David Cutler '02 - "Teacher of the Future"

Congratulations to David Cutler '02 for being named a National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) "Teacher of the Future!"
Click here to see a description and a full list of the 2013-2014 Teachers of the Future.

Cutler Writes, "I recently met with my fellow Teachers of the Future cohorts at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia. In my seven years of teaching, I have never met a more energetic, passionate and talented group of educators. We made an immediate connection, sharing ideas about effective use of classroom technology, and how to make the NAIS chat forum more useful. At the conference, I gave a presentation on how to teach journalism in the 21st-century. Everybody was extremely receptive and impressed with The Falconer, the news site of Palmer Trinity School, where I teach in Miami, Florida. I was enormously impressed with the questions and insight offered by John Chubb, who recently replaced Patrick F. Bassett as NAIS President. Afterward, Mr. Chubb and I had a one-on-one conversation about creative assessment, and I was pleased to learn of his genuine enthusiasm for competency-based learning. 

David writes for The Atlantic magazine. Click here to read his article, "How I Talk to My High-School Students About the Internet."

David previoiusly shared with Brimmer and May. . .
"In my six years of teaching, I have learned one hard truth. Beyond displaying a mastery of content, to really reach young people in an increasingly digital age, teachers must embrace technology—for no other reason than, in spite of our loudest protests, students will find a way to remain plugged-in.

Wherever possible and within reason, I embrace the benefits of working within this new paradigm. Utilizing technology to teach substantive content makes student more engaged, while imparting necessary skills to excel in today’s digital world. Teachers face a losing proposition when insisting upon using older methods of instruction, no matter how tried and tested, when technology provides a better alternative.

Two years ago, my assistant head of school asked me to teach journalism. I agreed, but on the condition that we cease publishing a print edition and move entirely online. We both liked the idea of going green, an effort I am proud to say that my school wholeheartedly endorses. In designing The Falconer, my students learned how to build and maintain a web site, something they felt extremely passionate about pursuing. That buy-in, so to speak, earned me increased respect and authority that I drew on to teach traditional news skills.

My journalism students rely upon technology not as a substitute or crutch, but as a conduit to produce effective, interesting content. With the use of a green screen and video editing software, students pen broadcasts for anchors to read in a virtual newsroom. They then upload edited content to a video-sharing server that links directly into The Falconer. Camera-shy students also have the option of writing traditional news stories or composing editorial podcasts. Most new content contains an aspect of written journalism, and the multimedia complimenting those stories enhances our dynamic approach.

I am tremendously grateful for Sean Murphy, my head of school, who has entrusted me with such great responsibility. Never once has he asked to read an article before publication or requested that my students refrain from producing anything. I am equally grateful for having worked under Jody Weinberg, director of publications and public relations, who made me infinitely more aware of the power of published content.

Thinking back on my time in Ms. Lombardo’s journalism class with David Kazis, ’02, Tomas Byrne ’02 and Ashley Turner ‘04, I am deeply grateful for the trust she imparted onto her students. I learned so much from her, and I continue to benefit from her lessons every day."