Early in my teaching career, I attended a conference where a presenter shared a statement that has stuck with me ever since:
“If there’s no sharing, there’s no learning. Teaching is fundamentally a sharing activity.” –Darren Kuropatwa.
These words capture one of the most incredible aspects of being an educator—the opportunity to be part of a profession filled with lifelong learners and some of the most generous sharers you will ever meet.
Throughout my 15 years of working with Bullis faculty, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand their innovation, collaboration, forward-thinking mindset, and enthusiasm for teaching. They are truly exceptional educators who consistently push boundaries and embrace new ideas.
Bullis’s administration also places a strong emphasis on growth and collaborative learning. In the 2022-23 academic year, I had the honor of highlighting a series of innovative projects, collaborations, and transformative learning experiences spearheaded by Bullis’s faculty.
Before sharing the articles, I have to give a shoutout to three people who made this all possible. Mark Riffee, Bullis’s Director of Communications, and Wendy Wheeler, Digital & Brand Marketing Strategist, ensured that each of these articles was polished, well-designed, and accompanied by an awesome-looking graphic. This initiative was led by Faith Darling, Bullis’s Dean of Faculty, who coordinated everything behind the scenes and continuously strives to celebrate the accomplishments of faculty and actively fosters their professional growth.
Using Kami to Create Resources for Spanish Classes
Whether you’re teaching beginners or native speakers, language learning is something that can be taken to the next level with the help of EdTech tools. In this post, I’ll be sharing how Bullis Upper School Spanish teacher Hilary Vellenga has been using Kami Library templates to help her students learn Spanish.
Let’s dive into several examples of how these Kami templates have been used to help instruct lessons on the Spanish language and allow learners to organize and express new information clearly.
FRAYER MODEL
The Frayer Model is a graphic organizer designed to help students “better understand new and important concepts by listing examples, non-examples, facts, and definitions.” Ms. Vellenga has creatively used this template to model notes, such as when students are learning new verb conjugations. In this example, she would put the verb in the center box and populate the top two boxes with an English definition and some facts/notes during the instruction phase of the lesson. Students then make their own copy of the Kami worksheet and are tasked with filling in the bottom two boxes with an example and a non-example. To differentiate instruction, students who are finding the task challenging can reference their book and copy an example directly. Advanced students are encouraged to make up their own examples. After students have completed their work, it’s time for group discussion; because all students complete the work in Kami, Ms. Vellenga has access to each file in Google Drive and can easily pull student work up on the board for full class discussion.
→ Continue reading on the Bullis website
Farm School to Foundations of Art: How Summer Grants Have Bolstered Curriculum Development
A multidisciplinary Farm School experience for 3rd grade students. A revamped Visual Arts program for Upper School students. These are just two programs made possible through the new Bullis Summer Grants program.
Bullis teachers consistently lead the way with their innovative teaching practices and collaborative, cross-department and even cross-division programming. Recognizing the challenge to find time to do this bold, creative, collaborative work during the school year, particularly coming out of pandemic learning, Bullis leadership developed a new initiative. The Bullis Summer Grants program was created to give teachers time to develop curricular work over the summer. Members of the teaching faculty interested in engaging in course design during the summer were able to apply, provided this work was being done in a team.
Let’s take a look at two of the summer 2022 work grants: the 3rd grade Farm School project and the Foundations of Studio Art course redesign.
FARM SCHOOL
When not at school, 3rd grade teacher Mark Walter is busy tending to the needs of the 400-acre farm his family caretakes along with their family business, Plow and Stars Farm, in Poolesville, Maryland. Since Mark began working at Bullis in 2014, every K-5 student has had a chance to go to the farm for at least one field trip. Some recurring themes have been 5th grade’s Colonial Day celebration in May and Lower School Staff work days at the farm. Additional opportunities have included Middle School service projects, Upper School Food Science class visits, and even a full faculty visit to the farm during opening school meetings.
→ Continue reading on the Bullis website
Bullis Innovative Arts Collaborations
The Bullis Arts department has focused on several rich collaborations within the school and the larger community to engage students in authentic and collaborative artistic processes. These collaborations not only provide students an opportunity to learn from and work with professional artists but also allow for cross-disciplinary collaboration and a deeper understanding of history, literature, and the arts.
