At Belmont Day, learning doesn’t pause when the school year ends. This summer, our faculty engaged in a wide range of professional development opportunities that sparked inspiration, deepened expertise, and strengthened connections. From exploring play in early childhood to considering the role of artificial intelligence in education, our educators brought back fresh ideas and renewed energy for the year ahead. Below are brief descriptions of and reflections on these valuable learning opportunities.
Newtowne Learning Exchange: Play in Early Childhood Classrooms
Pre-kindergarten teachers Nicole Siverls and Kim Edwards kicked off the summer by exploring the importance of play as a driver of learning in early childhood. Through hands-on activities and discussions, they considered how playful approaches can create meaningful, reciprocal learning experiences. One quote particularly stood out to them, shared by the director of Newtown, “Learning and teaching should not stand on opposite banks and just watch the river flow by; instead, they should embark together on a journey down the water. Through an active reciprocal exchange, teaching can strengthen learning and how to learn.”
Landmark School: Building a Stronger Rope
Fourth grade teachers Lana Holman and Emily Crawford spent two days on Cape Cod participating in this workshop focused on strategies to support reading comprehension. In addition to the academic takeaways, the experience underscored the value of shared learning. Lana shared, “Participating in off-campus PD with colleagues is a great way to get to know each other better, bond as a team, and have time to discuss things in depth.”
Responsive Classroom Advanced Course
Second grade teacher Katie O’Brien, fifth grade teacher Patrick Murray, and fourth grade teacher Emily Crawford deepened their practice with the Responsive Classroom approach, reflecting on classroom management strategies and student engagement techniques. Katie shared, “I appreciated how the sessions built upon the knowledge I gained last summer; this PD gave me the time to reflect upon the changes in my teaching that I implemented over the past year and consider what I want to roll out and build upon this year.”
MassCUE AI Palooza
Program Leaders Annie Fuerst, Divya Muralidhara, Betty Chu Pryor, and Liz Gray road tripped out to Western Massachusetts this summer to join colleagues from across the state for a mini-conference on artificial intelligence in education. The day sparked thoughtful dialogue about opportunities and challenges of AI in schools. Divya noted, “I appreciated the chance to dig into questions I have about AI and related implications for our own practice and approach at BDS.”
Dan Nott Comics Workshop
By popular demand, cartoonist and educator Dan Nott returned to BDS this summer to lead a two-day comics workshop. On day one, a wide range of faculty came together to explore the history of comics and learn practical strategies for bringing comics into education. Chief of staff and registrar Jen James reflected, “I think any opportunity to learn and be creative is worthwhile for every faculty member here at BDS.”
On day two, Dan worked with visual arts teachers Anne Armstrong and Kathy Jo Solomon to develop a new middle school arts elective. Kathy Jo shared, “I now have so many resources and direct exercises for my students from this PD that I am excited to incorporate into my class curriculum.”
Broadway Teachers
Theater arts teacher Chris Parsons traveled to New York City to join a vibrant community of theater teachers. They exchanged ideas, learned new approaches, and reconnected with the joy of performance. As Chris put it, “The chance to connect with like-minded colleagues is both affirming and motivating. It’s a rare opportunity to feel seen, supported, and recharged as an arts educator.”
