HILLER HEADS

Then And Now

BY LIAM BOULOS ’23, ASSIGNMENT FOR JOURNALISM CLASS

Throughout the years, Tower Hill has been led by many courageous Heads of School, with the most recent being Elizabeth Speers, who is compassionately referred to as “Bessie” by students and faculty members.

Since 2015, Mrs. Speers has brightened the halls of Tower Hill with her whimsical spirit, kind smile and curious anecdotes. However, the 2022-2023 school year will be Tower Hill’s last with Bessie at the head of the ship.

This departure brings sadness to many members of the community as a result of the amazing work she did as Head of School, and especially the lively and festive energy that has flourished under her leadership. Always with a smile, Bessie often makes appearances in morning meeting to celebrate big sports wins and share words of encouragement. Bessie has always employed her positive attitude as a means of bettering life at Tower Hill, and it does not go unnoticed by the students.

“I value [Mrs. Speers’] ability to make the school day fun. When she went over the loudspeaker and played “Pocketful of Sunshine,” it was a really classic moment and it shows her ability to make light out of stressful situations.”

As we prepare to close this exciting era of Tower Hill’s history, we must look to the past for wisdom in preparation for the transition. In July of 1923, Burton Fowler became the Head of School, a progressive thinker who took an unconventional approach to teaching. The era that ensued is now referred to as the “Fowler years” and is remembered fondly by many Hillers as a time when music filled the halls and students danced their way from class to class, as depicted in Forever Green: A Commemorative History of Tower Hill. His methods of education prioritized students’ wellbeing through observation of their physical and mental health, providing an exceptional learning environment and encouraging students to spend time outside during the academic day.

As reflected upon in Forever Green, “Fowler hated grades and examinations, which were emblems of the old regime and in addition taught unhealthy and selfish competition when ‘children climb over other children to reach a coveted goal.’”

Fowler held a passion for innovation that led the school down a path quite divergent from the status quo. Although his work at Tower Hill made education more accessible to students with learning differences like dyslexia, it also had its drawbacks. His dislike for standardized testing in combination with the unique curriculum he developed at the school made it difficult for students to be admitted to colleges and adjust to new environments like a university or boarding school. As a result, beloved “Burpy P.” had to part ways with the school, leaving behind an inarguably beautiful legacy.

In Tower Hill’s commemorative history, former history department chair Dr. Ellis Wasson recalls that “to be a child in the wonderland he created was a marvelous thing.”

“I value [Mrs. Speers’] ability to make the school day fun. When she went over the loudspeaker and played “Pocketful of Sunshine,” it was a really classic moment and it shows her ability to make light out of stressful situations.”

Following Fowler was Mr. James Guernsey, who was hired to steer Tower Hill off of the progressive experimental education track and onto a more traditional college preparatory track. He came from a military boarding school in Minnesota, where he was referred to as “Bull.” Despite being the complete opposite of Fowler, Guernsey’s teaching experience was an asset for Tower Hill. He quickly revised the school’s curriculum and re-implemented standardized tests, which he felt were integral to determining the scholastic merits of students.

Tower Hill alumnus Stephen Hyde claimed that in the transition from Fowler to Guernsey, “out went charisma and in came a man who, in retrospect, seemed firmly focused on the tasks at hand.”

James Guernsey was well equipped to move the school in the direction intended by the board, and while this transition was able to uplift the reputation and image of Tower Hill, the subtle changes in the school’s culture are what need to be learned from. In the place of outdoor recreation, there was now study hall, and the Victrola in the upper hall became a distant memory. The concern for students’ individual needs waned, and the advertisement of students’ achievements became regular.

Obviously, Bessie and Burpy are not one, despite their similar nicknames. In addition, there is little demand for drastic alterations to the school’s structure or curriculum. However, there is certainly something to lose in the journey ahead just as there was nearly a century ago at the close of Burton Fowler’s leadership. The reaction to the Fowler era brought on much change and was responsible for great improvements to the school’s ability to prepare students for their futures. Obviously, the school gained prestige and knowledge with this shift in power, but it lost the music. In the literal sense, it has been almost a century since Hillers danced through the halls, but there is a certain air of joy that comes from Mrs. Speers’ leadership.

“I just love her energy. She can just really lighten the spirit of the student body, and I think that’s something that we need.”

As we pave forward, we must remember when Mrs. Speers got up on stage in a swimsuit to congratulate the girls swim team, when she hit a golf ball into the audience during morning meeting and I mean who could forget workout Wednesdays during Zoom? While all of these moments may seem unremarkable on their own, what they contribute to the greater school community and culture is invaluable.

While Bessie’s warm personality and ability to give joy to others may not seem at risk of being forgotten, reflecting on the story of former Head of School Burton Fowler and the reaction to his leadership illuminates the reality that nothing is set in stone. The past is a useful thing when moving towards the future, and it is a gift we have one so extensive to rediscover. Just as Burton Fowler did nearly 100 years ago, Bessie leads in a manner that brings positivity to all aspects of student life at Tower Hill, and that is the quality we must strive to uphold for every future generation of Hillers to come. All things do come to an end, and as we move forward with an appreciation for all of the amazing memories Bessie has given us throughout her time at Tower Hill, we must never let go of the positivity she brought to our lives.