Professional development is one of the most important things we do as educators. Whether it is attending a conference, taking courses, or sharing reflections on a recent book or article we have read, we must consistently take time to think intentionally about our work. This process affirms what we are doing, while at the same time challenging us to grow and evolve our practices and understanding of the adolescent brain, teaching, and supporting young people.
Each summer, Proctor's faculty shifts gears and spends time seeking rejuvenation for the year ahead and diving into professional development opportunities. One of the greatest benefits of being a teacher is the opportunity to continually develop through professional development experiences. While the below highlights do not capture all of the work done by our faculty, here is a sampling of the professional growth endeavors Proctor’s faculty took on this summer.
Kara Jacobs (World Language Department Chair) | Spanish Language Immersion Workshop
Kara co-led a 10 day immersive professional development trip for 12 teachers from all over the United States based out of Proctor’s Segovia campus in Segovia, Spain. Kara and her co-leader, AnneMarie Chase, led workshops about teaching Spanish and culture with Acquisition Driven Instruction, teachers stayed with homestay families, and the group traveled and explored cultural activities in the afternoons including learning about and visiting the aqueduct, the El Alcázar (the castle), the Cathedral, la judería (the Jewish Quarter) and la Alameda del Parral (the green belt around Segovia). They also took a day trip to Salamanca to explore that city and el Palacio Real de La Granja. Kara is an amazing leader in this space and we loved seeing our Segovia campus filled with educators who will take what they’ve learned back to their own schools.
Shelby Wiscon (Proctor en Segovia Co-Director) | Spanish Language Immersion and Paragliding
Shelby spent the summer living in Colombia taking immersive Spanish classes to reach upper fluency. Living with a host family, Shelby’s immersive experience will allow her to better understand what the students in Segovia experience with their host families. Shelby reflects, “When I'm not studying, I am paragliding as much as possible! I am in the process of becoming a licensed paraglider in Jericó (a few hours outside of Medellín where I’m taking my courses). I want to pursue being a paragliding instructor because I love it so much. It’s the most amazing feeling in the world to be flying above the clouds!”
Jeffrey Prado (Science Department) | Community Science Educator Workshop
Jeffrey engaged in a community science teacher educator workshop with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies. Jeffrey found this free workshop and took advantage of the learning opportunity. He reflects, “It was a neat couple of days learning about citizen science and practicing specific sampling protocols that we could use on Proctor’s campus near the pond or in the woodlands.”
Kara Hayes (Lead Mental Health Counselor)
Over the summer, Kara completed her certification as a neuropsychotherapist and is nearing completion of her certification in ADHD assessment and treatment. Additionally, Kara is excited for an exciting professional holistic wellness training that will take place this fall.
Drew Donaldson (Dean of Students, Deans Team) and Kyle Connolly (History Department and Deans Team) | Gardner Carney Leadership Institute
Drew and Kyle spent a week at the Fountain Valley School for the Gardner Carney Leadership Institute. The institute involved an intensive week of workshops, learning, networking, and planning how to build more leadership training and education. They worked alongside educators from schools all over the US learning about the adolescent brain, social-emotional learning tools, troubleshooting scenarios, and dreaming up projects they could bring back to Proctor. Kyle notes, “The program was incredibly energizing and inspiring as we learned from experts who have brought the core ideas from GCLi to their schools. Namely, that all students can be leaders. Drew and I are working on ways to bring more spaces and opportunities to students to understand themselves as leaders and leverage their strengths to help promote a stronger sense of community.” Drew adds, “A great benefit of the conference is that the conversation and connection continues even after it has ended. We both have contact information for educators and administrators from our groups that provide a great resource for checking on best practices and policies of other schools.”
Kelly Griffin-Brown (Head Athletic Trainer) | National Athletic Training Association Convention
Head Athletic Kelly Griffin-Brown attended the annual National Athletic Training Association (NATA) convention in Orlando, Florida. While at the convention, Kelly was recognized by the NATA as the Secondary School Athletic Trainer of the Year for District 1. Read more about Kelly’s honor HERE!
Raz Rasweiler (Learning Skills Department, Native American Coordinator) | Rosebud Trip
Raz reflects on Proctor’s annual employee engagement on the Sicangú Rosebud Reservation, “If you have ever been on the Proctor campus it is likely you have heard the names White Hat and Around Him or seen the photos, star quilts and the buffalo skull in their special keeping places in various spaces around campus. As part of the decades-long story that continues to unfold year after year, thirteen employees and friends of Proctor spent July 20th-28th on the Sicangú Rosebud Reservation participating in and supporting a special annual ceremony. Since 2015 every year (except 2020-Covid), “Proctor Camp” has shown up in many ways to participate in and support. This year may have been our tenth consecutive year anniversary visiting our relatives on the prairie, but as far as I am concerned, we have only just begun. We have so much to learn. If you are interested in participating in next summer’s journey west, or learning more about Proctor’s Native American Connection. We welcome you.”
Amanda Hatfield (Learning Skills Department) | Rosebud Trip
Amanda, also joined the Rosebud Trip, and notes, “This being my first ever Lakota Ceremony, I was a bit nervous. Quickly I learned that there was no need to be because people uplifted you no matter where you were. The culture is rooted in respect and a deep appreciation for everything and everyone around you and that permeates the grounds. On my second day, I ventured down to the cook shack where I found my ‘home’. I met some of the most honest, caring and hardworking people. The matron of the operation, MaDonna, and her cook shack family welcomed me to the team. While chopping vegetables for buffalo stew and frying the fry bread I learned about people’s lives and connected through humor. We served those at the ceremony who spent their days making the music, bringing around the cedar or maintaining the fire. Each night we would also feed the entire community and it was a wonderful way to make even more connections. These connections, for me, were the most important part and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity. Sundance changed me for the better and I cannot wait to do it all over again.”
Caleb Dunklee (Facilities Team) | Rosebud Trip
Caleb took part in the Rosebud Trip with other faculty and staff and reflects, “When it comes to employee professional development opportunities, there is no comparison to the Oglala Lakota Ceremony on the Rosebud Sioux grounds. From the daily experiences to the people you interact with, not to mention the cross country roadtrip, in my opinion there is no better way to learn, give to a community, and develop as a professional. It’s also something that is hard to describe so that a person would truly understand, so I recommend that more of us take the chance to explore.”
Rosanna Eubank (History Department, European Art Classroom Coordinator, Student Activities) | Rosebud Trip
Rosanna also took part in the Rosebud Trip and reflects, “Time spent on the Rosebud Reservation each July has become essential to the rhythm of my year. Although I always find myself incapable of explaining the experience to others, what I truly gain from that time is community. A witnessing of one particular family’s deep commitment to their own Lakota culture and family. A chance to rejoin an annual community that supports the ceremony and share the bonds of physical labor and mutual respect. And a strengthening of our own Proctor community by time spent off campus together, sharing meals and laughter, coffee before the sun rises, moments of silence and silliness. All in all, it is a reminder of how essential connection is.”
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