Teacher Biographies

Gina Petano – Pre-K

5 years teaching Pre-K

B.S., Southern CT State University

M.S., University of New Haven

Enjoys art projects, singing, reading with children

“I promise you every day your child will learn something. Some days they will bring it home in their hands. Some days they will bring is home in their heads, and some days they will bring it home in their hearts.” – Valerie Welk

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Claire Hart – Kindergarten

Teaching since 1968 – 32 years in Archdiocese of Hartford

Also taught in Archdiocese of Columbus, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and at the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford; implemented a resource center for the mentally and physically challenged deaf students

Awards and Certificates:

Catholic Educator Award – 2001 Recipient

M.T.A. Service Award – 2012 Recipient

Cambridge Who’s Who in Education – 2007-2008

Catholic Educator – 2008-2009

“I was born to be a Catholic, Christian Educator. It is who I am, it is my calling, my passion, my life, and my world!”

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Anna Lombardo – Grade 1

36 years teaching (26 Years at St. Bernadette)

B.S. in Early Childhood Education, concentration in math

21 Credits towards as M.S. in Special Education

“The beautiful thing about learning is no one can take it away from you.” –B.B. King

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Sophia Perito – Grade 2

7 years teaching

B.S. from Temple University

I enjoy working with children, at their ability, to help them reach their dreams through education. An education should empower a child and help him or her make a positive contribution to our world.

“And all the colors I am inside have not been invented yet.” – Shel Silverstein

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Lori Gill – Grade 3

19 years teaching

18 years at Saint Bernadette

B.S. Southern CT State University

M.S. in Elementary Education from University of New Haven

It’s a priceless feeling to educate the minds of the future.

“A teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity, knowledge, and wisdom of the pupils.” Ever Garrison

“Education is the key to success in life, and teachers make a lasting impact in the lives of their students” Soloman Ortiz

“When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts.” -Dalai Lama

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Deborah Borrelli – Grade 4

32 years teaching

B.S. in Elementary Education from Southern CT State University

Each new school years brings a new beginning and my goal is to instill in my students a love for learning.

“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”

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Myree Conway – Grade 5

24 years teaching

Graduate of Southern CT State University

Hobbies include reading, crafting, and spending time with family.

“Creativity is Intelligence having fun”-Albert Einstein

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Andrea Girasulo – Grade 6-8

32 Years Teaching – mostly in 8^th grade math

M.S. in Intermediate Upper Education

“God has the last word”

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Kerry Martens – Grades 6-8 Science

Teaching for 9 years in both public and parochial schools.

University of Mew Hampshire – pre veterinary program

Cornell University – BS agricultural science

Cornell University – master of professional studies in learning, teaching, and social policy

University of Illinois – MS in natural resources and environmental science

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Brittany Buchanan – World Language & Grades 6-8 Religion

9 years teaching Spanish

7 years at Saint Bernadette

B.S. Spanish and Secondary Education from Salve Regina University

“¡Sí se puedes!” –Dolores Huerta of United Farm Workers

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Amanda Maskell – Grades 6-8 Language Arts

1st year teaching

BA in English from the University of Hartford and a Masters in Education from University of Saint Joseph’s. I am currently working towards an MS in Special Education.

Prior to entering college, I served in the US Navy as an aviation technician, specializing in calibration and soldering.

“Let us remember: one book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.” -Malala Yousafzai

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Laura Camputaro, School Secretary

12 years working at Saint Bernadette School

Attended Academy for Business Careers

Saint Bernadette School Alumni

Her three children are Saint Bernadette School Alumni

“Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

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Mary Cofrancesco

40 years experience teaching Visual Arts

Bachelor of Education (Concentration in Art Education) from Southern CT State University

Masters Degree in Art Education from Southern CT State University

Awards:

Exemplary Rating from the New Haven School System

Runner up for Connecticut Teacher of the Year

Nominated for Disney Teacher of the Year

TAPPS Award from the New Haven School System

Superintendent’s Award

Pride Awards from the New Haven Public School Athletic Department

Teacher Mentor – New Haven Public School

“An art class should be a contagious place where a student feels comfortable working ‘outside the box’. We don’t all have to be artists, but if a student knows that their teacher believes in them, it’s amazing to see what they can accomplish.”