Teachers from around N.Y. State come to learn at Harbor

On Wednesday, Harbor had the pleasure of hosting our second New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) workshop on Differentiated Instruction and the Independent School Curriculum. Twenty-two visiting teachers and administrators from Roslyn to Rochester gathered in Harbor’s library for an overview presentation about differentiated instruction and discussions about curriculum, instruction, technology integration and other important topics in education.

Workshop participants were especially excited about having the opportunity to see the educational philosophy and teaching strategies discussed during the presentation in action. Our visitors spent time observing:

• Linda Sjogren and Krissy Paul present a lesson on story sequence;

• Terry Hotzak teaching Early Childhood Physical Education;

• LaNae Netter help her first graders practice identifying and counting coins;

• Dawn Woods introduce different features of non-fiction texts;

• Christine McBrien facilitating as her students worked together to prepare skits about various math problem solving strategies;

• Kim Gair supporting her students as they wrote character essays; and

• Charlie Mugford teaching sixth graders how to write and support a thesis statement.

• Additionally, Rachel Weir made an excellent presentation about using MOODLE to differentiate in Upper School music classes and even extemporaneously spoke on the benefits of “Recorder Karate” in the differentiated music classroom.

One visiting teacher commented that she felt overwhelmingly grateful for our faculty’s commitment to making connections with the workshop participants, even if an observation in their classroom wasn’t on the day’s schedule. Not only did the participants satisfy their intellectual cravings, they also raved about the building and grounds (prepared for the workshop by Heidi Giffuni and Mike Guido), and enjoyed a delectable lunch by Allison Avellino and Liz Fish. Most of all, they were completely impressed by the enthusiastic learners and respectful citizens that are our Harbor students.

-Marissa Burgermaster, Curriculum & Professional Development Coordinator