Alumni Connection Winter 2015

Gordon

alumni connection secon d cen tu ry ca mpa ig n ed ition

Winter 2015

Dear Gordon Friends, As the holiday season concludes, I can’t help but think of how much we have to be grateful for this year at Gordon. Programs and teachers are thriving in their new spaces, and students are benefitting from access to two new state of the art music classrooms and a new theater. Members of the community are enjoying the spacious new dining hall, as well as a lunch program that serves five nutritionist-approved meals per week. The new conference room has provided various adult groups in the community with a much needed space for meetings to support the work of the school. Last but certainly not least, the Commons has distinguished itself as a casual meeting area that caters to students, classes, parents, alumni, prospective families, faculty and staff.

To celebrate the amazing new music and theater spaces, and the fact that they are finished and up and running, I have highlighted three faculty members and their programs: • Milly Romanzi, Director of Fine and Performing Arts • Susan Hodgin, Middle School music • Bill Beaudoin, Middle School music electives Accompanying those pieces you will find alumni who have shared their experiences at Gordon and the impact that Ms. Romanzi, Ms. Hodgin and Mr. Beaudoin have had on their lives.

I was also excited to learn that journalist Noah Davis ’97 covered the United States National Soccer Team and their journey at the World Cup in Brazil over the summer! He shared his top five moments from his trip, and some photos he captured from his own excursions throughout the country and from the press box.

I hope you enjoy the issue, and please keep in touch! Visitors are always welcome, so please contact the Development Office if you would like a tour of the new spaces.

Warm regards, Mollie Mattuchio

Associate Development Director mmattuchio@gordonschool.org

Table of Contents 2 Campus Notes 4 Alumni Events 6 Faculty and Alumni Profiles: Second Century Campaign Edition 12 Noah Davis ’97: My Top Five Moments from the World Cup 13 Gordon Athletics Update 14 Class Notes 18 Teacher Residency Program Class Notes

1

Campus Notes

Lucy Kahn ‘06 delivers remarks at the C.J. Buckley Experiential Learning Night

Academic, activist and musician Lucy Kahn ’06 delivered a riveting address June 5, 2014 at the C.J. Buckley Experiential Learning Night. After graduating from Sarah Lawrence College, Lucy spent three months working on a sheep and vegetable farm in Conway, Massachusetts, where she deepened her knowledge of agricultural techniques, foraging and herbal medicine.

In September, she joined the Manhattan Country School farm in the beautiful Catskill Mountains of Roxbury, New York for a one year farm-based teaching apprenticeship.

Jessie Litwin ’08 returns for the annual Induction Luncheon with the Class of 2014

Jessie Litwin ’08 addressed the Class of 2014 at the annual Induction Luncheon last spring.

Jesse spoke about her experience and her responsibilities a Gordon alumna, as well as her pursuits at Northeastern University. Music and theater were an essential part of Jessie’s time at Gordon, and she is currently member of the Nor’easters, the a cappella group at Northeastern.

Gordon librarian elected to serve as juror for major literary award

At last spring’s American Librarian Association conference in Las Vegas, Gordon librarian Frances Martindale was elected to serve on the jury for the Coretta Scott King—Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award. She will be one of five jurors choosing the 2017 winner. The award honors African American authors and illustrators, and educational practitioners, for their contributions to childrens’ and young adult literature. Ms. Martindale began volunteering for the Coretta Scott King award in 2013. Her growing relationship with the award represents the next step in her work advocating for multicultural literature.

Congratulations to the Teacher Residency Program Class of 2014

From left to right: Director Lynn Bowman, Jacqui Denault, Lyndsey Ursillo, Zach Oppenheimer ’02, Ashleigh Stackpoole, Meagan Hughes, Claudia Traub, Kelly Zilly, Tyler Hammer and Instructor, Diana Reeves 2

Five days of hot lunch at Gordon

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2 0 1 4 - 2 0 1 5

H EAD ’ S AD V ISORY COUNCIL

The new dining hall has set the stage for a new

Susanna Rhodes Beckwith ’84, Chair

Parents of Alumni

era of lunch at Gordon. Students, faculty and

Flossie Crisp, Vice Chair

Tish Bodell-Hopkins

Lisa Sienkiewicz

staff dine together at seated lunches. This new

Michael Hamilton, Vice Chair

Kevin Bowman

Bill Shuey

program fosters healthy eating and community

Harry Romain, Vice Chair

Andrew Campbell

Linda Shumate

building. Gordon’s lunch program provides

George Matouk, Treasurer

Johnnie Chace, Co-Chair

Susan Stevenson

nutritionist-approved lunches five days per

Ralph L. Wales, Assistant Treasurer

Malcolm G. Chace, Jr.

