Jim Petela

Teacher at Branford Board of Ed

Jim Petela is a long-time educator and influential figure at Branford High School in Connecticut. Here are some key details about his career and contributions:

Teaching Career

Jim Petela has been teaching at Branford High School since 1993, focusing primarily on AP U.S. History and World Views (a philosophy and comparative religions course).1 He is known for his engaging teaching style and ability to connect with students.

Educational Background

Graduated from Branford High School
Earned a bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1985
Received teaching certification from Wesleyan University in 1989
Obtained a Master's degree in History from Southern Connecticut State University in 20043 4

Achievements and Contributions

Model Congress Founder: Petela founded the Branford High School Model Congress program in 1994, which has since become one of the largest in the state and country. He has taken over 2,000 students to nearly 100 Model Congress conferences, primarily at Yale, Harvard, Princeton, and Penn.4

Academic Excellence: Under Petela's guidance, his AP U.S. History students have consistently scored above the national average on AP exams. In 2009, his students achieved a remarkable 24 perfect scores (5's) and 22 near-perfect scores (4's).3

Extracurricular Involvement: Petela has organized numerous field trips, invited guest speakers to his classes, and conducted fundraising events to support student scholarships and the Model Congress program.3 4

Personal Background

Born on January 27, 1963, to Mary and Stan Petela
Attended St. Mary's School and Branford Intermediate School before Branford High School
Excelled in basketball during his high school years, earning All-State and All-American honors2 3

Recognition

Inducted into the Branford Sports Hall of Fame in 2005
Member of the New Haven Tap Off Club Hall of Fame
Inducted into Branford's Education Hall of Fame3

Jim Petela announced his retirement in September 2023, concluding a 30-year career at Branford High School.1 His impact on students and the community has been significant, leaving a lasting legacy in education and extracurricular activities at Branford High School.