Susan Ann Sheehan
Friends who know Susan Sheehan were not surprised to hear about her induction into the Branford Education Hall of Fame. Her reputation as an extraordinary teacher, wholly committed to her students and as a mentor who always shared her philosophy of education and teaching techniques with those who asked for help, had not gone unnoticed by her peers before or after her retirement in 1997.
Susan Ann Sheehan, the daughter of the late James and Lillian Sheehan was a product of the East Haven School System. An honor graduate of East Haven High School in 1961, Susan entered Southern Connecticut State Teachers College and received a Bachelor of Science/Education with honors in 1965. Susan became acquainted with Branford as a student teacher when she was assigned to train in the 4th grade at the New Indian Neck School under the supervision of Mrs. Nettie Bloomberg.
This experience seemed to be the stepping-stone to Susan's teaching career in Branford. In 1965, the Superintendent of Schools was Dr. William Hall James but Sue was interviewed by the Supervisor of Higher Elementary Education, Mary Petela. The interview was a success and the rest is history. Her first assignment was teaching 5th grade at Harbor Street School. Harbor Street School was a neighborhood school as were many of the Branford elementary schools during the late 1960's. At Harbor Street, Sue met many teachers who would join her at the new Intermediate School when it opened in 1972. One of those teachers was Fran Walsh, who at that time was a roving principal and would later become principal of the new Intermediate School.
Within the concept of open space and team teaching, Susan excelled as a team leader and mentor for her 6th grade team. Her responsibilities were to teach math, always her first love and reading. Earlier that year she completed work on her Master's Degree and received a Master of Education/Reading Degree at SCSU. In deference to her leadership and take charge qualities, Sue began as the 'unofficial team leader' who made schedules, planned field trips and took photos each year for team activities. Needless to say these photos, which were put together in a slide show, became a highlight of the team's year. Sue was always available for help after school and became a sounding board for teaches who needed help and/or encouragement. At the end of the 1979-1980 school year, Sue along with her future teammate, Judith Early, was recognized by the BIS community of teachers, students and parents and received the Faculty Excellence Award.
When need for a 7th grade math teacher arose, Sue decided to switch gears and teach math on a 7th grade team. Here too, her reputation as a teacher's teacher preceded her and she fit into this new situation with relative ease. Once again she made schedules, organized field trips and quickly adjusted to life as a 7th grade teacher. For her students math became fun and even exciting. To this day, former students rave about the different techniques Sue used to illustrate a mathematical concept.
After thirty-two years of teaching, all in Branford, Susan realized it was time to think about retirement. Her father was retired and needed care and attention and she had begun to have physical problems, which began to interfere with her stamina. When the opportunity to take early retirement came along, Susan regretfully knew that "it was time."
Today, Susan is fully into her retirement. She enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and photography. Her greatest love is golf and she is a proficient golfer. She has served as resident and tournament chairperson of a local women’s golf organization and currently is treasurer and membership chairperson of the Southern Connecticut Women's Golf Association. Her friends are convinced that if golf was the 'in' thing when she was young, she may have been a professional golfer. This would have been an exciting career for Susan but a tremendous loss for the many students she taught and influenced throughout her teaching career.
Susan Ann Sheehan, the daughter of the late James and Lillian Sheehan was a product of the East Haven School System. An honor graduate of East Haven High School in 1961, Susan entered Southern Connecticut State Teachers College and received a Bachelor of Science/Education with honors in 1965. Susan became acquainted with Branford as a student teacher when she was assigned to train in the 4th grade at the New Indian Neck School under the supervision of Mrs. Nettie Bloomberg.
This experience seemed to be the stepping-stone to Susan's teaching career in Branford. In 1965, the Superintendent of Schools was Dr. William Hall James but Sue was interviewed by the Supervisor of Higher Elementary Education, Mary Petela. The interview was a success and the rest is history. Her first assignment was teaching 5th grade at Harbor Street School. Harbor Street School was a neighborhood school as were many of the Branford elementary schools during the late 1960's. At Harbor Street, Sue met many teachers who would join her at the new Intermediate School when it opened in 1972. One of those teachers was Fran Walsh, who at that time was a roving principal and would later become principal of the new Intermediate School.
Within the concept of open space and team teaching, Susan excelled as a team leader and mentor for her 6th grade team. Her responsibilities were to teach math, always her first love and reading. Earlier that year she completed work on her Master's Degree and received a Master of Education/Reading Degree at SCSU. In deference to her leadership and take charge qualities, Sue began as the 'unofficial team leader' who made schedules, planned field trips and took photos each year for team activities. Needless to say these photos, which were put together in a slide show, became a highlight of the team's year. Sue was always available for help after school and became a sounding board for teaches who needed help and/or encouragement. At the end of the 1979-1980 school year, Sue along with her future teammate, Judith Early, was recognized by the BIS community of teachers, students and parents and received the Faculty Excellence Award.
When need for a 7th grade math teacher arose, Sue decided to switch gears and teach math on a 7th grade team. Here too, her reputation as a teacher's teacher preceded her and she fit into this new situation with relative ease. Once again she made schedules, organized field trips and quickly adjusted to life as a 7th grade teacher. For her students math became fun and even exciting. To this day, former students rave about the different techniques Sue used to illustrate a mathematical concept.
After thirty-two years of teaching, all in Branford, Susan realized it was time to think about retirement. Her father was retired and needed care and attention and she had begun to have physical problems, which began to interfere with her stamina. When the opportunity to take early retirement came along, Susan regretfully knew that "it was time."
Today, Susan is fully into her retirement. She enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and photography. Her greatest love is golf and she is a proficient golfer. She has served as resident and tournament chairperson of a local women’s golf organization and currently is treasurer and membership chairperson of the Southern Connecticut Women's Golf Association. Her friends are convinced that if golf was the 'in' thing when she was young, she may have been a professional golfer. This would have been an exciting career for Susan but a tremendous loss for the many students she taught and influenced throughout her teaching career.