NewsUpper SchoolFaculty/StaffPre-K to 8Academics
Parents Association awards Faculty Grants
Aug 7, 2006 10:11 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
In March of 2006, the Darlington Parents Association awarded Faculty Development Grants to 21 deserving faculty members. Grants ranged up to $2,000.
Each year, teaching faculty who have made a commitment to return to Darlington in the fall are invited to apply for Faculty Development Grants funded by the School’s Parents Association. This program is designed to enhance faculty effectiveness in the classroom, in campus activities and in the community; to encourage faculty to plan creatively for their own continuing professional development; to provide an incentive to aid in the retention of excellent faculty; and to involve department chairs in enhancing the faculty members’ enthusiasm in their particular area of education and involvement.
Several Upper School teachers used their grants to prepare for the AP courses they would be teaching in 2006-07.
“The AP Teacher Institute in Baltimore, Md., provided materials and resources that will help me in teaching AP Macro Economics this year,” said Tim Foote. “I think professional development is important because it allows us to expand and become more effective educators. When we do this, our students are the ones who benefit.”
Dr. Bob McGraw, chairman of the math department, took a one-week course at Marist School to be certified to teach AP Calculus (BC level). The recipient of several Faculty Grants in past years, McGraw said these awards demonstrate that Darlington parents recognize the School’s learning environment needs to be nurtured and nourished in order to be effective.
“My course instructor, Sergio Stadler, had taught AP Calculus for over 30 years. Being able to learn from his years of experience was invaluable,” said McGraw. “The field of education (and the world around us) is changing at an ever-increasing pace. We cannot hope to do an exemplary job as teachers unless we constantly update and improve our teaching methods and strategies. Professional development affords us this opportunity.”
Craig Schmidt took a similar course focusing on AP World History. “I learned more about the grading process for the AP exam, and I feel that this will allow Darlington students to be better prepared for the test this year,” said Schmidt. “This type of professional development makes us better teachers, and this type of support from the parents offers immediate payback in improving the instruction of their children.”
Eva Marie Burns ('79), Middle and Upper School art teacher, used her grant to learn more about handmade paper and textile arts. "For the fine arts, there are always new tricks of the trade and techniques are being developed daily," she said. "Teachers have to keep up with the changes ... I learned plenty at the workshop, but the inspiration that I came back with is the best. I feel that teachers who continue being students will continue to grow and appreciate their role as a teacher."
Others like Morgan McCrary ('01), Upper School English and drama teacher, have used Faculty Grants to further their education. McCrary is seeking her master's at the Bread Loaf School of English. This summer, she took several courses, including one on the use of technology when teaching writing.
"I feel I have put a lot into my bag of tricks, so to speak," McCrary said. "I had classes with teachers from independent day and boarding schools from all across the country and beyond. It was really useful to hear how they run their classrooms and their schools and to compare it to mine. I wouldn't have been able to attend the session at Bread Loaf this summer if it had not been for the Parents Association Grant. It is such a good thing that these grants exist - it shows that our Darlington parents watn the best for their faculty and, in turn, the best for their children."
James Hutchins, Middle School science teacher and 2005-06 Parents’ Choice Award winner, has used his grants to aid in paying tuition for his coursework at the University of Alabama.
“I am currently seeking a Doctorate in Educational Administration,” he said. “Without this financial assistance from the Parents Association, I don’t know if this would have been possible.
“If you’re not learning, you’re not growing. Every member of an organization should continue to develop his or her craft. If you don’t, you can rest assure another organization is not far behind,” Hutchins continued. “Darlington is a community of learners. Parents want their money’s worth from competent, caring teachers. An effective school establishes strong lines of communication with the parents. Darlington is continuing to strive for this. As a beneficiary of their generosity, I would like to thank the Parents Association for helping my dream come true.”
Other faculty members who received DPA Faculty Development Grants for use this year are include George Awsumb, Dan Bishop, William Camp, John Cox, Julia Dodd, Bailey Duncan, Zaya Fusco, Tim Garrett, Steve Hall, Brian Inman, Kelley McDurmon, Angela Pieroni, Joe Pieroni, Donald Sweeney and Phil Titus.
Grants must be for projects beginning on or after May 1 of the granting year and completed by May 1 of the following year. The maximum award available is $2,000, paying up to 50 percent of any required tuition and the cost of travel, boarding expense, supplies, etc. within reason.
All applications should be turned into Lynda Miller, executive assistant to the assistant headmaster and director of Upper School, before spring break of the granting year. All grants, including those for graduate study requiring several summers, will be evaluated each year. Applicants will be notified by late March of the DPA Grant Committee’s decision.
The Parents Association strives to enhance student life and supports faculty, staff and administrative efforts to assure Darlington students the best education possible. The association sponsors a variety of School functions, including the Back-to-School Bash, Pigskin Picnic, Upper and Middle School Christmas dances, Appreciation Week, Junior-Senior Prom and Used Book Sale. All Darlington families are invited to join.