Jonathan Stone

Ren Cheng

Donna Templeton Pam Vogel

week, unlimited fruit for all students and fresh, locally grown ingredients through Farm Fresh

J. Winslow Alford

Pamela Choi Redfern

RI’s Mobile Market program.

Robin Boss

Ann Marie Clarkson

Martha Dineen Wales

David Bourns

Meredith Curren

Alumni

Gordon hosts national Robotics Qualifier

Heidi Buonanno

Cindy Elder

Thomas Goddard ’57

Gordon hosted the FIRST LEGO League

Rosemary Colt, Faculty and

Mary Engle

Roz Rustigian ’65

Ken Fain

Becky Book ’66

Robotics qualifying tournament on December

Staff Representative

6th. Twenty teams from throughout Rhode

Eileen Sweeney Craddock

Fred Franklin

Bob Fine ’68

Island were present at Gordon to compete,

Sarah Dobron

Amy Fuller

Ted Widmer ’76

including Gordon’s Middle School team,

Chris Fay

Peyton Gibson

Ben Rhodes ’78

going strong after thirteen years.

Rob Glancy ’97

Ginnie Goldstein

Ward Caswell ’80

Eugene Johnson ’87

Bruce Hampton

Annie White ’87

Heritage Language Program

Chris Kahler

Kerri Hayes

Lara Ewens Montecalvo ’88

The Heritage Language program is a new

Marianne Monte

Barbara Hendrie

Christine Isidoro ’94

addition to the first grade curriculum. The

Candida Monteiro

Jennifer Hosmer

Christopher Liao ’94

program supports native Spanish speakers

Cheryl Nathanson

Heidi Janes

Ted Trafton ’94

within the curriculum, by challenging this

Amy Orth, GCA Representative

Dan Kahn

Emily Bresnahan-McRae

particular group of students to refine their

Jason Pina

Linda Kaplan

verbal, written and reading skills.

Donald Powers

Sally Lapides

Sarah Chace Cotter ’97

Amanda Riegel

Greg Lupica

Gia Garzone ’97

New Math Specialist for the 2014-2015

Jane Ritson-Parsons

Helen Macdonald

Rob Glancy ’97, Co-Chair

school year

Anthony Rust

Sara Shea McConnell

Andrea Weisman Russell ’97

Longtime eighth grade math and science

William Talley

Ro Mede

Adam Freedman ’98

teacher Eric Kravitz has expanded his role to

Cheryl Nathanson,

Ben Freedman ’01

become Gordon’s math specialist. During the

Board Liaison

Mahoney ’97

Nick Wall ’99

summer, Mr. Kravitz attended several Math

Sue Oppenheimer

Katie Goetz ’00

in Focus conferences, and is dedicated to

Liz Pannell

Isaiah Osofisan ’00

working with faculty to enhance Gordon’s

Irene Pappas

Caroline Greene Hunt ’01

math curriculum and best meet the needs of

Vicki Phillips

Caroline Goddard ’01

students across all grade levels.

Faith and Jeff Pine

Gillian Lang ’01

Patty Rock

Carlin O’Donnell ’03

Mary Anne Sedney

Alex Ardente ’04

3

Alumni Events

young

A lu mn i R e union, June 2014

4

Hea d’ s A d v i s o ry C o u n c i l M e e t i n g , O c t o b e r 2 0 1 4 HEAD'S ADVISORY COUNCIL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE To provide alumni and parents of alumni the opportunity to reconnect with Gordon in an informative and meaningful way.

Members are kept current on initiatives at the school and asked to participate in discussion that will support the school’s work.

