STELLAR FACULTY

JEFF SNYDER, ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL

This past summer, the academic leadership team, including Ms. Lowry, Mr. Snyder, Ms. McNutt, Mrs. Knudsen, Mr. Kahuda, Mr. Dintino, and Dr. Jones, garnered faculty input across the School in order to develop a set of both aspirational and attainable attributes that clearly articulate what sets Trinity Valley School faculty apart. While paying homage to the School’s motto, these “stellar attributes” are designed to serve as a guidepost for new and veteran faculty alike as they carry on Trinity Valley’s legacy of positively engaging and impacting our students in meaningful and long-lasting ways.

Trinity Valley School Attributes Of Stellar Faculty

TVS recruits and retains exemplary faculty whose skill in the classroom is complemented by their positive contributions to other programs and endeavors within the School community. These stellar faculty inspire excellence and actively promote the mission and philosophy of the School by modeling for their students the resiliency, flexibility, and persistence that embodies the TVS motto, Per Aspera ad Astra (Through Difficulty to the Stars).

• Stellar Faculty seek continued growth as lifelong learners.

• Stellar Faculty inspire excellence and set high academic standards while offering meaningful and authentic learning experiences.

• Stellar Faculty demonstrate care and concern for their students and colleagues.

• Stellar Faculty promote and model high personal and professional standards and ethics.

• Stellar Faculty exhibit joy in teaching.

• Stellar Faculty contribute positively to the community and promote intelligent citizenship.

• Stellar Faculty recognize that students learn differently and seek to engage all learners equitably.

• Stellar Faculty create and promote an inclusive community in and out of the classroom.

• Stellar Faculty forge strong partnerships with parents, colleagues, and community members.

• Stellar Faculty fulfill professional responsibilities in a thoughtful and timely manner.

• Stellar Faculty proactively communicate with clarity and empathy while assuming positive intent.

Coach Kenny Cain demonstrates care across every facet of the School community whether with students, faculty, staff, or parents. He embodies the intrinsic joy that comes from helping students of all ages discover and demonstrate the very best versions of themselves, both on and off the athletic fields. In addition, Coach Cain communicates high expectations for the students with whom he works while also demonstrating a keen understanding of how to positively motivate them forward.

Pam Kahuda’s last name resonates frequently across the Lower School drop-off circle each morning as students of all ages greet her with excitement. Their greetings are a testament to the strong connection she has established with each of the many students she teaches. As LS STEAM Instructor, Mrs. Kahuda’s unwavering positivity and her exceptional creativity foster engaging and authentic experiences that her PK through second-grade students love and grow from.

Dr. Edwin Wood is a consummate professional. His strong commitment to helping students navigate the complexity of Middle School is apparent in his consistently calm demeanor and attentive listening ear. Dr. Wood balances this high level of empathy with high academic expectations that engage his students in challenging texts, topics, and discussions. In addition, his wisdom and significant teaching experience make him a frequent sounding board for his colleagues across the Middle School.

Anna Ross inhabits a unique role at TVS which requires her to constantly engage in new research and strategies to better understand and support neurodiverse students. She is relentless in this pursuit, dedicating many summer hours to honing strategies and plans for each individual with whom she works. Additionally, Ms. Ross consistently communicates with students, parents, and faculty with an empathy and authenticity that is not only disarming but also demonstrates significant attention to the social and emotional needs of all the students she serves.

Luis Terrazas and Pauline Medlin are not only phenomenal educators in their respective divisions, inspiring students to discover and develop their passions, but they also give significant time and attention each year to developing our New Faculty and Staff Orientation program. This program offers both teachers and staff unique insights on the School’s rich culture, thereby helping them acclimate to their professional surroundings while also hastening their engagement with the broader School community. Beyond orientation, Mr. Terrazas and Mrs. Medlin serve as resources and mentors for new faculty and staff throughout the year.

James Scott’s constant presence at extracurricular activities including sporting events, performing arts events, academic competitions, and the like is an unwavering reminder that so much about teaching exists outside the walls of the classroom. His true and authentic investment into each student’s life only enriches his ability to positively impact that student’s academic and personal growth during the school day. This dedication to his students coupled with a long history at TVS also allows Mr. Scott to serve as an engaging colleague and mentor to the faculty around him.