Teaching Excellence Initiative Makes a Difference

Teaching Excellence Initiative Makes a Difference

By Bekah Wright

When Kevin Yi ’24 was ready to enter high school, he knew exactly where he wanted to attend: Choate. “Kevin has grown more mature, open-minded, and responsible since being at Choate,” his mother Jennifer Ho P ’24, ’25 observes. Head of School Alex D. Curtis isn’t surprised. “Teaching is at the heart of Choate. Boarding school faculty are so incredibly important,” he says. “They’re committed to the craft. For them, teaching is a calling, a way of life.”

Through Choate Rosemary Hall’s Teaching Excellence Initiative, Choate, in turn, is expressing its commitment to these dedicated individuals by increasing salaries. Curtis says, “Teaching is transformative, and Choate is committed to maintaining the excellence that has been the School’s hallmark.”

With instrumental support from Tony James ’69, chairman of Jefferson River Capital and former president of The Blackstone Group, the School set an initial goal of raising $10-12 million to fund the Teaching Excellence Initiative. In 2022, James pledged $4 million via a one-to-one matching challenge grant. Of his commitment James has said, “Faculty are the school’s most important asset. They have dedicated their professional lives to challenging, encouraging, and inspiring the next generation. Through this initiative, we can ensure that Choate faculty are compensated at competitive rates, which will help attract and retain the very best teachers.”

Response to James’ challenge grant has been overwhelmingly positive. “A number of people who had already made a gift to our Inspire the Next campaign felt Tony’s gesture was so meaningful they wanted to be a part of it,” Curtis says. “We’ve had additional gifts from people who’d already done something tremendous for the broader capital campaign. The importance of teachers resonates with a lot of people.”

Among the first-round donors was Ho. When visiting on a Family Weekend, she was excited to see the School through the eyes of son Kevin and his younger brother Henry ’25. Right away, she was impressed by the teachers. “I’ve witnessed the teachers’ dedication,” she says. “They carry heavy workloads — not only teaching in the classroom, but by being in charge of the dormitories, others with sports and extracurricular activities.” She continues, “They’re responsible for students’ personal safety, studies, and mental health. You can’t replicate that kind of leadership, that kind of heart.”

Ho wasn’t the only donor eager to invest. So, too, was David Kestnbaum ’00; he is an example of how the response from donors has been passionate and replete with stories of how Choate faculty have made a lifelong impact in their lives. During his first year at Choate, Kestnbaum was a fourth former living in Edsall House, where his house advisers made a difference in his life.

Kestnbaum, Senior Managing Director for Blackstone Private Equity, sees the Teaching Excellence Initiative as an opportunity to give back. “Choate’s terrific faculty is the linchpin of what makes the School, its community, and well-known academic rigor so excellent,” he says. “I’m proud to support the Teaching Excellence Initiative to ensure Choate faculty receive competitive salaries relative to peer schools. I’m grateful to Tony James for taking a leadership role around the program.”

Arthur B. Page ’69 also sees Choate’s Teaching Excellence Initiative as a way of making a big difference in teachers’ lives. “Investing in teachers is a key to the special sauce,” he says. “This initiative levels the playing field so Choate can attract the best faculty in the truest sense of the word.”

Page considers teachers to be the ultimate role models. “As a young person going to school, having someone take an interest in you and open doors to your potential — even if you don’t recognize that potential yourself right away — makes all the difference.”

Page’s former Choate mentor, teacher, and coach to this day remains a great friend. Page hopes funding teachers’ salaries will mean students will continue to experience this kind of impact. “Without teachers providing that kind of leadership, schools don’t have any soul.”

Once fully funded, the Teaching Excellence Initiative will significantly increase the budget for faculty salaries, advancing Choate’s position among peer schools. Salaries aren’t the only way the School is investing in its faculty. Benefits, including campus housing, insurance and retirement plans, tuition remission, and professional enrichment have been addressed, as well. “We haven’t just been treading water,” Curtis assures, “and we invite alumni, parents, and friends to join us by contributing to this initiative to increase teacher salaries and ensure the future of a high-quality Choate education.”

For more information on how you can join the effort and have your contribution matched, please contact Director of Major Gifts Amy Czaplak at (203) 697-2759.