The Council has a direct relationship with the Board of Trustees through the position of a selected board liaison.

Head’s Advisory Council members serve as ambassadors of Gordon in Greater Providence.

Pr o vi dence Young Al um ni Recep ti o n S ep tem ber 2014

5

fac ult y p r ofile: s e c ond c e n tu ry ca mpa ig n ed ition

Mi lly Ro ma n zi ’s jo urn ey at G o r d o n

Milly Romanzi

Sch o o l bega n nearly a do z e n ye a r s a g o ,

Dir e c t or of fin e a n d performin g a rts

Ac c o rd i n g to Ms. Ro ma n zi, G o r d o n

when she had just moved to Rhode Island.

was the c lear fi t fo r h er t h e n s e c o n d gr a d er, Sh erry Ro man zi ‘10 . S h e rry’s lo ve fo r th e perfo rm i n g ar t s i g n i t e d i n G o rdo n ’s creati ve atmos p h e r e , w h i c h then reki n d led Ms. Ro ma n z i ’s pa s s i o n fo r th eater after twenty ye a r s a s a n a d ver ti si n g execu ti ve. Ms. Ro m a n z i fi rst vo lun teered to sew c o s t u m e s , a c c o mpa n y ch o ru ses a n d s e r ve s n a c ks ; wh atever she c o u ld do to s u p p o r t t h e ra pi dly gr o wi n g pro gr a m o f u n i q u e q u a li ty a n d co n ten t. Fa st f o r wa r d t o fa ll 2014, i n whi c h Ms. Ro m a n z i s t e p p e d i n to the ro le o f Di recto r o f F i n e a n d Perfo rm i n g Ar ts i n th e n ew t h e at e r . S h e h a s sha red reflecti o ns a bo u t h e r r o l e a n d th e beau ti ful new spac e be l o w.

I

had the good fortune to build on the after

that is infused with social meaning—content

school theater program begun by Frances

that explores the range of emotion and

Martindale who partnered with Brown/Trinity

experience. We hone skills at a high level,

and whose work was furthered in the Middle

and with this scaffolding students are highly

School by Susan Reenan. I also have the great

successful in next-school experiences. We

opportunity to work with each of the master

create thoughtful, discerning theater goers.

teachers in our music and art departments, and

We foster creative thinking and problem

am looking forward to leading an integrated

solving. But most importantly, we strive to

arts department as we settle into our freshly

teach what it means to be human.

defined spaces.

The new theater space is a home for the Dedicated to an inclusive experience that

performance program, and it is also a space

honors the contribution of each individual

that classroom teachers use for instruction

student, the performance program at Gordon

across all divisions. In a single week this

School seeks above all to provide a safe place

fabulously flexible new space hosted a Greek

of belonging. In our theater work everyone

tragedy with seventy five middle schoolers,

is cast, parts are crafted to the actor and not

a page-to-stage third grade production, a

vice versa, scripts are carved to create special

creative play project in Kindergarten, three

moments for all, and behind-the-scenes contri-

visiting author talks addressing every child

butions are highly valued. Each play experience

in the school, a full-on mock trial, a rally for

is a unique ‘organism’, a living, breathing com-

children’s rights, an open mic night, a reading

munity of contributors that relies on the health

of creative writing, two dance classes, three

of each to thrive, and which ceases to exist at

choruses, and two acting classes. All with a

the end of our project together… a bittersweet

pull of the curtains and a move of the chairs!

dynamic that makes each project precious.

Our new home is both elegant and approachGordon School’s performing arts work

able, high tech and very simple, central to the

culminates in extraordinary product, but is

life of the school but self-contained. It inspires,

unparalleled in its process. We build joy, safe

enables, and leads us to new pathways of

risk-taking and empathy. We explore content

self-discovery. —Milly Romanzi

6

S h a r key W e i n b e rg ’ 0 6 s tudied with Milly R omanzi duri ng hi s ti me as a stud ent at G o rd o n . He perfo rm ed un d er h er d i r e c t i o n , a n d c r e d i t s h e r f o r f i nding his promise as an actor a n d di recto r. after go rdo n , Sha rkey attend ed Mo ses Br o wn, a n d h e gra d u at e d f r o m t h e T isch School of the Ar ts at New Yo rk Un i versi ty la st spri ng. He i s c u rr ently di recti ng an d pr o d u c i n g .

