Leadership
Administration
Dr. Benjamin N. Powers
Executive Director, The Southport School
Founder & Executive Director, The Southport CoLAB
- BA - La Salle University
- MBA - Rochester Institute of Technology
- DBA - Grenoble Ecole de Management
- Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy
- President, The Dyslexia Foundation
- Senior Scientist, Haskins Laboratories
- Director, Yale and UCONN Haskins Global Literacy Hub
- Lecturer, Yale School of Medicine; University of Connecticut
- Associate Research Professor Psychology and Educational Psychology, University of Connecticut
Years at TSS: 14
Years in Profession: 27
Dr. Hallie A. Buckingham
Director of Placement and Alumni Engagement , Student Advisor
- BS - Southern Connecticut State University
- MS - Southern Connecticut State University
- University 6th Year - Southern Connecticut State University
- EdD - Southern Connecticut State University
- Connecticut Certification: School Administration
- Connecticut Certification: Special Education k-12
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 37
Years in Profession: 37
Dr. Kathleen Gallagher
Associate Head of School for Administration, Student Advisor
- BA - College of New Rochelle
- MA - College of New Rochelle
- EdD - St. John Fisher College
- Connecticut Certification: Special Education
- Connecticut Certification: School Administration
- Trained, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 32
Years in Profession: 32
Tracey Harris
Chief Financial Officer
- BA - California Polytechnic State University
- MBA - University of Chicago, Booth School of Business
- Certified Public Accountant
Years at TSS: 1
Years in Profession: 29
Audra Hoag
Teacher; Director, Lower School; Department Head, Writing; Assistant Director, Summer Academic Program; Student Advisor
- BS - Saint Joseph's University
- MS - Saint Joseph's University
- CT Certified: Provisional Educator, Elementary Education, Grades 1-6
- CT Certified: Provisional Educator, Special Education, Comprehensive, Grades K-12
- Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
- Wilson Reading System Level I Certification
- Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 7
Years in Profession: 10
Julie Papp
Teacher; Director, Upper School; Department Head, Social Studies/Science; Student Advisor
- BA - Boston College
- MA - Fordham University
- Classroom Educator, Academy of Orton-Gillingham
Years at TSS: 22
Years in Profession: 27
Sharon Plante
Director of Education and Instructional Technology, Student Advisor
- BA - Connecticut College
- MEd - George Mason University
- 092 Leadership and Administration - Sacred Heart University
- Connecticut Certification: Professional Educator: Special Education: Comprehensive, Grades K - 12
- Wilson Reading System Level I Certification
- Co-Author - "Using Technology to Engage Students with Learning Disabilities"
- Classroom Educator, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 22
Years in Profession: 30
Jeffrey Ruggiero
Executive Director of Academic Programs & Research
- BS - Southern Connecticut State University, Special Education
- MS - Southern Connecticut State University, Learning Disabilities
- University 6th Year - Southern Connecticut State University, School Administration and Supervision
- Connecticut Certification: Special Education K-12
- Connecticut Certification: School Administration
- Associate, Orton-Gillingham Academy
Years at TSS: 35
Years in Profession: 35
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD MEMBERS
Virginia Cargill, Chair
Ellen Ringel Boyle
Jim Bradley
Andy Bria, Alum
Chester Burley
Colleen Brandon, Alum Parent
Mark Carey, Alum Parent
Mark Connelly, Alum Parent
Bob DiSabato, Alum Parent
Gary Downing
Dick Ferguson, Alum Parent
Stephen Forneris
David Holtze, Alum Parent
Karen Jeffers
Stephanie Turnier Mitchell, Alum Parent
Andree Palmgren, Alum Parent
Dr. Benjamin N. Powers
Jim Vose
Amy Watson
DIRECTOR EMERITI
Janet Brogan, Alum Parent
Barbara Evans
Lawrence Hughes
Michael LaPorta
Hugh R. Smith, Alum Grandparent
Janet L. Steinmayer, Alum Parent
Patricia Willett
Robert W. Wright
Mrs. F. Henry Berlin, 1920-1995
Stephen D. Colhoun, 1921-1991
Walter S. Robbins, 1928-2016
John D. Upton, 1909-2005
Frank P. Wendt, 1925-2018