One of My New Favorite, Daily Hobbies, especially During Pollen Season is Heading to the Car Wash on the Way Out of the Neighborhood

Actually, the car wash is by the high school on the way to I-95, and it's a no-brainer to stop on the way into work each day as it's on the way and easy. I used to stop here and there for $24, but then they had a $27 monthly deal where you can stop as much as you like. Yes, you can even go round and round and round if you choose. I am telling people my car is better bathed than I am. 

And she got another washing yesterday. I worked from home in the morning taking advantage that there was a full day ahead with nothing on the calendar. I worked on grants. I worked on summer programs. I worked on emails. I finally decided to get a package off to my cousin in Amagansett after sitting on it for a month. Getting to FedEx brought me to the car wash - a no brainer. Karal was with me, too, and we ventured on to campus so I could unload my car with summer books into my office (that has no more space left). I actually brought Karal indoors with me and she was wonderful. She visited offices and stayed pretty chill, always looking to the door for my return. 

A little end-of-the-semester canine therapy which all seemed to enjoy. 

I got home to walk Karal (it was supposed to rain all day but cleared in the afternoon). All it took was for Pam to say 'steak sandwiches' and I was out the door to Paradise Pizza to pick them up. Also got a gorgonzola salad which is, hands down, one of my favorite salads to eat.

Today shall be a lot like yesterday. My major goal is to pull everything from the garage, clean it out, and get the books in order. It's a giant mess in there and could use some sorting. I also want to get my hands in the soil, the flowers planted, and the perennials thinned and moved to new locations. I'm pretty ambitious for the day, but know my weekend is hijacked by both graduation ceremonies. 

I also want to read, but I'm sort of addicted to audio books because I can multi-task and do more than one thing at once (and reading is so stationary).

Ah, but I'm moving on with the day. It's a Friday with no agenda...feels so good after the year that just was.

And Thus Ends a Three-Night Streak of Awards & Recognition. Tonight Was for the SEHD Dean Award and Dr. Campbell and I Are Proud of Victoria

I believe it is true that Thursday and Friday are complete without any obligations to attend ceremonies and hand out awards. There's two-days off before Saturday commencement for graduates and Sunday commencement for undergraduates. Always fascinating to see which of my colleagues show. 

Last night, Dr. Anne Campbell and I got to celebrate Victoria Tomé as the 2026 Dean's Award for Academic Excellence from the School of Education and Human Development. Although Victoria finished in December, she'll graduate with her 6th year this Spring. She's been an all-start and we had a lot of fun celebrating her last night with her son Tiago, who was getting restless with all the talking of the Dean and President. He was there for his mommy and we were there for him (even had him come to the Mic to help us give the award You can see how thrilled he was about having to attend his mother's achievement. 

ESTP Dean’s Award – Victoria Tomè

Bryan: Good Evening, I’m Sonny,

Anne: And I’m Cher,

Bryan: And tonight we are going to perform a couple of songs for you.

Anne: Actually, no Bryan, we’re here because we have the honor of announcing the 2026 Dean’s Award for Educational Studies and Teacher Preparation to Victoria Tomè.

Bryan: Unfortunately, our Chair Dr. Emily Shamash was unable to make tonight’s event, and she asked us to introduce Victoria to all of you. 

Anne: Victoria Tome, a student from the 6^th Year Certificate of Advanced Study program in Bilingual Education. Tori completed her degree in December of 2025 and will be graduating this year at the 2026 commencement. This was her second degree at Fairfield. In Spring 2021, she earned to MA with initial certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Bryan: And both of us had the privilege of mentoring and guiding her for the past couple of years. 

Anne: Victoria truly embodies the Jesuit principle of service to others, as evidenced by her work as an ESL teacher at Shelton High School. Her passion for language learning and her dedication to meeting the needs of immigrant and refugee high school students comes from a very deep place in her heart.” Victoria has been a powerhouse in advocating for immigrant and refugee youth in her district. She is very adept at finding resources and navigating ways to serve the needs of students with limited English language abilities. She consistently champions best practices for working with English language learners and has offered professional development to teachers at her school and across the district.

Last year, she completed a capstone action research project entitled “Curriculum Design to Teach Academic Reading and Writing to Long Term English Learners.” For this project she researched best practices, documented the needs of her students, and designed a semester course that she taught fall 2025. 

Bryan: In addition, she has published two articles: “Empowering Multilingual Learners with YA Literature to Bridge Cultural Divides in Secondary Classrooms” on YA Wednesday, an online resource for teachers and scholars of young adult literature; as well as “Ten Ways to Teach Your Kids About Love” in Power of Words, a publication of the Connecticut Writing Project.

Anne: Victoria Tomé is an SEHD gem – a true emblem of teacher leaders who give everything to their students, career, and graduate studies. Her brilliance was obvious from day one, and her willingness to use knowledge from her coursework into her everyday practice made her unique. 