What inspired you to pursue a career as

dating and romance. It was a huge experiment,

in my future. I just formed a production

an actor and director?

and I made many, many, many mistakes, but

company, Bowen Street Productions, with

My inspiration to become a director was

I’m still proud of the outcome and I use that

my dear friend Christopher Fitzsimmons who

definitely influenced by my time at Gordon

experience of creation as fuel to keep pushing

I met at Brown University’s Theaterbridge

School. I fell in love with performance

me forward. My second highlight was directing

program. We just finished directing our first

and acting at Gordon largely because of

my senior thesis Luna Park by Donald

commercial in Napa Valley, California for

the amazing guidance and teaching of Ms.

Margulies. It was the biggest project that I

a medical facility. My next big project is that

Martindale and Ms. Romanzi. I remember

had taken on, but it had a very close personal

I am producing, not directing, a piece called

watching Annie Jr. when I was in the fifth

connection to me and my family history. It

Strange Weather. It is a modern dance and

grade, and saying to myself, that looks pretty

really taught me that my best work will always

theater piece to the music of Tom Waits, which

fun, and everything has really transpired since

stem from me; not abstract concepts that have

will hopefully premiere in New York City in

then. I didn’t start directing until my sophomore

little to no intersection with my life.

the near future. Besides that, the other projects in my future are not developed enough for me

year of high school at Moses Brown where I directed my first two one-act plays: God

How did Ms. Romanzi’s program shape you

to elaborate on, but I can say keep an eye out

by Woody Allen and The Lives of the Great

as an actor?

for my debut feature film in the next two years.

Waitresses by Nina Shengold. It was then that

Ms. Romanzi is one of the most beautiful

We are always looking out for more work at

I realized my creative voice could most clearly

and amazing people that I have ever had the

Bowen Street Productions, and urge anyone

be expressed through the presentation of the

privilege to know. What she gave me was my

looking for video or theatrical production in

whole product rather than performing a single

confidence. It is, and continues to be, one of

the Gordon School community to contact me.

character. The job of the director is really

the most important gifts I have ever received.

Sorry for the for the most obvious plug in history!

to glue all of the beautifully creative and

I don’t know how she did it. After every time

individual voices of each artist together into

I worked with her, I always felt like I had

What is your favorite memory from

a singularity. That action of gluing and collab-

improved and that I could continue to do so.

performing in the Activity Room?

oration is what truly inspired me. My first real

Her patience, intelligence and love for teach-

My favorite Activity Room memory has to

encounter with that came from watching my

ing and theater was and is a palpable force that

be playing Harold Hill in the Music Man in

theater teachers at Gordon bring together

rubbed off on me. I would not be where I am

eighth grade. This is such a great memory to

both children and adults to make amazingly

today without her guidance and confidence

be largely because of the huge amount of time

dynamic work.

in me as a performer and as a person. She

and effort Ms. Romanzi put in to prepare me.

believed in me in whatever I was doing, and

I also selfishly will never forget it because I

What are some highlights from your time

continues to do so, and I hope she has at least

have never had a bigger part in a musical to

as an undergraduate student at the Tisch

a faint idea of how important and inspirational

this day, and people still tell me how much

School of the Arts at New York University?

that has been to me. I truly am in her debt.

they enjoyed watching that production, almost nine years later.

A highlight of my time at Tisch was my first film, Survivng Texterosis, centered around

Do you have any upcoming projects that you

the anxiety that comes from the instantaneity

are excited about?

of text messaging in the context of college age

There are some rumblings of potential projects

7

faculty p r o f i l e : s e c ond c e nt ury c ampaign e dit ion

Susan Hodgin m i ddl e s c h o o l mu s i c

M i ddl e S c h o o l mu s i c t e ac he r Susa n Hodgin b e gan teachin g at Gord on in 2010. Th is fall, Ms. H od g in en tered h er ow n bra nd n e w c l assro o m t hanks t o t he ge ne rosit y of d on ors from the recen tly completed Secon d Cen tu ry Ca m pa ig n .

