Our Mentors

1099 Mentor: 2003 - Present

Career: BHS Math Teacher (retired)  
Role on team:  Business / Public Relations Mentor

Mrs. Didsbury is one of our team's founding mentors and a lead mentor from 2003-2016. She was a math teacher at BHS and after retiring, still continues to come back and mentor the team.

1099 Mentor: 2009 - Present
Role on team: Engineering / Design Mentor

Mr. DeFreitas joined the team with his daughter, who was a student. He has come back ever since to continue mentoring the team!

1099 Mentor: 2016 - Present
Role on team: Engineering / Design Mentor

Mr. Dackow joined the team with his daughter, who was a student. He has come back ever since to continue mentoring the team!

1099 Mentor: 2018 - Present
Role on team: Engineering / Design Mentor

Mr. Ranchy joined the team with his daughter, who was a student. He has come back ever since to continue mentoring the team!

1099 Mentor: 2014 - Present
Career: Hebrew Teacher and Tutor- Bnai Israel Religious School
Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Music Major (Voice), Theatre Minor - UCONN
Role on team: Spirit Mentor

Ms. Kochman joined the team with her son, who was a student. She has come back ever since to continue mentoring the team!

"I enjoy working with the students and the other mentors. I like to see how technology and creativity inspire enthusiasm and passion in the students and give them an opportunity to learn new things and gain self-confidence and learn how to communicate their ideas and strengthen their communication skills. I also love to see how Poetry, music, design, costumes, presentation, color, public speaking and all the arts are integrated into the competitions and the game/theme for each year." -Ms. Kochman

1099 Mentor: 2013, 2018, & 2022-Present
Career: Mechanical Engineer at Retina Systems
Education: BS in Mechanical Engineering with a focus in Mechatronics - University of Hartford
Role on team: Engineering / Design Mentor

Coach T is an alum of 1099; student member from 2008-2012. She now come back as a mentor.

" My favorite part about coming back and helping 1099 as a mentor is being able to pass on the lessons my mentors instilled in me during my years on the team. " - Coach T 

1099 Mentor: 2019 - Present
Role on team: Engineering / Design Mentor

Mr. Villanueva joined the team with his son, who was a student. He has come back ever since to continue mentoring the team!

1099 Mentor: 2022 - Present
Role on team: Mentor