Six Friends Educators Honored by Academy of Teachers

Six Friends Seminary educators were honored by The Academy for Teachers and invited to participate in its selective Master Classes, held in New York City’s most beautiful, interesting and inspiring venues. 

Teachers Steve Borowka, Kelly Grimmett, Christel Johnson and Elise McLean, along with Principal Robert Lauder and Upper School Head Wendy Wilderotter, were inducted as Fellows of The Academy for Teachers. 

The Academy, which brings New York’s finest teachers together with our culture’s leading minds and creative talent, is a relatively new organization devoted to giving educators exposure to experts in various fields of intellectual endeavor. In keeping with objectives of our most recent Strategic Plan, which identifies professional development for teachers and staff as critical to our future, Friends became a Founding Sustaining Partner of the Academy this fall.

Being selected for a Master Class is a competitive honor. Teachers are nominated by fellow teachers and administrators. Nominations are then evaluated by other educators. Only 18 nominees are invited to participate in any given class. Borowka, Grimmett and Lauder participated last school year and Johnson, McLean and Wilderotter participated this year school year. 

“Teaching well is hard and noble work that needs to be supported and celebrated,” says Sam Swope, the founder of The Academy for Teachers. “In order to keep inspiring their students, teachers themselves need to be inspired. They must continue learning about the subjects they teach and we must keep their intellectual curiosity alive.”

McLean was chosen to attend a Master Class on “Religion and the U.S. Supreme Court” taught by John Sexton, the former President of NYU.

Wilderotter took part in “The Legal History of Marriage Equality” with Sharon Marcus, the Dean of Humanities at Columbia University.

 

Lauder took part in a Master Class at the Frick Museum, examining the Don Quixote tapestries in their collection. "Taking a day to learn about something I knew little about but was intrigued by was an intellectually refreshing opportunity. We practically had free run of the Frick!" Next fall, Lauder will participate in a day-long session with MacArthur Genius award winner and author Ta-Nehisi Coates. 

 

Mr. Borowka, who attended a Master Class led by Broadway director Jerry Zaks, said, “The day was unbelievably meaningful. Just spending the day in a room with other theater teachers is remarkable. I thrived on all of the small conversations. And watching Jerry Zaks in his element was the topper. I will remember this day!”

 

The association with the Academy is also another expression of the School's desire to form private-public partnerships. Seminar fees and our annual dues make it possible for public school educators to participate, creating a more academically rich opportunity for all.

 

For more information, contact Will Hopkins, Academic Dean, at whopkins@friendsseminary.org