I n a ddi t i o n t o t e a c h ing music c lasse s t hroughout the d ay, Ms. H od g in is at the helm of beloved pr og ra ms at G or d on , s uch as t h e G - N o t e s a c appe lla group and t he han d bell en semble. Ms. H od g in ’s commitmen t to elevatin g th e m u s ic pro gra m at G o r d o n is re fle c t e d in he r daily work .

All Middle School students at Gordon School

How does music aid and/or detract from an

the capacity to listen for the nuances of pitch,

have a voice, are empowered and are valued.

understanding between cultures? What is the

tone, articulation and balance. They feel more

Music classes continue the experiential learning

role of music in social justice? As students

connected to group and solo singing, experience

begun in Lower School and expand toward

begin to formulate their own insights into

truer aural feedback from instruments and

higher levels of development and understanding

these complex topics, they begin the process

participate more comfortably in academic

in music literacy, critical thinking and problem

of critical analysis. As always, we operate in

dialogue. Gordon students are now benefitting

solving. Skills in music classes such as partici-

a hands-on, interactive setting.

enormously from a space designed specifically with their needs in mind. And we are all look-

pation, communication, discipline, risk-taking, collaboration, innovation, creativity, and the

Middle School music classes and performance

ing forward to the opportunity to perform in

ability to “self-start” are essential in today’s

ensembles are infused with energy, intellectual

the new theater space.

world. Music teaches all of those things, plus

stimulation and self-expression. The impact of

it gives students access to the intrinsic value

the new spaces on the Middle School music

I believe…

of expression and what it means to be human.

program is systemic. Students are experiencing

Music is an essential subject,

The process of learning is as important as the

visible and physical proof that music is valued

not only because of the mental workout

finished product.

at Gordon. They are more eager to take the

necessary to

subject seriously. They are embracing joy in

comprehend, create, and perform it well

The multicultural mission of Gordon is evident

their achievements because the process of

and not simply because

every day in music class. It is an inclusive

getting to the finished product has become

it is an amazing avenue to

environment where multiple varieties of in-

profoundly more focused and pleasant. The

explore other cultures, history

structional strategies are used to engage every

new physical environments feel emotionally

and the intersection between the arts

student. We sing, play Orff instruments and

safe. Students can experiment with creative

and social justice

recorder, move, improvise, dance, experiment,

expression and they can engage in the physical

but

drum, play handbells, create, compose, analyze,

trial and error necessary to achieve skills. I am

because music has its own

interpret and evaluate. As students expand their

able to listen without distraction, which allows

intrinsic value to touch the human spirit.

journey toward music literacy, they grow in

me to not only listen to the music product

their abilities to perform and create music, to

but to each individual student and be more

perceive and understand music, and to com-

sensitive to their individual needs.

prehend the powerful connections between music and the other arts, other content areas

The new music classroom has windows, fresh

and multicultural communities. Students

air and appropriate acoustics, allowing us to

explore music history, emphasizing the rela-

reinforce Gordon founder Helen Cooke’s ob-

tionship between music as an art form and the

jective to “instill the true spirit of joyous work.”

individual and society. We address contempo-

There is an interactive whiteboard and a won-

rary concerns around the culture of music:

derful speaker system for enhanced listening

Why is “popular music” popular? What is the

capacity. With quality acoustics, students can

ratio of importance between talent and image?

be fully immersed in learning. They now have

8

­­—Susan Hodgin

K ayl a C a m p b e l l ’ 1 1 s t udied with Susan

Chorus and handbells were the only options,

male members for the first time, which was a

H od g in d u r i n g M s . H o d gin’s first y ear

aside from band. There wasn’t enough star

whole new musical experience for me, and she

a s t h e M i d d l e S c h o o l music teacher at

power in that for me, so I started ringing more

led me to participate in the All State choir for the

Gor d on i n 2 0 1 0 . K ay l a is now a senior

seriously. I guess I caught the bug and I’ve

first time; something that I still like to bring up

at W h ee l e r S c h o o l , where she continues

never looked back.

in conversation. She challenged me to take on a bigger role in the handbell choir, and if it weren’t

h e r s t u d i e s a s a d e d i c ated perform ing

What are some highlights from your time

for her I wouldn’t be ringing with the Wheeler

as a student at Gordon?

