Member of the Month

NYS TESOL Member of the Month: September 2024

In Loving Memory of Jillian Branciforte 

It is with deep sorrow that we remember our beloved colleague, Jillian Branciforte, a dedicated ENL teacher whom we lost suddenly on September 6, 2024. Jill was known for her vibrant spirit, genuine care for her students, and involvement in various volunteer activities.

Jillian's enthusiasm for language and cultures was evident in her educational journey, as she earned degrees in Spanish from St. John Fisher University and TESOL at Nazareth University. She was a fierce advocate for her students and a positive presence in the Greece Central School District, where she was the lead teacher for the district’s 6-12 Newcomer Program. 

As a member of NYS TESOL, Jill co-presented at the 2022 NYS TESOL Annual Conference. Her session was a virtual school visit titled "Providing a Welcoming and Affirming Environment at Greece Olympia High School." Jill made many connections with colleagues when she attended the 2022 & 2023 NYS TESOL Annual Conferences in person, and was looking forward to presenting at this year’s annual conference in Rochester. 

Jillian was also eagerly anticipating her upcoming wedding in December 2024. As we mourn her loss, we honor Jill’s legacy as a member of NYS TESOL, reflecting on the indelible impact she had on our community and the countless lives she touched. Her light will continue to inspire us all.

"I know how blessed I am to work with multilingual learners and their families and I can’t imagine doing anything else!"

I have taught ENL in the North Syracuse Central School District for fourteen years. Prior to that, I taught middle school Spanish and fifth grade in Albany City School District’s Dual Language Program. I’m fortunate to say that while studying TESOL at SUNY Albany, our master’s program sent its graduate students to NYS TESOL conferences both years of study. As a result I’ve known of the great connections, resources, and advocacy that NYS TESOL embodies for a very long time.

"Working with multilingual learners and their families is my passion."

There is something very, very special and unique about the connections we get to make. I find these connections are often at their most essential when newcomer families come into our district. For me, home visits are a great way to build relationships and get to know my new students and their households. Through home visits, I can determine if there are any acute needs in the home. It’s immensely rewarding to help families get connected to needed resources so that they can really take agency over their new lives in our community. 

"English language learners arrive with a wealth of experience!"

I strive to integrate their language and prior knowledge into my lessons to create a positive educational environment through music, storytelling, and games.

I have always been interested in different cultures and second language acquisition, having gone to Sao Paulo, Brazil as a student ambassador while a junior in high school. As an undergraduate
student at Smith College with a minor in Spanish, I also traveled to San Jose, Costa Rica, where I
volunteered at a day care center. In Brazil, I acquired a working knowledge of Portuguese, and
in Costa Rica, Spanish.  

"I realized the importance of living the language, which has subsequently helped me to understand some of the challenges my students face in learning English."

After graduating from Smith College, I earned my MA in TESOL from Teachers College,
Columbia University and an MS in Education from SUNY New Paltz.

I have taught ENL at Pocantico Hills School in Sleepy Hollow, NY for sixteen years, where I have served on the diversity and global dimensions committees. I am also a board member of the Westchester Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute for Nonviolence, and a member of the Westchester Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.

Along with my colleague, Marina Lombardo, I wrote the article, Tapping Into English Language
Learners’ Superpowers Through Creative Storytelling. This chapter is featured in the NYS
TESOL e-book, Supporting Student Success Through Community Asset Mapping, edited by
Nicole Bell, Jasmin Cowin, and former NYS TESOL president, Ching-Ching Lin. I also
contributed the story, Bajan Memories: Always in My Heart, to the collection Growing Up in an
Immigrant Household and Community, edited by Vicky Giouroukakis of Molloy University.
In my free time, I enjoy playing the piano, reading, and writing.

NYS TESOL is a wonderful community of dedicated educators, and it has been an important part
of my life since I started my career as an ENL teacher. I am truly honored to be recognized as
NYS TESOL Member of the Month.

"I am excited to build connections not only with my students, but their families as well so they feel empowered with a voice in their education." 

I am an ENL teacher at Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES in Upstate NY.  Prior to teaching, I ran a daycare and was a foster parent. After adopting my daughter, who requires specialized instruction, I discovered how difficult it was to advocate for a child's needs in the school system. I am inspired by those who stepped up to help when I was lost and hope to be that same light for others.  

My desire is to make a difference in the lives of those I encounter by meeting them where they are and honoring who they are.

Working collaboratively with families and fellow teachers, creating lifelong connections, and providing students and their families with the support they need is essential to the growth of our community. 

I am excited to build connections not only with my students, but their families as well so they feel empowered with a voice in their education. I enjoy attending a variety of professional development opportunities, working with classroom teachers to make learning accessible for my students, and investigating opportunities for them within their community.  

It is a blessing to have such wonderful individuals in my life. Their presence makes all the difference. I am humbled to be recognized as the NYS TESOL Member of the Month.