Tyrrell Middle School educated students in grades six, seven, and eight. It offers a total of six academic teams, two at each grade level. Five team teachers, including one team leader, share the teaching responsibilities of the core academic subjects: English/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Each team consists of approximately 125 - 130 students.

Team profiles are alike; there are equal numbers of independent, assisted, and dependent learners on each team. Students are heterogeneously grouped in classes with the exception of mathematics at each grade level, in which students are placed according to ability and the honors science classes in eighth grade.

Curriculum for each academic subject has been carefully aligned to the Connecticut state standards for academic performance. Writing across the curriculum is incorporated into all classes. Furthermore, the development of interdisciplinary units connects curriculum material whenever appropriate.

Teachers have been trained in differentiating instruction, team teaching practices, and cooperative learning strategies in order to deliver curriculum in an exciting and age appropriate manner for adolescent students. Students who need reading support receive those services from Donna Calabro and/or Tonyia Tafuto

Diamond Team (6th Grade)

Mrs. Deborah Nicol, Team Leader, English/LA

Mrs. Nina Mascetti-Johnson, Team Leader, English/LA

Mr. Todd Jones, Science  

Mrs. Sarah Garbus, Social Studies

Mrs. Ellen Cox, Math

Ms.  Joanne Mumley, Writing

Platinum Team (6th Grade)

Mrs. Beth Falcigno, Social Studies

Mrs. Sara Tedesco, Team Leader, English/LA

Mrs. MaryEllen Rosa, English/LA

Mrs. Christine Bove-Virr, Science

Mr. Daniel Goldstone, Math

Marble Team (7th Grade)   

Mrs. Joanne Mumley, English/LA 

Mrs. Holly Werenko, English/LA  

Ms. Karen Trovato, Science, Team Leader

Mrs. Jill Wright, Social Studies

Ms. Jessica Dobrowolski, Math

Mrs. Donna Calabro, Reading

Mrs. Tonyia Tafuto, Reading

Mr. Matthew Toller, Social Studies

Mr. John Richardson, Math

Mrs. Susan Gallo, Science

Granite Team (7th Grade)

Mrs. Eileen Simon, Team Leader, English/LA

Ms  Kristy Cotto, English/LA

Mr. Jay Rocca, Science

Ms. Kerri Baker, Math

Mrs. Michelle Lauer, Writing

Mrs. Donna Calabro, Reading

Mrs. Tonyia Tafuto Reading

Mr.  Matthew Toller, Social Studies

Mr.  John Richardson, Math

Mrs. Susan Gallo, Science

Pearl Team (8th Grade)

Mr. Jordan Kroll, English/LA

Mrs. Pamela Conway, Social Studies

Mr. Richard Ligi, Science

Mrs. Pamela Matfus, English/LA

Mr. John Fish, Math, Team Leader

Mrs. Michelle Lauer, Writing

Mrs. Tonyia Tafuto, Reading

Mrs. Donna Calabro, Reading

Mr. Matthew Toller, Social Studies

Mr. John Richardson, Math

Mrs. Susan Gallo, Science

Onyx Team (8th Grade)  

Mrs. Miriam Boisvert, Math

Mr. Scott Blacker, Social Studies 

Ms  Nicole Rutledge, English/LA 

Mr. Michael Terry, English/LA  

Mrs. Lisa Roman, Science, Team Leader

Mrs. Michelle Lauer, Writing

Mrs. Donna Calabro, Reading

Mrs. Tonyia Tafuto, Reading

Mr. Matthew Toller, Social Studies

Mr. John Richardson, Math

Mrs. Susan Gallo, Science

Unified Arts:

Tyrrell Middle School has one unified arts team of teachers that provide excellent instruction to all students at each grade level in the areas of art, general music, band, chorus, family consumer science, physical education and health, and technology education.  The middle school unified arts program introduces students to an exciting curriculum supported by technology.  Students in sixth grade also have a technology and research class taught by our computer teacher, Mr. Al Blancato, and our library media specialist, Mrs. Kathleen Cordone. 

Ms. April Barra, Team Leader, Choral and General Music

Mrs. Karen Kotwicki, Family Consumer Science

Mr. Andy Gargano, Physical Education

Ms. Theresa Krusewski, Physical Education

Mr. Eric Chupron, Physical Education

Mr. Stephen Mirto, Technology Education

Mr. Lee Kelsey, Art

Mrs. Barbara Skrebutenas, Band and General Music

World Language Department:

Many students have the opportunity to begin a world language in the seventh grade at Tyrrell Middle School.  In seventh grade students engage in an introduction to Spanish or Chinese.  In eighth grade, students continue on in their world language studies.

Ms   Christine Manka, Spanish

Mrs. Bianca Daniels, Spanish

Mrs. Pam Parkosewich, Spanish

Special Education:

Tyrrell Middle School has an excellent special education staff that help to modify, support, and supplement curriculum for our students with special learning needs.  We have resource room help available at each grade level, team taught classes, and self-contained English/LA and math classes.  Tyrrell is also proud to house the Life Skills class.  Speech and language services and occupational and physical therapies are provided on an as needed basis.

Our talented and gifted students benefit from Project Explore.  Each grade level is engaged in a particular field of study.  Grade 6 students have been learning all about plant life.  They have been studying cell structure, germination, and seed dispersal.  Grade 7 students have been learning about the newspaper business, while Grade 8 students have been becoming familiar with life in the 1940’s.  Project Explore classes supplement the regular curriculum with higher order activities and challenges.

Mrs. Jan Penta, Project Explore

Ms. Lisa Tassinari, 6th Grade Resource Room Teacher

Mrs. Diane Jasulavic, 6th Grade Resource Room Teacher

Mrs. Meghan Azzara, 7th Grade Resource Room Teacher

Ms. Nancy Mehmetali, 7th Grade Resource Room Teacher

Mrs. Nicole Carroll, 8th Grade Resource Room Teacher

Ms. Kelly Carroll, 8th Grade Resource Room Teacher

Ms. Bethany Stango, Life Skills

Mrs. Beverly Polgroszek, Speech and Language