Concert Handbell Ringers; she worked tirelessly

When did your passion for performing

I really appreciated any time I got to work with

with me to help me prepare for my audition.

and singing develop?

Ms. Romanzi. She was such an influential per-

I started playing the piano when I was in first

son in my life. Middle School can be a rough

Do you have any upcoming projects that

grade. My mom claims it was second grade,

time for a lot of people, and I was definitely

you are excited about?

and I’m positive it was Kindergarten, so we

one of them, but working with Ms. Romanzi,

The Wheeler Concert Handbell Ringers

split the difference. I had no idea what I was

be it on chorus songs, secret G-Notes rehears-

performed at the High School Ring Out at

doing when I first started, but going to my

als when Ms. Griffith was leaving, the musical,

the Aldrich Mansion, and we will perform

lesson soon became the highlight of my week.

or Shakespeare in the City, was always a time

for Alex and Ani in our winter concert series.

It seemed logical that I started singing with

when I could be myself and I felt the safest.

We always welcome people to come watch

the chorus when I was in first grade, I’d liked

The theater and music programs wouldn’t

us perform!

the Kindergarten and first grade shows, and

have been the same to me without her, and

I wanted to do more like it. I seized the oppor-

I wouldn’t be the person I am today without

Are you planning to continue your choral

tunity to shine in front of a crowd; I quite

my teachers.

and handbell work in college?

a r t is t.

enjoyed the spotlight when I was younger.

Unfortunately handbells are not easy to find How did Ms. Hodgin’s program influence

everywhere. As it stands right now, none of

I got involved with handbells more seriously

your career as a performer?

the colleges I’m applying to have a handbell

in seventh grade. We had done some work

I only got to experience Ms. Hodgin for one

program. However I definitely plan to continue

with them in earlier Middle School years, but

year, however it was a fantastic experience.

ringing. The handbell community is rich in

when it came time to choose electives in the

She opened doors for me that I didn’t even

churches around the country, and I hope to

upper years I knew I had to take musical ones.

know were there. The G-Notes opened up to

find such a community wherever I go to college.

“Gordon isn’t Gordon without a little music. I could say so much about the music program at Gordon and how special it was to me. Ever since second grade when I learned how to play the recorder, to eighth grade when I was a keyboard soloist in the band, Gordon has never failed to challenge me musically. I learned how to compose melodies and conduct a handbell ensemble with Ms. Hodgin. I learned how to express myself musically and theatrically with Ms. Romanzi. I even learned how to play in a band with other musicians with Mr. Beaudoin for the first time. These priceless experiences have allowed me to continue to be musical in my high school career as I continue to play music with others. I cannot express my gratitude enough for how much Gordon has exposed me to learning about my own musical capabilities.” —Xilian Sansoucy ’13

9

faculty p r o f i l e : s e c ond c e nt ury c ampaign e dit ion

BILL BEAUDOIN m i ddl e s c h o o l mu s i c e le c t ive s

B il l B e a u d o i n h a s b e e n teaching at Gordon for ov er thi r ty-th ree yea rs. Hu n d reds of s t u d e n t s h av e b e n efitted from his inclusiv e and su ppo r ti ve appro a c h to teac h i n g m u s ic . T h i s y e a r , f o r the first time, Mr. Beaudoin has h i s o wn spa c e to tea c h musi c e l e c t iv e s a s a r e s u lt o f the Second Century Campaign.

