A WARM WELCOME
meet brimmer’s new head of lower school Emily Miller shares her thoughts on innovative pedagogy, joy, and the hallmarks of effective educational leadership. to find a school that was philosophicallyaligned with my own beliefs about children and education and one that was larger than where I was, but still felt small, inclusive, and community-focused. I also wanted a school that would encourage and support me in my continued growth as an educational leader. From my very first conversations with Brimmer administrators and faculty, it quickly became clear that Brimmer was exactly what I was looking for, and I was so hopeful that I was exactly what Brimmer was looking for. After visiting the School, meeting with parents, members of the faculty and staff, hearing about the School’s philosophy, and observing interactions with children, I knew I was in the right place. I never looked back, and I am beyond thrilled to join this wonderful community.
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hat lead you to Brimmer? Over the past twenty-five years, I have been very intentional in my choices in schools and my goals as an educator. Teaching and learning, brainstorming and collaborating, and puzzling through educational challenges and finding creative, forward-moving solutions have always been my passion. After seven years of working as a head of school in a small, PK – Grade 8 independent school, I felt a real pull to return to work that put me closer to students and teachers. Last year, I made a very purposeful decision to transition from a head of school position to that of a division head. This was a role I very much enjoyed earlier in my career, and I longed to circle back to it. As I began my search, I hoped
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Fall 2019
Brimmer Magazine
What are your goals for your first year at Brimmer? I want to get to know all of the Lower School students and their families and to support students’ learning and teachers’ efforts to creatively and thoughtfully curate Brimmer’s integrated curriculum. I look forward to spending time in classrooms and using my over twenty-five years of experience to support all of the thoughtful work that came before me and to lead new initiatives that are in keeping with the School’s mission and guiding principles. From our very first days together, including our opening meetings with Project Adventure, I look forward to being part of and helping further develop a collaborative, growthfocused team that is supportive, trusting, and inspired by its members. I am equally
interested in seeing how our curriculum comes alive in classrooms, assessing our pedagogical practices, and balancing skillsbased teaching with innovative practices. What are you most excited about in your new role? Knowing our Lower School students and understanding how we can best support and guide each one of them. Small schools, especially ones with an administrative and teaching structure similar to Brimmer’s, offer a strong sense of community, but they also allow us to pay close attention to the needs and interests of each individual child. With a strengths-based approach, we can meet children where they are and help guide them forward, utilizing the many resources within our school community. I look forward to playing a part in this process. I am equally excited about working with the outstanding and experienced team of educators. They bring myriad skills, talents, and sensibilities that enrich the educational path of our Lower School students. What happens in each of their classrooms is equally important as the work we do together to ensure a steady, inclusive, and comprehensive education. What is your personal philosophy on Early Childhood Education? Young children are free-spirited, joyful, and eternally curious. They engage with the world using all of their senses. Whether building with blocks, forming letters and numbers, listening
Opposite Page: Head of Lower School Emily Miller shares a bubble with a PK student on the first day of school.
