vehicle that was used to help support many other student activities and organizations. His year end "Salapaloosa" rounded out the school year with a building wide bonding activity that brought all groups together.
Always a willing chaperone and supporter of school activities, Sal was one of the best known and widely acknowledged faculty members. For his energy, enthusiasm and all out support of kids, Sal Zarra deserves to be in Branford's Education Hall of Fame.