Bryan: She represents the best of Jesuit Education, caring for her students in tremendous ways. She is truly deserving of the Dean’s Award.

Anne: Please welcome us in congratulation Victoria as this year’s Educational Studies and Teacher Preparation recipient. 

Super proud of our student. It's always wonderful to honor the good ones!

 

 

With Tremendous Respect and Total Appreciation of Dr. Anne E. Campbell, Professor Emeritus at Fairfield University

It is always an honor to speak in recognition of someone you admire and who has helped to make you the person you are. Last night, I had the privilege of offering remarks for Dr. Anne Elizabeth Campbell who is retiring from Fairfield University this summer. She's an angel, a professional, a kind leader, and a stellar mind. I will miss her, but wanted to put my remarks online so they can be shared with others. 

 Retirement Remarks for Dr. Anne Elizabeth Campbell

~Bryan Ripley Crandall

12. May, 2026

Fairfield University

Oak Room

 

         It was around this time last year, during a meeting with Educational Studies and Teacher Preparation, that I looked to Dr. Anne Campbell and said, “Wait. If you retire next year, that means I’m the senior guy in the department.” She simply laughed as if to say, “Yup, it’s your turn, sucker.”

 I’ve always been a good joke to the school, but I did go into absolute panic mode. I realized I only had one year left to absorb every ounce of my colleague before she left. – whatever will I do without Anne in the year to come? 

Hello, I’m Bryan Ripley Crandall and I am represent the School of Education and Human Development, and Dr. Anne Elizabeth Campbell has been central to the majority of what I’ve achieved while I’m here: she’s my colleague, a mentor, a phenomenal educator, a counselor, a social worker, and a therapist. She brings both humanity and literacy learning to our school and profession, earning every letter of S.E.H.D.  And Lord knows she has worked overtime to take achieve what she has. 

Vincent J. Duminico, S.J., reminds us that a Jesuit Education is the pursuit of human excellence and it relies on the spirit of community. It means adapting scholarship with methods that achieve purposes and outcome more effectively, as we aim to live lifelong pursuit of knowledge with openness. There isn’t one steward, but a collective stewardship to do better for the world. At the same time, a Jesuit education has an intentional concern for the impoverished, the disenfranchised, and the forgotten. This is, and has always been, the center of Dr. Anne Campbell’s work. She is the mission of the university with and has single-handedly filled the majority of our K-12 schools in southern Connecticut with literacy expertise for working with students who speak a second, third, fourth, and even fifth language..  When you dedicate your life to working with kids…and your mission is always in support of English language learners and teachers, you learn exactly what it means to be a human being. Your job is to assure that others belong, too.

Last year during this same ceremony, Dr. Campbell put her hand on my hand, and said, “I want you to be my speaker next year.” “Oh, God Bless,” I thought. She knows what a foolish imp I am (and I promised myself I’d keep the better material for after the party). Even so, you do need to know the first time I met Anne she was returning to dinner with her mentor, Sister Julianna, and I heard them laughing about their tapas experience. At the time, ignorant of such an eating experience as a newly minted Ph.D and first-generation educated college student – I am  still learning English too – I was perplexed by what I was hearing. I actually went into the office of Pam Kelly, Assistant to the Dean, completely confused. “Can I ask you something,” I inquired. Pam knows much more about Catholic traditions than I do, but my inquiring mind wanted to know. “Why would Sister and Anne be at a topless bar?”

True story. I own my ignorance. And now for more formality.

Dr. Anne Elizabeth Campbell has been outstanding faculty member at Fairfield University since 2008, when she was hired as Assistant Professor of TESOL and Bilingual Teacher Education and Program Coordinator of Secondary World Languages. She was welcomed after her previous appointment at Washington State University, Pima Community College, and several locations throughout higher education in Florida.  In 2011, Dr. Campbell was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure at Fairfield University where she continued to be an irreplaceable leader in our department and for our students. Most recently, she took on an additional role as Co-Director of Secondary Education 4-Year Certification Tracks, to assist our department as we move to offer the Curriculum & Instruction undergraduate major.

I’ve learned from Dr. Michelle Farrell the power of courageous friendships…that is, the strength that comes from being professional colleagues who discuss teaching, theory, politics, service, research, and everyday life with complete integrity, brutal honesty, and irreplaceable listening. I mention this, because Dr. Campbell has been one of my most courageous friends I’ve ever had in this profession. Her gifts are multiple, and include an unwavering kindness, a tremendous dedication to the Jesuit Mission, her institutional knowledge (oh, if these walls could talk), and decades of incredible expertise in her field, including her short stint as Carmen Miranda, the Brazilian bombshell with a fondness for fruit hats. She’s also my therapist. We talk regularly.

