Susan Rowan
Susan Rowan was born in Springfield, MA to William and Doris Stellwagen. An only child of working parents, she moved often and attended many different schools in different states. She learned to make friends quickly and to “be involved”. The family finally settled in Connecticut when Sue was in 7th grade.
Sue graduated from Southington High School in 1961, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and the Future Teachers of America. Sue was active in school theatre and dance productions, having been a classical ballet student since the age of six and training with Russian teachers.
In 1965, Sue graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. While at Central, she enjoyed theatre arts and was a member of the Modern Dance Club and spent six weeks touring Europe.
After graduation in 1965, she married Paul, her husband of fifty years. They then moved to Bloomington, IN, where Paul was a graduate student at Indiana University. Sue was hired to teach 4th grade at rural Ellettsville. One of her qualifications was her ability to teach the “new math”! Their son, Jeffrey, was born a “Hoosier” in March 1967.
In June of 1967, the family moved to Branford. Sue was hired over the phone by Ingeborg Hallden, Elementary Supervisor, to teach 2nd grade at Brushy Plan School. Mary Margaret O’Brien was the 4th grade teacher/administrator at the time. Sue went on to earn her Master of Science degree from Southern Connecticut State University in 1972 and was certified to teach preschool through 8th grade.
During the years at Brushy Plain School (later Mary T. Murphy), Sue participated in numerous initiatives and pilot programs. Among them were: Wisconsin Design, Individually Guided Education (IGE), Madeline Hunter Lesson Design, Whole Language, newer “New Math”, and Responsive Classroom. Also, Project Concern, a busing program bringing New Haven students to Branford and an Urban/Suburban collaborative program with Jepson School were part of her experiences. Sue participated in many curriculum development projects bringing positive changes to school policy and procedures. Her professionalism went beyond the classroom!
Sue was a member of the BEA, serving on the executive board and acting as a building representative. Today, she continues her commitment to professional work as a member of CEA-NEA-Retired and serves on the membership committee.
During the MTM years, Sue collaborated with Sharon Dixon. The adjoining classrooms supported their efforts to provide enrichment to both classes. Most memorable were the Bird Study unit with hatching ducklings, the Native American Studies and Walk the World. Teamwork allowed both classes to learn the cultures of China and Russia. With retired teacher, Barbara Cote, they developed a student bell choir which became ambassadors, bringing their music to the community.
Sue is a 30-year member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international women’s society. She is a member of: Branford Retired Teachers’ Association, Branford Historical Society and Friends of the Blackstone Library. She works all year long sorting, pricing and packing books in her commitment as co-chair of the children’s book sale. She can be seen in the tent matching children to books.
Sue has devoted much effort to supporting and strengthening our community. She can be seen on election days manning the polls, at Branford High School sporting events and on the Branford Green working for any one of her charities. She is a member of the Trinity Church Altar Guild, an usher and a Columbus House volunteer. Sue’s contributions to our children and the greater community are admirable.
Throughout her forty years of dedicated teaching, Sue set high standards for her students and worked hard to help them meet those standards. She still finds it a pleasure to meet former students and their parents and be brought up to date on their successes. Since her retirement in 2007, Sue and Paul continue to enjoy theater, dance and the adventure of travel.
Sue graduated from Southington High School in 1961, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and the Future Teachers of America. Sue was active in school theatre and dance productions, having been a classical ballet student since the age of six and training with Russian teachers.
In 1965, Sue graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. While at Central, she enjoyed theatre arts and was a member of the Modern Dance Club and spent six weeks touring Europe.
After graduation in 1965, she married Paul, her husband of fifty years. They then moved to Bloomington, IN, where Paul was a graduate student at Indiana University. Sue was hired to teach 4th grade at rural Ellettsville. One of her qualifications was her ability to teach the “new math”! Their son, Jeffrey, was born a “Hoosier” in March 1967.
In June of 1967, the family moved to Branford. Sue was hired over the phone by Ingeborg Hallden, Elementary Supervisor, to teach 2nd grade at Brushy Plan School. Mary Margaret O’Brien was the 4th grade teacher/administrator at the time. Sue went on to earn her Master of Science degree from Southern Connecticut State University in 1972 and was certified to teach preschool through 8th grade.
During the years at Brushy Plain School (later Mary T. Murphy), Sue participated in numerous initiatives and pilot programs. Among them were: Wisconsin Design, Individually Guided Education (IGE), Madeline Hunter Lesson Design, Whole Language, newer “New Math”, and Responsive Classroom. Also, Project Concern, a busing program bringing New Haven students to Branford and an Urban/Suburban collaborative program with Jepson School were part of her experiences. Sue participated in many curriculum development projects bringing positive changes to school policy and procedures. Her professionalism went beyond the classroom!
Sue was a member of the BEA, serving on the executive board and acting as a building representative. Today, she continues her commitment to professional work as a member of CEA-NEA-Retired and serves on the membership committee.
During the MTM years, Sue collaborated with Sharon Dixon. The adjoining classrooms supported their efforts to provide enrichment to both classes. Most memorable were the Bird Study unit with hatching ducklings, the Native American Studies and Walk the World. Teamwork allowed both classes to learn the cultures of China and Russia. With retired teacher, Barbara Cote, they developed a student bell choir which became ambassadors, bringing their music to the community.
Sue is a 30-year member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international women’s society. She is a member of: Branford Retired Teachers’ Association, Branford Historical Society and Friends of the Blackstone Library. She works all year long sorting, pricing and packing books in her commitment as co-chair of the children’s book sale. She can be seen in the tent matching children to books.
Sue has devoted much effort to supporting and strengthening our community. She can be seen on election days manning the polls, at Branford High School sporting events and on the Branford Green working for any one of her charities. She is a member of the Trinity Church Altar Guild, an usher and a Columbus House volunteer. Sue’s contributions to our children and the greater community are admirable.
Throughout her forty years of dedicated teaching, Sue set high standards for her students and worked hard to help them meet those standards. She still finds it a pleasure to meet former students and their parents and be brought up to date on their successes. Since her retirement in 2007, Sue and Paul continue to enjoy theater, dance and the adventure of travel.