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The value of going away

            There are many reasons it is essential to get our teachers off campus to conferences or to visit other schools. It is only by leaving our own environment that we can truly see what the possibilities might be. By exploring schools with different missions and approaches, we are able to use judgment to determine what might work best for Berwick students. As part of its Long Range Plan, the Board of Trustees has systemically been increasing our professional development budget to make sure that our teachers have the resources to push themselves in new ways - in the spirit of continued innovation.

            More and more, as our teachers are becoming more connected and collaborative, we see them sharing what they have learned through lunches, meetings, and other methods. When a colleague is energized, departments and divisions feed off of that energy, and we share this learning in a collaborative way. Getting off campus also allows our teachers to meet new peers and create connections that combat feelings of isolation or frustration. I can speak from experience that it is invaluable to have colleagues who can offer objective advice that are not connected to the people and culture of my particular school.
            Recently one faculty journey off the Hilltop reminded me of the critical validation we also receive when our direction is affirmed through professional development. One of our teachers recently returned to say this about the state of our Lower School program:

After I was able to process the full scope of the weekend, I felt reassured that we are all doing good work in the Lower School. Ideas such as Social Emotional Learning, mindfulness, character building, meditation, and the importance of non-cognitive skills and growth mindsets were the emphasis of the conference. I truly believe that…in these areas and with a faculty that is willing to dedicate themselves to these beliefs, our Lower School is "ahead of the curve" and modeling these ideals very well…As we approach the end of the first trimester, I felt it was timely to highlight this information and remind everyone that we are making a difference and to feel positive about the hard work that we all do. 


I share this example as a reminder as we all begin thinking about annual fund gifts, contributions to BPC efforts, and other Berwick initiatives – it is easy to be captivated as donors by physical things that our kids will use and enjoy. We should also remember that by investing in our teachers – their growth, their confidence, and their morale – we actually make the biggest impact upon Berwick students. And as all of you head away from the Hilltop for a Thanksgiving break, I hope you return with a new conviction that this faculty and this program is continuing to grow and evolve into an experience that will be transformational for your child.

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