Faculty Professional Development
Brimmer faculty participated in a wide range of professional development over the summer.
Middle & Upper School Art teacher Brent Ridge attended an AP Studio Art Seminar at St. Johnsbury Academy in the rolling hills of Vermont. During this week-long seminar with AP Studio Art portfolio reader and consultant Joanne Winkler, the attendees studied the expectations, structure, and pedagogy of the AP Studio Art course. Time was set aside to look closely at how the portfolios of AP Studio Art are assessed, and sample portfolios were diagnosed through group discussion. Attendees were challenged to create art projects in the three portfolio categories of drawing, 2-D, and sculpture. Each attendee was required to create a mini-concentration portfolio of twelve works complete with an artist statement and displayed for the entire AP Seminar in an impromptu art show on the final night of the week. Brent’s AP concentration is based on the lack of water in his hometown of Flint, MI, and his image-based abstraction series is entitled: “This Land is Thirsty”. This exercise engaged the prospective AP Studio Art teacher with the experience of their future students, to empathize with the demands of the class on the student to complete the same goal.
Middle & Upper School Art teacher Brent Ridge attended an AP Studio Art Seminar at St. Johnsbury Academy in the rolling hills of Vermont. During this week-long seminar with AP Studio Art portfolio reader and consultant Joanne Winkler, the attendees studied the expectations, structure, and pedagogy of the AP Studio Art course. Time was set aside to look closely at how the portfolios of AP Studio Art are assessed, and sample portfolios were diagnosed through group discussion. Attendees were challenged to create art projects in the three portfolio categories of drawing, 2-D, and sculpture. Each attendee was required to create a mini-concentration portfolio of twelve works complete with an artist statement and displayed for the entire AP Seminar in an impromptu art show on the final night of the week. Brent’s AP concentration is based on the lack of water in his hometown of Flint, MI, and his image-based abstraction series is entitled: “This Land is Thirsty”. This exercise engaged the prospective AP Studio Art teacher with the experience of their future students, to empathize with the demands of the class on the student to complete the same goal.
Grade Four Teacher Gemma Kevaney participated in an online course offered by TERC called Supporting Math Learning. Working with teachers from across the country, they explored ways to create a classroom community that supports math learning. Gemma states, “one of the most powerful tools we used was the work of Professor Jo Boaler of Stanford University. Professor Boaler emphasizes helping students develop a growth mindset by encouraging productive struggle and viewing errors as learning opportunities. Helping students develop collaboration skills as well as critiquing skills were also important aspects of the online course experience. Incorporating the use of the CCSS Mathematical Practices was the guiding standard to help ensure all students become mathematically proficient.”
Director of Innovation and MS/US Art teacher Kathryn Lee and MS/US Science Teacher Bethany Shannon attended the Constructing Modern Knowledge Summer Institute. This project-based workshop provided opportunities for Kathryn and Bethany to engage in intensive technology-rich projects with peers and experienced faculty. Kathryn’s team explored the programing capabilities Adruino, Processing, and Scratch to create an interactive Lite-Brite-inspired light wall. Bethany’s team worked with 360 degrees image capturing software and to develop an interactive virtual reality, choose-your-own-adventure world. Both Kathryn and Bethany also attended presentations by notable speakers such as Carla Rinaldi, President of the Reggio Emilia School, and James Loewen, Author and Historian as well as workshops given by technology experts. Both Kathryn and Bethany are excited to bring these new skills and experiences to the Brimmer community.
Grade One teacher Sara Murray attended a Wonder of STEAM workshop at Wheelock College. The workshop was led by Yvonne Liu-Constant, faculty at Lesley University, and her graduate students and focused on exploring the Wonder of Learning Exhibit through the lens of STEAM. What do the children in Reggio Emilia wonder about in the realms of science, math, and engineering, and how do the teachers so seamlessly integrate technology and art? The group met for an introductory discussion, explored the exhibit with focus questions on STEAM, and shared insights and experiences.
Director of Academic Services Danielle Bartone participated in The Stanley H. King Counseling Institute. The institute is a week-long residential program to practice deep listening counseling strategies and learn about the way in which they can work with adolescents coping with stress and trauma surrounding the myriad of challenges that face young people today. Particular focus was given to concerns surrounding race, class, and gender as well as mental health and depression. The course used modeling, lecture, small discussion and role-play to analyze, explicate, and address how these concerns and challenges might affect students and faculty/administrators alike.
Director of Extended Day April Buscher attended the Heart Mountain Pilgrimage in Wyoming – a yearly educational weekend to learn about the Japanese American Incarceration at that site during WWII. From August 1942-November 1945, Heart Mountain housed more than 10,000 Japanese Americans who were forcibly relocated (and imprisoned) from the Pacific Coast region of the US. Alongside survivors and their descendants, April toured the remaining structures, a war memorial dedicated to the 442nd and other soldiers from camp, and met civil rights leaders Norm Mineta and Karen Korematsu.
Brimmer and May School
69 Middlesex Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
As an inclusive private school community, Brimmer welcomes students who will increase the diversity of our school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under state or federal law, in the administration of our educational policies, admissions practices, financial aid decisions, and athletic and other school-administered programs.