FLEX TIME A P P L E S E E D A WA R D S
Michael Allwood, Susan Smith, Mary Alice Ackley, and Kristina Norrgard
Appleseed Award Winners Cited for Effort, Execution
T
HEY ALL get an “A” for
1990 and has been a fixture in the
effort and execution.
Pre School for nearly three decades
The Appleseed Awards, given in recognition of
faculty members who have shown exceptional dedication to inspiring
— touching the lives of literally hundreds of students in their earliest years of education. “She has given her heart and
and instills that love in his students.”
and encouraging Brunswick boys
soul to Brunswick and finds true
Susan Smith began at Brunswick
in their academic, athletic, and
joy in working with our youngest
in 1999 and is a beloved third-grade
extracurricular pursuits, have
boys, teaching them not only the
teacher — infusing her work in the
been presented to Mary Alice
foundational skills they need for
classroom with humor, compassion,
Ackley, Michael Allwood, Kristina
academic learning, but also the
and a real sense of joy.
Norrgard, and Susan Smith.
essential skills necessary for posi-
“Whether building vocabulary,
The awards were established by
beginning. She teaches Biology and AP Psychology and assists with the water polo and swim teams. “Kristina has been a great addition to the science department in several facets, not the least of which is the myriad ways she embraces and
tive social behavior and successful
reciting poetry, examining charac-
manifests 21st-century pedagogical
the family of Sam ’11, William ’12,
work habits,” Pre School Head Gina
ters in a book, or simply enjoying
objectives in her teaching strategies
and Jamie MacFarlane ’16 as a
Hurd said.
reading for reading’s sake, Susan
and lesson plan design,” Assistant
encourages her students to develop
Headmaster for Academic Programs Rick Beattie said.
way of thanking Brunswick faculty
Michael Allwood, who joined the
members for their dedication,
faculty in 1997, has offered a steady
that love as well,” Lower School
commitment, and positive impact.
hand of guidance and mathemat-
Head Katie Signer said.
“The department as a whole
In addition, the awards seek to
ical intellect to all those students
“Many a Brunswick boy has
recognize the vital role that faculty
and fellow faculty who’ve been in
begun a fantastic journey with
a curriculum centered on self-
members play in developing the
his charge throughout his term of
books, inspired by the seeds Susan
directed inquiry and investigative
character of Brunswick boys and
service. He is the Chair of the Math
has planted and nurtured.”
scientific method, and Kristina
in identifying, nurturing, and
Department.
channeling the enormous potential within each Brunswick student.
“Michael is a superb mathemati-
Kristina Norrgard is a relatively new face on the ’Wick faculty,
has clarified its focus by forging
has played a significant role in the practice of those values.”
cian and teacher,” Headmaster Tom
arriving in 2014, but she has made
Kindergarten teacher Mary Alice
Philip said. “He loves his subject as
her presence known in the class-
during the School’s opening faculty
Ackley first arrived at Brunswick in
much as any teacher on our faculty
room and as a coach since the very
meetings in late August.
64 | TIMES
OF BRUNSWICK • FALL 2018
The awards were presented