Faculty Professional Development

Rebecka Briney (1S) and Rachelle Luster (2S) attended the “Plain Talk About Literacy and Learning” conference hosted by The Center for Literacy and Learning in New Orleans, LA. Highlights included attending workshops and listening to keynote speakers who are leaders in research of best practices for literacy and helping students with diverse reading difficulties.

Lori Marusic (Upper Division French) participated in “Why Our Children Must Draw,” a webinar by Lisa Wright offered through the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS). Lori learned that doodling boosts focus, memory, concentration, and blood flow to the brain. Lori is also completing her sixth year as a member of the Board of Directors for the St. Louis Language Immersion School.

Martha Overcash (SKW) completed an online session titled, “The Power of Our Words.” Participants discussed teacher language and how it can engage children. It reinforced the importance of current practices like morning meetings.

Lauri Torrie (JKE) attended the “Learning and the Brain –Teaching Emotional Brains” conference in San Fransisco, CA. The conference focused on establishing relationships with students to increase the sense of belonging, which will in turn decrease unwanted behaviors. It also highlighted the importance of collaborative problem solving between teachers and students as well as brain-based, effective classroom management strategies, and understanding that regulated brains are the best kind of brains to be ready to learn.

Marieann Barratt and Kathy Lepsky (Upper Division Science) went to the National Science Teachers Association Conference in Chicago, IL. They learned more about implementing the Next Generation Science Standards into their teaching.

Darla Ellsworth (JKW) completed a training on best strategies for decreasing attention getting and tantrum behaviors. She compiled new ideas for classroom management, reshaping behaviors, and online resources.

Colleen Wyss (1N) attended the National Association for Independent Schools’ annual conference in Las Vegas, NV.

Nikki Dantuono (Upper Division Director) and Kathy Fitzgerald (Assistant Head of School and Lower Division Director) attended the 2023 Academy for Division Heads hosted by ISACS in Chicago, IL. Attendees were excited to be together in person for an energizing opportunity to hear from stellar presenters supporting all facets of their leadership development. They learned about developing executive presence and inclusive excellence in recruiting, hiring, and retention.

Stephen Lott (2S) completed the Emerging Leaders Accelerator, a professional development opportunity here in St. Louis. The group met in person five times during the school year. The program included many readings, media explorations, and professional reflections over the course of nine months. Using the Clifton Strengths Finder, participants focused on analyzing leadership through their own individualized strengths profile and studied ways that leaders can use their strengths to develop trust, hope, stability, and compassion.

Abby Reed (Math Specialist) joined the ISACS Board of Trustees and serves as the ISACS Professional Services Committee Chair.

Megan Futhey (4N) completed a Responsive Classroom Elementary Core Course in Charlotte, NC and is working with co-teacher Phoebe Mendelson to strengthen Community’s Responsive Classroom approach to creating a positive learning environment.

Kat Mowczko (School Librarian) attended the Missouri Association of School Librarians conference in Osage Beach, MO. She presented for this year’s Show Me and Mark Twain award announcements and brought back a lot of new ideas for our library, from new story time practices to integrating and teaching kids about artificial intelligence.