The Buzz

Proctor has long understood that students of all learning profiles rise to rigorous academic challenges when paired with support from their teachers and learning specialists. What if Proctor committed to providing more intentional, scheduled, personalized instruction for all its students?

Just as we ask our students to learn by doing, to immerse themselves in their courses, and to engage in civil and productive discourse with their peers, professional development at Proctor exemplifies these same principles.

My favorite question when providing professional development to educators is: What is the role of the teacher? My favorite answer is: To believe that every student in your care has the capacity to grow and change in significant ways. That answer applies the concept of neuroplasticity to our classroom practice.

In an era of dissatisfaction with the democratic process and polarization, educators face the dual challenge of fostering meaningful political discourse and engaging students in democratic processes. The diverse makeup of boarding school communities provides a unique environment for practicing respectful discussion across differences.

As these beautiful fall days transition to full blown stick season, and then winter, our goal is to continue to immerse ourselves and our students in the healing, inspiring, energizing surroundings of the woodlands. 

By its very nature, the Proctor model requires students to evolve. If a student walks across the graduation stage the same as they arrived on campus for registration day, we have failed.

At Proctor, a typical day blends diverse experiences – from classroom learning and campus-wide activities to athletic competitions and artistic pursuits. Amidst this busy schedule, students and faculty find meaning in both large community events and small interactions.

Proctor’s approach to teaching world languages and language immersion programs abroad is informed by the science behind how the human brain learns and stores memories. Our World Language department employs authentic communication, contextual learning, multimodal instruction, and active student engagement to enhance language acquisition.

As we find ourselves doing on a daily basis at the start of this year after losing a member of the Class of 2025 just before the start of the school year to a tragic accident, we are balancing grief and joy, a profound sense of loss and equally profound hope in who we can become as a community this year.