For five years, 2012 - 2017, Dr. Campbell was the P.I. and Co-Director of the B.E.S.T. Education Project, a 1.4 million dollar investment from the United States Department of Education to bring Bilingual, Special Education, and TESOL teacher certification together. This impressive accomplishment followed the other 1.2 million dollar investment from 2009-2012, called SETTEL. The funding provided opportunities for numerous educators earning a certification from Fairfield University and helped establish a project with Cesar Batalla School a year later, with an additional award of $150,000.

Anne’s academic achievements only tell some of the story, though. Victoria Tomé, recipient of a 2026 Dean’s Award from the School of Education and Human Development shared,

Dr. Campbell’s passion and intelligence are equally matched with her kindness and empathy. I was

so fortunate to learn from her, and she is a true personal hero of mine because of the way she advocates for English learners and students. The impact of her work will be felt for generations to come; through her own teaching and through the teachers she has influenced so deeply! 

Arlette Johnson, award-winning principal at Franklin Elementary School in Stratford, Connecticut shared, 

Dr. Campbell’s calm presence and fierce dedication to equity influenced how I approach teaching and student learning. She always kept student growth at the center of her work, particularly for multilingual learners like me. Her support and guidance helped me grow as an educator who believes deeply in every student’s potential. I am very grateful for her leadership and influence. 

Additionally, William King and Jessica Baldizon, who I like to think of as the offspring of Dr. Campbell and me (hey, it was a night after Brazilian music at a tapas bar… It could happen), acknowledged,

"Dr. Campbell was one of the most influential educators we have had the privilege to be taught by. We will forever deeply appreciate the great care she put into our journeys as she helped us along our initial certification coursework to become multilingual learner educators.  The seeds she planted in us have allowed us to teach with hope. This, of course, resulted in Elijah and Kiara, our grateful twins, who are thankful Dr. Campbell admitted us into the program where we met."

All of us in the School of Education and Human Development and many across the campus have benefited from Dr. Anne Campbell’s brilliance and guidance, and it will be a difficult year ahead not having her down the hall. I am a better man because of my time spent with her and I’ve always loved having her as an inspirational colleague.

 

Please join me in congratulating her retirement and honor of being named Professor Emeritus at Fairfield University. 

 

 

 

Tis That Time of Year When We're Trying to Close Shop, But the Shop Keeps on Demanding. Ah, But It's Student Celebration Time and I Got a Two-fer Yesterday

I was frantically leaving an Academic Council meeting when I ran into three seniors: Delaney, Cara, and Alyssa, all seniors on the Women's Softball team who will be retiring to our graduate program, who happened to be on a photo-shoot in white dresses (a tradition at the University) outside of Bellarmine Hall as I scurried like a rat from one building to another where I was hosting a Celebration of Teachers and Teaching.

It put a smile on my face because I'm excited to celebrate student athletes: a pitcher, a catcher, and a 1st base(wo)man who happened to be academic all-stars, too. They come back for the 5th year, and I am lucky to have them in my graduate research course. I already have big ideas for them and can't believe they've already finished four years of college courses. Sad that they didn't make it as far as they wanted to go in the MAAC tournament but happy to see them supermodeling outside the campus hub.

I ran over to celebrate 26 student teachers, their supervisors, and the host teachers (including Tori who was once my student who is now hosting student teachers) in an evening program where the principal of Notre Dame High School spoke as a keynote. It was a great even and I was happy to see three of the English Education folks making it to completion after an exhausting semester of hard, unpaid, and relentless work at their host schools.

And this brings me to Tuesday, where back to back faculty meetings lead to a retirement celebration. I'm proud of Emmi, Eva, and Shane, who came out of nowhere last year as post-BAs looking to get their certification. They became my right and left hands for CWP and now they will be moving to the market.

I had all the students in attendance at last night's celebration except three, and I wanted to be there to applaud the incredible semester they just had (and to gift them autographed books of Youth World I got at Possible Futures last week. 

My crew looked good, but the over census was that everyone was extremely exhausted from the student teaching that just was (I remember, too, attending a similar occasion in Louisville in 1996 and coming to celebrations with bag under my eyes, the need for a bed, and the thought, "Celebrating this experience isn't the word. I need a vacation." The students juggle graduate courses and full-time, unpaid work.

Ah, but they made it. Always a great event at Fairfield University and if it wasn't for the traffic/construction on the way home...1.5 hours to go 4 miles...it would have been a perfect day.

You know it is the end of the semester when you simply can't wait until you have a second to mow the lawn. That will be this morning (fingers crossed). I hope.

Legging Go of My Youth, I Guess. 30 Years of Running (now walking) & My Ankles Are Catching Up. Invested in Some Ol' People @$@#!

