4 minute read
Excellence in Teaching
Exceptional Educators
B.A., Maryville College, M.A., Belmont University
HEATH JONES PRIZE FOR THE PROMISE OF EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING Dedicated to A. Heath Jones, who worked as a teacher and academic dean at Harpeth Hall from 1984 to 1996, the prize for promise is given to a full-time teacher who has had five years or less of classroom experience and who has taught at Harpeth Hall for two years or more.
MarQuis Chappell, Upper School English Teacher
MarQuis Chappell’s personal and professional standards of excellence have set a new bar at Harpeth Hall. When Mr. Chappell joined our school community, he did so because — in his words — he believed so deeply in our mission. For an early career teacher to know so clearly the value of a school’s mission statement was telling about the kind of teacher and community member he would become. Mr. Chappell’s teaching philosophy is: Speak Less, Listen Often, and Let the Students Teach. Mr. Chappell is beloved by his students, especially for his tradition of greeting each student at the doorway to his classroom. As you will hear from his students, they feel seen, known, cared for, and inspired to reach new intellectual heights in his classroom. While Mr. Chappell is imminently likeable, his likeability stems from his high standards as much as it does from his ability to meet his students right where they are. His classroom teaching is engaging, dynamic, and always multi-layered. “There are many things of which I am uncertain, but my calling to be an educator is not one of them,” Mr. Chappell said. “I undoubtedly know this to be true. With such a grave understanding, I have dedicated my life to education, the promotion of diversity and inclusivity, and providing a learning space in which students are able to relentlessly dream. I firmly believe that English and literature provide students a pathway to discover the sound of their individual voices, and to explore the complexities of the world in which they live. My hope is that by the end of a year in my classroom, my students have learned that their voices have merit and should never be silenced — by oneself or external forces. My hope for each of my students is that my classroom provides them the opportunity to inexhaustibly dream of ways to make their lives extraordinary.”
My educational philosophy is built on three important aspects of math education: connections, understanding, and reflection. — Amy Mulron } B.A., Union University, M.B.A., University of Pennsylvania, M.Ed., Vanderbilt University
LULU HAMPTON OWEN CHAIR FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING This distinction, established through a bequest from Lulu Hampton Owen, is awarded annually to an outstanding member of the Harpeth Hall faculty who demonstrates excellence in scholarship, an unusual ability to communicate with students, excitement about teaching and learning, a commitment to the moral and intellectual development of students, and dedication to the life of the school. The appointment is for one year and carries with it honor, remuneration, and a Harpeth Hall chair that serves as a symbol for this award.
Amy Mulron, Middle School Math Teacher
Amy Mulron’s passion for teaching math is immediately evident when you step into her classroom. She believes in her students, and they excel in her class because of the confidence she instills. Mrs. Mulron finds it especially gratifying to support students when they encounter difficulty in math, knowing those moments of struggle present the greatest opportunity for confidence building and growth. Her students know that she cares for them, and they consistently comment on how much they appreciate her reliable support, kindness, and passion for learning. As a colleague, Mrs. Mulron is respected for her ardent pursuit of new pathways for students to access and make meaning of mathematics. During her eight years at Harpeth Hall, she has taught every grade in the Middle School and she has served the school in many different roles including teacher, department chairperson, and grade team leader. Highly regarded by many for her clear thinking and thoughtful listening skills, this teacher has dedicated herself to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and works tirelessly to ensure that her students feel seen and heard. She builds her students up and is fiercely dedicated to creating a safe learning environment for all her students. Among her greatest assets are her deep well of knowledge for mathematics teaching and her commitment to professional and lifelong learning. She reaches out to experts in the field and connects with math teachers across the city to collaborate and learn from them. Mrs. Mulron models in every way what it means to be a “lifelong learner.” “My educational philosophy is built on three important aspects of math education: connections, understanding, and reflection,” Mrs. Mulron said. “Connections should be an integral part of each math lesson. Guided learning should help a student connect a current topic to one that has already been learned, as well as those to come. Math should be taught for understanding. The future of math is based on problem-solving, which requires the application of math concepts. This can be achieved by understanding math, not simply by memorizing. A question as simple as ‘Does that make sense?’ can spur meaningful dialogue in the classroom. Reflection is often overlooked in the classroom. In a math class, students often perceive answers as right or wrong and do not look beyond the answer. Error analysis can provide information that is crucial to learning. ‘Wrong answers’ can provide useful information in classroom discourse. If the discourse is properly guided, discussion of errors can build understanding and self-esteem.”
