Staff Bio

Joe Ferraiolo – Facilitator - Joe has been the Facilitator for EHALC for the last 19 years.  Starting as an English teacher he tried to instill his love of words in every student entering his classroom.  As time progressed, he took on more responsibility in directing the program to meet the needs of our residents.  Currently, Joe is also the East Haven School Readiness Liaison and helps promote early learning at the Overbrook Early Learning Center.  Joe is married with two children and has 5 grandchildren.

Laura DePonte – Credit Diploma - Laura was raised in New Haven County.  She graduated from West Haven High School in 1975 and S.C.S.U. in 1979 with a B.S. in Education.  She has experience in the business world, having spent 10 years with S.N.E.T.  During this time, she volunteered in many organizations such as Special Olympics and Parkfriends.  She then moved to Canada where she was brought back to teaching ESL to immigrants in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  When she returned to the states she earned her Masters at U.N.H. and her 6th Year Leadership degree from S.C.S.U.  Since 1998, she has been with East Haven Adult Education where she teaches Social Studies in the Credited Diploma Program and U.S. Citizenship Preparation for the U.S. Citizen Interview. 

Jean Copeland - Jean graduated summa cum laude from Southern Connecticut State University and has been on the faculty of Adult Ed's CDP program as an English/creative writing teacher since 2006. Prior to teaching, she worked as an office manager for a manufacturing company in East Haven. She is also an author and has published three novels with Bold Strokes Books, winning a Golden Crown Literary Society award for her debut novel, The Revelation of Beatrice Darby. One of her favorite classes to teach is creative writing. Jean has been a lifelong resident of East Haven and values her position teaching in her own community.

Karen Schmidt – NEDP - "I might not be able to change the whole world, but I can change the world for just one person. "

Dee Anderson –  ESL -Deidre Anderson received a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Southern Connecticut. After college she worked in the public relations office at Goodwill headquarters in Bridgeport. Several years later Deidre enrolled in the University of Bridgeport’s internship program for education where she earned a Master’s degree in secondary education and a teaching certificate in English. Ten years later she received a certificate in special education. Deidre has taught English and special education in various school districts. In 2011, she joined the staff as a basic ESL instructor at East Haven Education Learning Center where she finds her teaching position both fulfilling and rewarding!