In my early 40s I had varicose veins removed. They were really bad on my left and right side and they did this really cool procedure that used laser and electricity to remove them. That made me glad, as I always liked my legs, especially during my running days. I loved standing on my tip toes to show off my calf muscles. Well, in the last couple of years I've noticed my left ankle was swelling. At times it was turning purple and bruising easy. This, with the psoriasis, made it embarrassing to wear shorts in the summer. I just can't win. 

Tremfiya has taken care of the psoriasis...there are just freckles of it here and there, so I read up on curing edema, which there is none, but compression socks help. I don't need them on my feed (and hopefully I never will), but I wanted to try them on my left ankle. They come in pairs, but I only need it for one side right now. 

I tell you what...as soon as I put it on, I felt like my ankle was healing. the circulation has been so bad and there is so much fluid, that it actually throbs when I hike every day (I really really want to run, but have been told by the hernia surgeon, YOU MUST STOP). I definitely don't want to give up walking every day. I need to move. It's the only mental reprieve I give myself each day (everything else is so cerebral). 

So, I'm on day two of the compression anklet and I love it. It feels like it is holding me together (and yes, this could pass). I just don't know why the left side has chosen to be a repository for fluids...but it has. And I am trying to live with it, so the socks are a thing now.

Ah, but on another note, I finished grading. Phew. Just have one outstanding project that hasn't been turned in and I'm sure it will get here eventually....full-time teacher who has a lot on his plate. I get it. The profession is impossible and when you're doing the profession and taking classes, it can be outright miserable. So, Mr. Flexible I become. At least it is only one student this year.

Here we go, Monday...but it's starting to wind down....FINALLY.

Happy Day of Treating Your Mother Right (Although I Screwed Up & Added to Her Daily Stress with a GrubHub Card). My Bad. Happy Mother's Day to All Who Celebrate.

I learned my lesson the year I waited until Father's Day to double celebrate my mother for a parental two-for-one. I thought Happy Mother-#$@#$'s Day was a nice approach. Technically, it covers two territories, but I learned it's more crass than loving. That is why I was forced to watch Mr. T, so I could get advice from an expert.

I wanted to send chocolates, but that really isn't a thing any more, and she has enough pajamas for the next three decades. I often offer flowers and they're nice, but they fade to quickly, and getting outdoors to look at perennials is an unlikely affair. I was thinking the best strategy would be addressing her biggest complaint - the need for a meal beyond Meals-on-Wheels from one of her favorite locations. I selected GrubHub to the rescue, remembering that it took me a while to figure out when Sue McV sent a card to me. Once the efforts are decoded in digital spaces, it's actually quite easy...but I typically pick up the food, which I didn't factor in. Don't think Dad can use the lawn mower to travel that far anymore.

Ah, but it's thankful to have opportunity to try for a nice gesture in celebration of MOMS, even if we typically get it wrong (and I'm hearing from many, at least you have a mom to celebrate...many have lost theirs). 

So, GrubHub it was and is. If one nice, out-of-the-blue dinner comes from it then it is a great thing, even if it is Burger King. Sadly, I'm not in Syracuse for in-person affairs, but I do what I can through the yearly blog and another JibJab celebration. I went to send a card, but the cheapest one was $9 (what? Are they trying to be a gallon of gas these days?). I opted for digital joy instead, including a classic from Mr. T.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! And Happy Mother's Day to all the other Moms out there. Here's to you.

I Don't Actually Own A Reset Button, But I Am Going to Pretend I Do. I Shall Hit It Today After Grading (If I Finish) and I Will Sever from the Insanity

My Friday for grading was a failure. Why? Bussing fiasco 2026 when school districts push against field trips and make payment for buses virtually impossible. If the university would allow me to take out cash, I would and I'd drive it to the schools so they can pay for the buses, because they no longer allow for 3rd parties to pay for buses - it must come from the school. So, now the paper work goes between three entities, all with layered bureaucracy. I just shake my head in disbelief. I have funding. It's for buses. Let me pay you. 

Nope. Now, it's weeks of additional paper work and waiting. I always shake my head and colleagues and administrators who don't understand. They don't understand because they send such work to others to take care of and report back to them. I don't have such help. I once did, but it's dwindled over the years and has never been replaced.

I do know, that the pace I've been keeping for over two years (2? more like 15) needs to slow down. I think I'm more over the edge than usual because of the two sections of research over the winter break. There has not been down time in way over a year.

I will not be teaching in June. I am separating. I will have to prepare CWP work, but I need the summer months to restore faith in what matters, what is good, and what is possible. 

Today it shall rain. I will grade. I can't let anything distract me because it needs to get done; afterwards, I still have mountains to accomplish, but I can separate it from students, the departmental demands, the planning, the teaching, and the assessing. I should be able to breathe.

I am so ready to reset.