Meet Orange's newest additions to the teaching staff.

1. Welcome to Orange!
Introducing Our New Teachers

2. Denise Hennessy
.84 Kindergarten
Mary L. Tracy
Bachelors -- Tufts University
Masters – Southern CT State
University
8 years experience: Calf Pen
Meadow, Live Oaks, and
Mathewson Schools in Milford
Reading Aide and Long-term Sub
at Mary L. Tracy

3. Denise Hennessy
Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird
Favorite Children’s Book: A Toad for Tuesday, Harry Potter
Children’s book character: Hermione from Harry Potter is a
conscientious student, and she is always there for her
friends.
Favorite Movie: E.T.
Favorite Song: “One” by U2
Fun Fact: I have been to 42 U.S. states and have driven to
39 of those.
Highlight of your Summer: Driving to Yellowstone National
Park with my family.
What do you wish you could do better? Play piano or guitar
The farthest place you’ve ever traveled: Hawaii
Favorite Quote: “You are braver than you believe, stronger
than you seem, and smarter than you think.” - A.A. Milne

4. Jennifer Acker
Grade 5 Turkey Hill
Bachelors and Masters --
Southern CT State University
7 years Experience: 21st Century
Site Manager, Orange
5 years experience: Math Aide
and Substitute Teacher, Orange
3 years experience – First LEGO
League Coach and Coordinator

5. Jennifer Acker
Favorite Book: You can’t make me choose! Pride and
Prejudice by Jane Austin
Favorite Children’s Book: Charlotte’s Web
Children’s book character: I like Annabeth Chase from
Rick Riorden’s Percy Jackson series. She is strong, independent,
and has a lot of “sass”- great qualities for a girl to have!
Favorite Movie: When Harry Met Sally
Favorite Song: “Don’t Stop Believing” - Journey
Fun Fact: I am the oldest of five children!
Highlight of your Summer: Spending time with my 9 month old daughter,
Maddie. She experienced so many “firsts”- going in the pool, going to
the beach, playing in the grass.
What do you wish you could do better? I would love to be more athletic!
The farthest place you’ve ever traveled: The Bahamas
Favorite Quote: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot
be seen or even touched- they must be felt with the heart”- Helen Keller

6. Jennifer Ziegler
Grade 6 Turkey Hill
2 Bachelors Degrees (Elementary
Ed and Spanish) -- Southern CT
State University
16 years Experience
(Kindergarten – Grade 8) –-
Rocky Mount, NC; Bridgeport;
Miami, FL; Bridgeport; New
Haven

7. Jennifer Ziegler
Favorite Book: The Lovely Bones
Favorite Children’s Book: The Westing Game
Children’s book character: I would most like to be Gilly
Hopkins because of her sassy attitude.
Favorite Movie: My Cousin Vinny
Favorite Song: “You Can’t Hurry Love” - Supremes
Fun Fact: I make the best brownies… ever!
Highlight of your Summer: Family trip to New Hampshire
What do you wish you could do better? Save money
The farthest place you’ve ever traveled: Los Angeles, CA
Favorite Quote: “Education is the most powerful weapon
which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela

8. Jennifer Russo
Art
Bachelors -- Southern CT
State University
Enrolled in Masters --
Southern CT State University
1 year Experience –-
Rowayton, Norwalk
Assistant Program Manager –
New Haven Lawn Club
Sales Associate -- Pottery
Plus, Orange

9. Jennifer Russo
Favorite Book: The Five People You Meet in Heaven.
Favorite Children’s Book: Tar Beach, By Faith Ringgold
Children’s Book Character: Harold from Harold and the
Purple Crayon. Like Harold, I am very creative, and
believe that art is a way into a whole new world!
Favorite Movie: Mystic Pizza
Favorite Song: “Defying Gravity”- Idina Menzel, Wicked
Fun Fact: I love to dance! I have been a dancer for almost 20 years.
Highlight of your Summer: Getting to spend quality time with my newborn
nephew/godson, Luca!
What do you wish you could do better? I wish I could sing better!
The farthest place you’ve ever traveled: Jamaica!
Favorite Quote: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what
is essential is invisible to the eye.” – The Little Prince

10. Eric Rothbart
Physical Education
Bachelors -- Southern CT
State University
Student Teaching –- Amity
High School and Highland
Elementary, Cheshire
4 years -- Soccer Coach for
Ultimate Soccer Academy
4 years -- SCSU Varsity
Soccer
Many honors and awards

11. Eric Rothbart
Favorite Book: any Harry Potter
Favorite Children’s Book: Oh, the Places You’ll Go
Children’s Book Character: I am like the Lorax because
we both stand up and support what we believe in.
Favorite Movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite Song: “Broken”- Jack Johnson
Fun Fact: I have been a snow board instructor.
Highlight of your Summer: My trip to Aruba.
What do you wish you could do better? Stay
organized.
The farthest place you’ve ever traveled: England
Favorite Quote: “Life is really simple, but we insist on
making it complicated.” – Confucius