Professional Development at Friends: Grounded in Spirit, Growing in Practice

At Friends Seminary, professional development is not a pause from teaching—it is a deepening of purpose. It is rooted in Quaker practice, animated by the curiosity of our educators, and shaped by the belief that teaching is, at its best, an act of ongoing transformation. On October 14, 2025, faculty and staff across all divisions gathered for a day of learning that reinforced this commitment—fostering a culture of reflection, dialogue, and shared responsibility for students’ intellectual and moral growth.

Across the School, the day’s programming gave our already exceptional educators the space to deepen their craft, reflect on their practice, and engage boldly with essential questions at the heart of teaching and learning.

“Each division used this PD day to dive deeply into its current priorities, including high-quality literacy and math instruction, truly interdisciplinary project-based learning, and navigating our values around academic honesty and environmental stewardship in an age of AI,” said Hassan Wilson, Dean of Studies. “In February, during our next all-faculty professional learning day, we’ll shift from divisional focus to shared curricular work and deepen our alignment with our newly launched Portrait of a Learner.”

Here is a look at how each division used this day to grow in practice and deepen their collective vision:

 

 

Led by expert facilitators Chris Natale and Barb Golub, Lower School teachers participated in sessions centered on math and literacy instruction. K–2 educators explored best practices in small group reading, while Grades 3–4 focused on the Bridges math curriculum—reflecting on recent units and planning with intention for the months ahead.

Lower School specialists worked with Deidre Edwards in a dedicated space to examine student needs through the lens of social-emotional learning, behavior management strategies, and holistic support. Across the Lower School, the work underscored a shared commitment to nurturing foundational skills and the whole child.

 

 

Middle School faculty engaged in a full-day, immersive experience with Eric White from PBLWorks. Participating in a project-based “slice” as students, educators experienced firsthand the excitement and complexity of real-world learning. The session culminated in an analysis of the design elements that define high-quality, student-centered projects.

This work builds on a growing investment in project-based learning and interdisciplinary design—equipping Middle School teachers with tools to foster agency, collaboration, and critical inquiry in the classroom.

 

 

In the morning, Upper School faculty joined Howard Glasser of George School and the AI Across Friends Schools initiative to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and Quakerism. Teachers reviewed the School’s AI Taskforce vision and considered how AI might be used as an assistive technology—raising thoughtful questions around ethics, access, and educational equity.

In the afternoon, teachers returned to the School’s shared faculty text Unearthing Joy and worked in departmental teams to reflect on how their curriculum aligned with the book’s five pursuits. The session invited meaningful conversation about joy, justice, and cultural responsiveness in classroom practice.