Franklin Academy

A remarkable strength of Franklin Academy resides in the experienced leadership group that created the school and has managed every aspect of the school’s endeavors from the very beginning.  These administrators spent an entire year using experience, theory, and ingenuity to plan a truly unique and outstanding college preparatory program, specifically designed from the ground up for students with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Asperger's Syndrome.  Then they guided the school through its successful opening, directed the institution to fiscal self-sufficiency, and secured initial accreditation and reaccreditation ten years later through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.  Collectively, their talents, wisdom, and decisions are making a huge difference on behalf of our students.

Without a doubt, the most important responsibility of Franklin Academy’s management team is the recruitment, training, and retention of a dedicated group of teachers.  The school seeks veteran educators and young professionals who share a passion for serving students with learning differences.  We value creativity and collaboration, abundant energy and high professional standards, compassion and commitment, flexibility, initiative, and, of course, a great sense of humor!  While we will only consider candidates who demonstrate solid competency in a particular subject area, we place a priority on teachers who are able to deliver the school’s competency-based curriculum and who are eager to embrace the full life of this "round-the-clock" boarding school community.

Franklin Academy employs one full-time professional educator for every two students on campus, and we submit that this superb ratio is a prerequisite for fulfilling the school’s mission to serve students with NLD, ASD, and AS.  Our faculty average more than 11 years in the profession.  Seventy-two percent of the staff have advanced degrees, and the remainder are enrolled in graduate school courses. 

Our eleven new colleagues this year are a good mix of experienced veterans and enthusiastic newcomers to the profession. When asked why they chose to work at Franklin Academy, here are their responses.

Lorrie Bennett (Team B Humanities):  "I learned of Franklin Academy from a colleague about a year and a half ago.  Since then, I have had the good fortune to spend several days on campus learning about Franklin’s mission and the students that attend.  From my very first visit, I knew this was a special place, and I felt called to be here. When offered a position this past spring, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of this dynamic community of educators and students.  Since arriving, I have been amazed at the dedication of the current staff, and the sharing of current and past students about their time at Franklin.  I am excited to be part of an environment where success is based on teamwork, hard work, dedication, and a commitment to understanding the students' learning styles and needs.  I eagerly await the arrival of this year’s students."  

Karen Katz (Team C Counselor):  "As a mental health therapist, I have always experienced the limitations of meeting with clients once to twice a week.  True change takes a long time and even longer under those circumstances.  I have always yearned for a more impactful process.  When I found Franklin Academy's team-based model of residential education, I knew I needed to work here.  To be able to engage with  students where they live, learn, and play is a magnificent opportunity I deeply appreciate." 

Hend Salah (Team B Counselor):  "I chose to work at Franklin Academy because of the supportive atmosphere that I feel here.  I find myself fitting in and being productive as a team player.  The entire staff functions like a family, and the work is rewarding as well as enjoyable."

Jill Howard (Team C Humanities):  "Deciding to work for Franklin Academy was an easy decision.  Not only are the staff dedicated and knowledgable professionals, but the students are wonderfully keen learners, creating a perfect storm for aspiring educators.  Franklin really is a supportive and unique community, and I have come to appreciate the sense of teamwork prominently featured every single day. Everyone is invested in each other's success, and I appreciate that more than I can say."

Sadie Peden (Team B Mathematics):  "As a recent graduate entering the field of education, I was seeking a career where I would be supported and challenged everyday.  Franklin Academy perfectly fit the bill. With a welcoming faculty, opportunities to be part of multiple teams, and being able to teach a unique student population, I am sure that I will find Franklin will be the ideal teaching experience."

Fahd Rafiq (FLI Humanities):  "As someone who has lived and worked in Moodus (village of East Haddam) for the last 16 years, I have interacted with Franklin Academy’s faculty and students on a regular basis.  I learned that Franklin Academy helps transform lives of students with learning challenges, and I have wanted to work at the academy for many years.  I am very excited to collaborate with administrators and staff who are steering me towards success as I begin my journey at Franklin Academy.  Thank you for giving me this opportunity to teach!"  

Innocent Mashinyire (Team D Science):  As an international student at Wesleyan, I struggled to adapt to American college life.  Retrospectively, my college experience would have been better if I had had people to help me navigate the resources available at my school.  When I came to interview at Franklin, I was amazed by the staff’s attention to detail and by how much they care about the success of their students.  The staff members here are dedicated to making sure that the students utilize the resources that are here for them.  After my two-day interview, I said to myself, “I would be lucky to start my education career at a school with such high professionalism as Franklin Academy.” 

Samantha Camolli (Team C Mathematics):  "Once I read a description of Franklin Academy, I knew that I had to work here.  I was fascinated and inspired by the idea of providing students with special learning abilities a place to be themselves and to explore their learning with the support they need.  When I came to interview, I was overwhelmed with how friendly and determined all the teachers were.  And, since starting my work, I have been immediately welcomed into the Franklin community." 

James Turner (FLI Learning Specialist):  “After two years as a teaching intern and a short year away to complete a masters degree in Education Psychology with a focus on special education, I am delighted to rejoin the Franklin family as a learning specialist.  I look forward to guiding our FLI students to graduation and beyond." 

Royce Manifold (Teaching Intern):  “Ever since being a student here, I knew that I wanted to work for Franklin Academy because I have seen first-hand the wonders it does for each member of this community.  I believe that there is not a program like Franklin anywhere else, and and I want to help young adults become life long learners.  I hope that I will continue to benefit from the positive experience that Franklin provides while making my own contribution to the most welcoming community I have ever seen!"

Wade Tomlinson (Team B Learning Specialist):  "I am thrilled to be joining the Franklin Academy community.  My wife and I have been looking for a boarding community in a beautiful, natural setting that felt family friendly.  Franklin has been a gift in that regard.  I have joined a faculty and staff of gifted educators who are dedicated to helping students find their way in this world.  I am honored to be working alongside these amazing people and to do all I can to lift up our student body.”

For an in-depth look at Franklin Academy's faculty, we invite you to view the following video slideshow that focuses on our teachers and teams.  In addition, we have provided a downloadable pdf roster of our current staff of educators.

http://vimeo.com/86340080

If you have one minute more, please also take a look at our video slideshow about A Champion for Every Student.

http://vimeo.com/102949913

Finally, if you are the parent of a prospective student or a candidate for a teaching position at our school, you might be interested to hear the headmaster's perspective regarding the importance of our work at Franklin Academy.

https://vimeo.com/135055156