Occupation: I am a professor in early childhood at Lehman College in the Bronx. For the last 35 years I have written most of the grants that get funded for the college. We do programs for kids in the Bronx to help them graduate from high school and get into college. We have programs for students in college to help them graduate. The Bronx is one of the most poverty-stricken sections of the United States. I am also a member on the Commission of Aging, and Board of Trustees of the library.

Family: My partner Jane and I have been together for 28 years. Friends of ours in Newtown used to throw these big holiday and July 4th parties that we would go to. We actually met ten times before but didn't really know that we met. At one particular party, I saw a license plate that said "TOSHI," which was the name of her dog that she had. So, I came in, and in my best Brooklyn accent, said, "Who has the tushie license plate?" And she's from Manhattan, so when she heard the Brooklyn accent it was very out of place in Connecticut. Eventually we got a civil union. Then on July 4th, friends of ours, who live in Clinton, and a justice of the peace did the marriage ceremony after [marriage equality] got approved [by the US Supreme Court on June 26, 2015]. So, now the day we met is the same day as our anniversary.

Pets: We have three standard poodles: Gina, who is 10 years old; Eliza Jane who is 5; and Tucker who is 3. Eliza and Tucker are both rescues from Florida Poodle Rescue. Eliza was given up because her owner had health problems, and Tucker had a medical issue. He had a stricture in his esophagus, so he couldn't eat. The rescue flew Tucker to Animal Medical Center for a doctor that does balloon therapy to stretch the stricture. When we got him he was 42 pounds, and now he is 60 pounds. He is beautiful and so lovable. All our dogs take turns and go to Masonicare. Tucker is training to be a service dog.

How long have you lived in Newtown? Since 1976, so 40 years. I moved up here, because I was working in the Bronx. I said I never wanted to live anywhere where I have to cross a bridge, so I ended up in Newtown. In '76 it was very quiet and peaceful. I felt it was the place I was meant to be. I bought a house and have been here ever since.

What do you like to do in your free time? Jane and I are members at Goodspeed Musicals. Members get perks, so over the years we have made donations and upped our membership. You get to go to a lot of rehearsals and get to meet the casts, so we have become friendly with a lot of the actors. It is really fun.

Do you have a favorite book? I read a lot of books on CD, because I drive back and forth to the city for work. I really like Linda Fairstein; she writes a lot of mystery novels based in New York City. I like Diane Mott Davidson, who writes cooking mysteries, too.

Do you have a favorite travel destination? My favorite place I have ever gone was when we went to cooking school in Italy in Montefollonico. Then we stayed for a week in Siena. That was really beautiful. I would go back there in a heartbeat.

What is the best thing about Newtown? The people and the layout of the town. It is so much like a small town, but it has all of the things you need to have a great existence and to enjoy life. It's like a very big neighborhood. The library is astounding, too.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? In 1983, a guy came to Lehman as the dean of education, Thomas Minter. I became the associate dean. He taught me a lot about education and schools. Working under him is when I started writing grants. It put me in the position where I thought I really could do this. I had a 100 percent batting average and started writing for federal competitions and institutional grants. He allowed me to develop my grant writing skills and supported me.

If you could spend the day with anyone, who would you choose? Now that I am older, it would be really interesting to spend a day with my parents and to talk to them as an adult rather than as a child. I'd ask what they think about what I've done with my life, whether they feel I have realized the hopes and dreams they had for me. When I was young, my father would say he always wanted me to be a teacher, because they always had a job. I got my doctorate at 26.

What are your favorite TV shows?and The Rachel Maddow Show Jeopardy.