This article will highlight three fall programs:
- A mural project in Blair with visiting artist Nicole Bourgea
- The combined Jazz & Dance show
- The Upper School Fall Play: The Crucible
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE MURAL
Thanks to a Parents Association grant and the support of Head of School Christian Sullivan, the Blair Family Center for the Arts brought Nicole Bourgea to campus this fall as a visiting artist in residence. Inspired by Matisse’s quote, Nicole worked with 8th Grade Art Majors and 8th Grade Open Studio, taught by Kelsey Donegan, and Advanced Studio II students, taught by Kathleen Adams, to develop a concept that symbolizes the Blair Center’s reputation as a creative space where everyone has a voice. The artwork features a figure taking a bold dive into a sea of creativity.
→ Continue reading on the Bullis website
Put Student Well-Being at the Forefront
At Bullis School in Maryland, wellness is not just a counseling department initiative; it’s embedded into how teachers structure their curriculum and plan daily lessons. Popping into classrooms, you’ll observe teachers incorporating a range of social-emotional learning strategies, from quick student check-ins and brain breaks to revamped projects and shifts in what is being taught and when. Faculty embrace holistic wellness and the integration of social-emotional learning, both inside and outside of the classroom, with an eagerness to learn and do more.
→ Continue reading at iste.org
As a follow-up to this article, Director of Wellness & Health Education at Bullis School, and I were asked to be guests on the National Association of Independent Schools’ Member Voices podcast. Our episode centered on student and teacher wellness. Each of us brought our unique perspectives and experiences to the discussion – Jenna as a counselor and myself as a teacher and edtech coach – to share what has worked and express our hopes for the future.
→ Listen on NAIS Members Voices podcast
BITlab: A Makerspace That Connects Students to Content Learning
Imagine if students had access to a creation library that, instead of books and periodicals, contained a wide range of equipment and tools, from glue and popsicle sticks to laser cutters and 3D printers. And what if they could use this space to create tangible artifacts depicting their understanding of a topic, while also learning how to use cutting-edge tools?
That’s the idea behind the Bullis Innovation and Technology Lab (BITlab) at Bullis School in Maryland, where each student will create at least one project before they graduate. It’s specifically designed to be a space for student exploration and creativity across all subjects.
→ Continue reading at iste.org
Bullis Faculty Presents Series
Cultivating A Global Perspective Through Geography With Oral History Projects
Fourth graders learn and teach others about geography, history, and culture through a social-emotional learning lens, and its lessons connect students to people and geography.
Maximizing on Student Global Transformation Through Virtual Engagement: A Case Study Approach
Sherri Watkins, Director of Publications and Design, presented several workshops to dozens of participants across the globe to showcase the impact of virtual Global Studies programming. Through her presentations, she is inspiring educators to explore innovative approaches to global engagement that can expand access to a broad audience of students, surpassing the limitations of traditional study abroad trips. Learn how Bullis students are becoming more connected global citizens through these programs.
Unearthing Our Wisdom and Value: Renewed Agency through BIPOC Professional Coaching
At the NAIS People of Color Conference, Ryann Fapohunda, Director of Teaching & Learning illuminates the unique impact of individual, personalized professional coaching by BIPOC for BIPOC through three coaching experiences in two independent schools.
IT Integration in Chinese Class – Let’s Build a Board Game
Ms. Xueying Clarke and Mr. Matt Zigler were invited by the Chinese Language Teacher Association – National Capital Region to host a workshop titled “IT Integration in Chinese Classroom – Let’s Build a Board Game.” The workshop was for local Chinese teachers and was held at Bullis in the BITlab.
67th Annual Boardwalk Art Show
Ms. Kathleen Adams was invited to display a collection of her paintings at the 67th annual Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art Boardwalk Art Show in Virginia Beach. The show is ranked as a top Fine Art Show of the Decade and is one of the only outdoor art shows produced by an accredited museum that strives to showcase the highest caliber of fine art.
Cultivating a Free-Range Learning Environment For a Wide Range of Learners
Teaching and learning is not a “one size fits all” model. Upper School Science Teacher, Dr. Duruhan Badraslioglu, presents at the Association of Independent Maryland & DC Schools Virtual Workshop. Learn about his experience.
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