It has been a long and rewarding path for me

storage space and a flat screen television at our

as a teacher of Middle School music. I arrived

disposal. Already, the space has had a positive

at Gordon in 1981 as a private lesson teacher

impact on the program in many ways. I now

of drums and flute. My beliefs about the impor-

have the capability to show videos of inspira-

tance of providing meaningful music making

tional performers or instruction. Just the other

opportunities for students led to collaborations

day, the percussion ensemble rehearsed a cho-

with other instrumentalists to form small

ral piece along with a video performance that

ensembles and rock bands. Eventually this

we are planning to perform with the Gordon

model was offered to students as an arts elec-

chorus. This would not have been possible

tive class. A few years later, I decided to offer

last year. I am excited to be teaching in such

percussion ensemble as an elective. Happily,

a supportive environment, and our students

both classes have attracted students to partici-

will certainly benefit from the incredible new

pate in instrumental music performance.

resources. —Bill Beaudoin

I have always felt that my job as a music

What albums I’m listening to right now:

teacher is to help students to reach their goals

Herbie Mann Mississippi Gambler

musically. For me, that means that I need to

Charles Lloyd Weavings

learn as much as possible about every individ-

B.B. King The Jungle

ual in order to identify the steps necessary

Joseph Haydn The Creation

to facilitate growth in each student. Although

Jerry Butler It All Comes Out In My Song

we are working to create music together, the

The Beatles Introducing The Beatles

process of learning to be a part of a performing group is very much an individual journey.

“As a member of the band, going through my punk middle school stage with baggy cargo pants, studded belts, crimped hair, and my red electric guitar slung carefully around my neck, I was unsure of who I was,

The new Middle School band clasroom is a

but Mr. Beaudoin was not. He saw a girl who loved music and was ecstatic to be learning about it from him.

welcome location for the band and percussion ensembles. We now have adequate space

He gave me a guitar solo in the song “Soul Man” that I insisted he give to the boy in my class who had been

to accommodate the various groups without

playing the electric guitar longer than I had. Mr. Beaudoin let me have the solo and I will never forget per-

clutter. Classroom time can be managed more

forming it with the band in the field house. I was wearing a sparkly cheetah pencil skirt that I had just made

efficiently due to the ability to leave ensemble

in my fashion class, and to some I may have certainly looked ridiculous. But all Mr. Beaudoin noticed was that

equipment in place. We have a white board,

I nailed my solo and I know he saw the pride and adrenaline rushing through me.” —Jessie Litwin ’08

10

N ic k M i r z a ’ 0 7 s t u d i e d under Bill

What are some highlights from your time as

whether or not his students end up pursuing

B e a u d o i n at G o r d o n , w here he fur ther

a student at Gordon?

music as a career, Mr. Beaudoin’s classes foster

d e ve l o p e d h i s pa s s i o n for play ing the

It won’t come as shock to hear that Mr. Beau-

the development of qualities like patience,

d r u m s . N i c k we n t o n to attend Wheeler

doin’s classes were the biggest highlights from

empathy, teamwork and mutual understanding

S c h ool a f t e r h e gra d u ated from

my time at Gordon. I only went to Gordon

that are crucial in all aspects of life.

Gor d on, a n d h e c u rrently attends

for seventh and eighth grade, but during those

Em ory U n i v e r s i t y i n Atlanta, Georgia.

two years I learned so much about music and

Do you have any upcoming projects that you

about myself. Throughout my time at Gordon,

are excited about?

When did you decide you wanted to play

I exclusively took the band and percussion

Right now I am involved in a jazz combo at

the drums?

ensemble electives taught by Mr. Beaudoin; I

Emory University, where I am in my senior

My interest in drumming started when I was

ended up having some sort of music instruction

year. I don’t have much free time during the

in sixth grade. My uncle was a professional

almost every day of the school week with him.

week because of my busy class schedule, but

drummer for years, and he had given my

Needless to say, it was an invaluable experi-

the little amount of free time that I do have is

brother one of his snare drums when my

ence. In addition to my immersion in Gordon’s

typically devoted to music. The jazz combo

brother was in elementary school, with the

music program, I really enjoyed and appreci-

program at Emory has been a great experience;

hope that my brother might learn the instrument.

ated Gordon’s core curriculum. I had great

it is certainly a challenging program but it is

His interest in drumming was short lived, and

teachers for all of my classes. The Civil Rights

also extremely rewarding. I am lucky to play

the snare drum ended up in the tree house in

trip was another highlight, and an experience

with some very talented musicians, many

our backyard. One day I decided, on a whim,

that I appreciate to this day. Being introduced

of whom will undoubtedly have impressive

to see what was still in the tree house after

to those social and historical issues in such a

careers as professional musicians in the future.

years of abandonment. Finding the drum really

direct way gives Gordon students a huge ad-

piqued my curiosity, and shortly thereafter I

vantage and an extremely valuable perspective

Are you planning to pursue music after you

started taking drum lessons. One of my mom’s

in position to have a positive impact on the

graduate from Emory University?

colleagues strongly recommended that I take

world.

