Thomas A. Murray
The Branford Education Hall of fame would not be complete without inducting one of the individuals responsible for establishing this Hall of Fame, Mr. Thomas A. Murray. Tom has been a part of improving the Branford Public Schools for over forty years.
Tom graduated from Branford High School in 1959. After earning his first of many academic degrees, he began his teaching career in North Branford teaching both social studies and physical education. From there Tom moved on to teaching science in East Haven. In 1967, armed with a master’s degree in curriculum, he returned to Branford High School to not only teach biology and history, but to be instrumental in designing a number of new curriculum initiatives. Among these was the development of a co-taught junior humanities program that integrated American literature and American history. The success of this program inspired Tom to design a senior seminar where seniors at Branford High School participated in a college level colloquium. Because Tom recognized that all students have untapped strengths, he continued to excel in the classroom challenging Branford High students to learn, to think and to become involved in their school and community. To this end he once again became a prime mover in the creation of the Youth in Government program at BHS as well as the Senior Graduation Exhibition (now known as Capstone), a culminating graduation requirement for all Branford High School students
Tom developed these creative curricular programs while at the same time serving as chairman of the social studies department, coaching four sports throughout his tenure at Branford High School and being a leader in, and executive board member of, the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, the Connecticut High School Coaches Association and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. Tom successfully translated his success in coaching to his success in the classroom. His ability to teach physical skills in an incremental way was transposed into the classroom where academic and analytical skills were developed in logical steps until the student was able to master the material. This ability to place students in a situation where they taught themselves, through the challenges he presented, created a model for self-learning that influenced many of his colleagues.
Although retired from the classroom in 2001, Tom continues his contribution to education in Branford through his roles of coordinator of the Senior Graduation Exhibition, mentor, consultant and trainer in the state mandated BEST program for new teachers and coordinator for the Southern Connecticut State University and the Yale University teacher preparation programs. On the local level Tom is a Eucharistic minister at St. Mary's Church, a board member of the Ethics Board for the town of Branford and a Trustee of the Coolidge Memorial Foundation.
Anyone who knows Torn knows his devotion to education and the students in Branford is superseded only by his devotion to his family. He will tell you his wife of over forty years, Linda, and his son Tom and his wife Jen, and his daughter Kim and her husband Chris, have been his inspiration while his newest and most revered inspiration is grandson, Thomas Aloysius Murray, V.
The consummate educator, Tom is curious and knowledgeable about how and why people learn. He has touched both the minds and the hearts of Branford citizens and students for over forty years. Indeed the Branford Education Hall of Fame welcomes native son, Thomas A. Murray.
Tom graduated from Branford High School in 1959. After earning his first of many academic degrees, he began his teaching career in North Branford teaching both social studies and physical education. From there Tom moved on to teaching science in East Haven. In 1967, armed with a master’s degree in curriculum, he returned to Branford High School to not only teach biology and history, but to be instrumental in designing a number of new curriculum initiatives. Among these was the development of a co-taught junior humanities program that integrated American literature and American history. The success of this program inspired Tom to design a senior seminar where seniors at Branford High School participated in a college level colloquium. Because Tom recognized that all students have untapped strengths, he continued to excel in the classroom challenging Branford High students to learn, to think and to become involved in their school and community. To this end he once again became a prime mover in the creation of the Youth in Government program at BHS as well as the Senior Graduation Exhibition (now known as Capstone), a culminating graduation requirement for all Branford High School students
Tom developed these creative curricular programs while at the same time serving as chairman of the social studies department, coaching four sports throughout his tenure at Branford High School and being a leader in, and executive board member of, the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, the Connecticut High School Coaches Association and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. Tom successfully translated his success in coaching to his success in the classroom. His ability to teach physical skills in an incremental way was transposed into the classroom where academic and analytical skills were developed in logical steps until the student was able to master the material. This ability to place students in a situation where they taught themselves, through the challenges he presented, created a model for self-learning that influenced many of his colleagues.
Although retired from the classroom in 2001, Tom continues his contribution to education in Branford through his roles of coordinator of the Senior Graduation Exhibition, mentor, consultant and trainer in the state mandated BEST program for new teachers and coordinator for the Southern Connecticut State University and the Yale University teacher preparation programs. On the local level Tom is a Eucharistic minister at St. Mary's Church, a board member of the Ethics Board for the town of Branford and a Trustee of the Coolidge Memorial Foundation.
Anyone who knows Torn knows his devotion to education and the students in Branford is superseded only by his devotion to his family. He will tell you his wife of over forty years, Linda, and his son Tom and his wife Jen, and his daughter Kim and her husband Chris, have been his inspiration while his newest and most revered inspiration is grandson, Thomas Aloysius Murray, V.
The consummate educator, Tom is curious and knowledgeable about how and why people learn. He has touched both the minds and the hearts of Branford citizens and students for over forty years. Indeed the Branford Education Hall of Fame welcomes native son, Thomas A. Murray.