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ELSS of Fairfield County is a nonprofit organization [Section 501 (c)(3)]. It was established to address the academic support needs of the English learner (EL) population. ELSS is mostly comprised of college and university instructors who have extensive experience in working with EL students. Most of the students we serve are newly arrived immigrants from Central and South America. Many have experienced limited or interrupted education due to strife or poverty in their native countries. These individuals face both academic and socioeconomic challenges; hence, ELSS provides supplemental language training programs to help ensure that they graduate high school and gain entrance into post-secondary educational programs or obtain meaningful employment. By collaborating with local school districts to provide services, we are helping to close the opportunity gap in Fairfield County.


Our Board of Directors and Executive Director

 

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Marla McDaniels Heath, M.A.
President & Co-Founder
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Barbara Niemczyk, Ph.D.

Vice President 

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Jane Carlin, M.A.

Secretary

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Andrew C. Gillick, MAcc

Treasurer

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Tom Sobocinski, M.A.

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Peter Shaker, M.S.Ed. 
Executive Director & Founder          
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Honorary Members of the Board

Kirsten DeConti Ziotas, Ph.D.

Co-Founder 

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Donna Tagliarino, M.A.
Co-Founder
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Virginia Stephens, M.B.A.
Co-Founder
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