Connecting Past and Present: The Brizolis Family Legacy at LJCDS

In her 36 years at LJCDS, Terri Zimmerman remembers every student she’s taught. This year, she has Theo in her kindergarten class, and his parents, Merritt Rosen-Brizolis ’05 and Alex Brizolis ’01 are over the moon. Alex was in Terri’s first class at LJCDS in 1987, and Merritt’s brother, Max, was also a student of hers. When asked what she remembered about Alex in 1987, she recalled, “He was late to school every day.” To that, Alex responded, “I think I was absent from the class picture! My parents are not good with time.”

 

Alex and Merritt didn’t know one another at LJCDS but met through two fellow alums years later. They married in 2014. “When we met, he did a spot-on impression of one of our teachers and immediately had me laughing. It’s the best-case scenario because it feels like we were high school sweethearts, even though we had separate experiences,” says Merritt. Their sons, Theo ’35 and Xander ’37, now walk the same Lower School paths they once did.

 

Alex believes Terri’s teaching method has been beneficial for Theo. “It’s an amazing feeling as a parent to have him come home with such excitement every day. He’s already reading on his own! And sometimes, I think he listens to her more than us,” Alex laughed. Terri observes that Theo is tentative and observant before jumping into class activities like his father at that age.

 

Former students visit Terri’s classroom frequently and fondly reminisce about lessons they learned there and her dance parties on Fridays. Terri says she’s still adapting her teaching methods. “I tell people that I’m an ‘edutainer’ because attention spans are getting shorter.” She instills in her students the ability to focus on completing projects while fostering an environment of enjoyment and discovery.

 

“I love how she puts the kids first,” says Merritt. “Everything Ms. Zimmerman does is in service to them becoming incredible human beings.” Merritt notes she still feels like a student on campus and struggles with calling teachers by their first names.

 

As alumni, the Brizolises feel lucky that their sons get to experience a place so special to them. Merritt says that though the buildings on campus have changed, the spirit of LJCDS remains, and she knows “whatever Theo decides he enjoys will be embraced and offered to him regularly.”

 

“I’m amazed when my students remember certain things they learned. When you’re doing it, you don’t realize the impact you’re having,” Ms. Zimmerman says. “This campus has remained true to the feeling of belonging and community. I’ve made many friends and didn’t have children, so I’ve felt fulfilled through my work.” Alex Brizolis agrees, “It really does feel like family to us.”