nothin Mr. P Passes On | New Haven Independent

Mr. P Passes On

Christopher Peak Photo

Jack Paulishen tours a multimedia lab being named in his honor.

Jack Paulishen, a beloved teacher at Hillhouse High School whose lessons extended far beyond the classroom, died Thursday morning at 54 years old.

In nearly two decades of teaching, Paulishen, a social-studies teacher, inspired future politicians (including a sitting U.S. Congresswoman, Jahana Hayes) with his civics lessons, sent classes off to top colleges, and even took one student in as part of his own family. Kermit Carolina, his former principal, said Paulishen came to work every day determined to inspire hope and imagination in his students.”

It’s a great loss for James Hillhouse High School and the community. He’s a man of character, both in the classroom and outside the classroom. I think that’s why so many people looked up to him, myself as well,” added John Nguyen, a former coworker who’s now an assistant principal at Co-Op High School. He taught so many things to so many people. I think that’s why he’s a role model for so many.”

Michelle and Jack Paulishen with their student, Zanavia Nelson, a Hillhouse senior.

Even as his melanoma worsened, Paulishen kept showing up for work, missing only Tuesdays for his treatment. This spring, his fans — coworkers, students and neighbors — all surprised him by naming a multimedia room and endowing a scholarship in his honor.

Contributed Photo

Ny’aysa Moye, one of the first three students to win the Paulishen Scholarship, along with Kayla Kidd and Timothy Peters.

Ny’asya Moye, one of the first three scholarship recipients, will be headed to Albertus Magnus College to study criminal justice next year. Moye called Paulishen one of the greatest teachers at Hillhouse.”

In late May, Paulishen finally had to stop teaching. He died early Thursday morning at Connecticut Hospice in Branford, with his wife, his sisters and a neighborhood friend at his bedside.

When nobody believed in me, he did. He always told me he was proud of me, that I’m going to get somewhere in life and that I’m very smart. This man was so encouraging, he made me push myself harder,” Moye said. I was very honored to receive a scholarship. It was so unexpected, I didn’t even have a chance to say thank you or hug him one last time. But he will forever be in my heart, and I will continue to make him proud and do all the things he told me I can.”

Former students called Paulishen a man of integrity. They said he had always been there for them. Outside of his class, he coached Marshall-Brennan Moot Court and Model United Nations, oversaw the production of the yearbook and took countless pictures of school events. He set up a scholarship program at his alma mater, Fairfield University, for Hillhouse students.

He mentored students to make it through college or to follow their passions, whether they planned to run for office like Alder Darryl Brackeen, Jr., or produce music like Christopher Barnes, who goes by King Rocky B.

There is no doubt in my mind that Jack’s positive influence on this new generation of future leaders will bring about the social changes he desired and multiply his affect for decades to come,” Carolina said.

Melissa Bailey Photo

Toddchelle Young, with Michelle & Jack Paulishen

In one case, after a Hillhouse student’s family became homeless, the Paulishens took her in and became her surrogate parents. That student, Toddchelle Young, eventually left Hillhouse as the valedictorian and is now working at Georgetown University.

In a Facebook post on Thursday morning, Young called Paulishen the best part-time dad’ a part-time daughter’ could ask for.”

I do not know the pain of losing a biological parent, but the feeling that I feel now is as close as it gets,” Young wrote. Jack Paulishen, you gave me more than you’ll ever know. You gave me a home, tools to be a successful student, a parent when mine were absent, and a mentor when this professional and personal life starts to clash. You gave me your opinions even when I didn’t want to hear them.

You stepped in as if you were my blood, for me and my family when we needed you,” she added. Thank you for welcoming me into your family.” 

Young ended with a promise to live her life like Paulishen had.

Just as you’ve done, I will pay it forward,” she said. I will make a difference in someone’s life just as you’ve done for me.”

Beyond school, Paulishen also served on the Ward 25 Democratic Committee and the New Haven Democracy Fund, while supporting a number of non-profits including Marycare, Lifehaven and Columbus House. He was also a regular church-goer at Saints Aedan and Brendan Parish.

A wake will be held on Monday from 4 – 8 p.m. at Keenan Funeral Home, at 238 Elm St. in West Haven. A funeral will be held on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Saints Aedan and Brendan, at 112 Fountain St. in Westville, followed by a burial at St. Lawrence Cemetery.

Click here to donate money to the New Haven Scholarship Fund in Paulishen’s honor; designate the donation in the notes section for the Jack Paulishen Scholarship.

Christopher Peak Photo

Paulishen looks back on a picture of himself.

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