Each year, teaching faculty who have made a commitment to return to Darlington in the fall are invited to apply for Faculty Development Grants funded by the School’s Parents Association. This program is designed to enhance faculty effectiveness in the classroom, in campus activities and in the community; to encourage faculty to plan creatively for their own continuing professional development; to provide an incentive to aid in the retention of excellent faculty; and to involve department chairs in enhancing the faculty members’ enthusiasm in their particular area of education and involvement.
Several Upper School teachers used their grants to prepare for the AP courses they would be teaching in 2006-07.
“The AP Teacher Institute in Baltimore, Md., provided materials and resources that will help me in teaching AP Macro Economics this year,” said Tim Foote. “I think professional development is important because it allows us to expand and become more effective educators. When we do this, our students are the ones who benefit.”
Dr. Bob McGraw, chairman of the math department, took a one-week course at Marist School to be certified to teach AP Calculus (BC level). The recipient of several Faculty Grants in past years, McGraw said these awards demonstrate that Darlington parents recognize the School’s learning environment needs to be nurtured and nourished in order to be effective.
“My course instructor, Sergio Stadler, had taught AP Calculus for over 30 years. Being able to learn from his years of experience was invaluable,” said McGraw. “The field of education (and the world around us) is changing at an ever-increasing pace. We cannot hope to do an exemplary job as teachers unless we constantly update and improve our teaching methods and strategies. Professional development affords us this opportunity.”
Craig Schmidt took a similar course focusing on AP World History. “I learned more about the grading process for the AP exam, and I feel that this will allow Darlington students to be better prepared for the test this year,” said Schmidt. “This type of professional development makes us better teachers, and this type of support from the parents offers immediate payback in improving the instruction of their children.”
Eva Marie Burns ('79), Middle and Upper School art teacher, used her grant to learn more about handmade paper and textile arts. "For the fine arts, there are always new tricks of the trade and techniques are being developed daily," she said. "Teachers have to keep up with the changes ... I learned plenty at the workshop, but the inspiration that I came back with is the best. I feel that teachers who continue being students will continue to grow and appreciate their role as a teacher."
Others like Morgan McCrary ('01), Upper School English and drama teacher, have used Faculty Grants to further their education. McCrary is seeking her master's at the Bread Loaf School of English. This summer, she took several courses, including one on the use of technology when teaching writing.
"I feel I have put a lot into my bag of tricks, so to speak," McCrary said. "I had classes with teachers from independent day and boarding schools from all across the country and beyond. It was really useful to hear how they run their classrooms and their schools and to compare it to mine. I wouldn't have been able to attend the session at Bread Loaf this summer if it had not been for the Parents Association Grant. It is such a good thing that these grants exist - it shows that our Darlington parents watn the best for their faculty and, in turn, the best for their children."
James Hutchins, Middle School science teacher and 2005-06 Parents’ Choice Award winner, has used his grants to aid in paying tuition for his coursework at the University of Alabama.
“I am currently seeking a Doctorate in Educational Administration,” he said. “Without this financial assistance from the Parents Association, I don’t know if this would have been possible.
“If you’re not learning, you’re not growing. Every member of an organization should continue to develop his or her craft. If you don’t, you can rest assure another organization is not far behind,” Hutchins continued. “Darlington is a community of learners. Parents want their money’s worth from competent, caring teachers. An effective school establishes strong lines of communication with the parents. Darlington is continuing to strive for this. As a beneficiary of their generosity, I would like to thank the Parents Association for helping my dream come true.”
Other faculty members who received DPA Faculty Development Grants for use this year are include George Awsumb, Dan Bishop, William Camp, John Cox, Julia Dodd, Bailey Duncan, Zaya Fusco, Tim Garrett, Steve Hall, Brian Inman, Kelley McDurmon, Angela Pieroni, Joe Pieroni, Donald Sweeney and Phil Titus.
Grants must be for projects beginning on or after May 1 of the granting year and completed by May 1 of the following year. The maximum award available is $2,000, paying up to 50 percent of any required tuition and the cost of travel, boarding expense, supplies, etc. within reason.
All applications should be turned into Lynda Miller, executive assistant to the assistant headmaster and director of Upper School, before spring break of the granting year. All grants, including those for graduate study requiring several summers, will be evaluated each year. Applicants will be notified by late March of the DPA Grant Committee’s decision.
The Parents Association strives to enhance student life and supports faculty, staff and administrative efforts to assure Darlington students the best education possible. The association sponsors a variety of School functions, including the Back-to-School Bash, Pigskin Picnic, Upper and Middle School Christmas dances, Appreciation Week, Junior-Senior Prom and Used Book Sale. All Darlington families are invited to join.
