A TEACHING LANDMARK

The groundbreaking Teacher Training Center was founded in 1928 to develop the skills and sensibilities of aspiring teachers through collaboration with Shady Hill’s master practitioners. The Center was the first of its kind and has inspired thousands of gifted teachers throughout the world. This year the Center turned 95—a landmark that was celebrated at the NAIS People of Color Conference, in San Antonio, Texas. Twenty-one TTC alumni joined TTC Executive Director Desiree Ivey to mark the occasion.

Back at home, SHS Head of School Mark Stanek led a Mission and Vision Committee to create the TTC’s first mission statement. With a sensitivity to the growing need to develop strong school leadership in a nationally adverse climate, the mission will guide and ground the program through future growth.

Meanwhile, in an effort to meet the immediate needs of student-teachers this year, the TTC reduced tuition by 50%, increased the Katharine Taylor Fellowship to $30,000, and increased the Urban Teaching Fellowship to $18,000. These financial incentives reflect the TTC’s commitment to financial sustainability and access while giving future teachers a world-class foundation.

Financial Footing

It’s 2023 and Shady Hill is, as usual, on solid financial footing. In unusual circumstances, our community came together to meet the unique and expensive challenges presented by the two-plus pandemic years.

Donors from all quarters—current parents, alumni, TTC alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, grandfriends, faculty, and staff—contributed generously, exceeding the Shady Hill Fund goal by nearly $450,000. By Trustee mandate, the overage was allocated to financial aid. Additionally, our Financial Aid Task Force worked tirelessly to improve our financial aid program—ultimately submitting a proposal that was approved by the Board. As a result, the program now financially supports families more effectively and furthers our commitment to socioeconomic inclusion.

Following the 2021-2022 school year, we intentionally “right-sized” our student body from 541 back to our pre-pandemic size of 523. We were pleased to reduce the number of sections and classrooms that the pandemic required for optimal social distancing. This “reset” has allowed us to retain our preferred student/teacher ratios in spaces specifically designed for each purpose.

We hope each and every family understands the importance of their Shady Hill Fund contribution—no matter the size, and that everyone continues to give, at whatever level feels right to them. After all, every student benefits from the $2 million Shady Hill Fund that helps fund the operating budget each year.