Music will always be a part of my life. My current goal is to attend medical school in

lessons with Mr. Beaudoin. She described him as being the best. I couldn’t agree more.

How did Mr. Beaudoin’s program influence

the future. I will take one or two gap years after

I also happened to be transitioning between

your career as a performer?

I graduate to get some more experience under

schools, and Gordon was one of the schools

Mr. Beaudoin’s program was undoubtedly the

my belt, and to give myself a break from school

I was interested in attending. Because of Mr.

most significant influence on my passion for

before I commit to the long process of becoming

Beaudoin’s program, Gordon was the obvious

music. His program showed me that music is

a doctor. I don’t have anything set in stone in

choice.

a fun, rewarding and communal experience.

terms of my plans before medical school, but

Mr. Beaudoin’s program is rooted in teamwork.

I have no doubt that drumming will always be

Whether it is a classic pop song in band or an

a major presence.

exotic arrangement in percussion ensemble, teamwork is at the very core of making music in Mr. Beaudoin’s classes. Regardless of

11

Above right photo: Nick performing with his jazz combo at Emory University

al um n i p r o f i l e

Noah Davis ’97

N oa h D av i s ‘ 9 7 i s a f r e elance writer b ased in Brook lyn , New Yo rk. He h a s wri tten f or T h e N e w Y o r k e r , T he Wall Str eet J our nal, Details, ESPN , Spo rts Illust rated, Men’s F itn e ss a n d m a n y o t h ers. Noah is also the deputy edi to r at Am eri ca So ccer N o w, Gra nt l a nd’ s U n i t e d S tates national team columnist, a staff wri ter at The Cla ss i ca l a n d a s e n i o r e d i t o r at Str eet Fight. Noah gradated fro m Mo ses Br o wn i n 2001 a n d r e c e ived h i s B . A . f r o m Bates College in 2 0 0 5 .

N oa h ( s e c o n d f r o m r i ght ab ov e) repor ted from the 2014 Wo rld Cu p i n Br azi l o ver t h e s u mme r , a n d h a s agreed to share his top fiv e mo men ts o f the to urn a ment.

1. Walking into Arena das Dunas in Natal,

4. The drive to the United States versus

When did your interest in journalism and

Brazil, which was the site of the United States

Germany match

freelance writing begin?

versus Ghana match on June 16th

It poured the night before the match, flooding

While I had a brief, glorious stint at an

It is always very cool to walk into a stadium

most of Recife including portions of the high-

alternative high school paper reviewing

press box and see my name tag next to a work

way. About ten miles from the stadium, we

concerts I didn’t attend, I got serious about

station. That never gets old. Well, I guess it

drove through a massive puddle, more like a

journalism and writing my senior year when

might, but that will be a good sign that it is

temporary river, that was at least two feet deep

people would ask me what I was going to do

time to quit and go do something else.

and three hundred yards wide. Water came

after college. I started telling them “move to

up through floor of the car. I felt like we were

New York and become a writer,” so I moved

2. United States defender John Brooks’

fording a river in the Oregon Trail computer

to Brooklyn and got a job in a restaurant. I

winning goal against Ghana

game, just like I used to do in the Gordon

wrote everywhere that would have me, usually

There is no cheering in the press box because

computer lab.

for free, and got exceptionally good at clearing plates. One of these is a tangible life skill;

you’re supposed to be objective, and the

the other is how I currently make a living.

United States press corps is more professional

5. United States versus Belgium under the

than most, but it’s impossible not to feel some-

Manhattan Bridge, prior to the World Cup

thing, even if it’s just happiness for the players

qualifying games

How did Gordon impact your career as a

on the field who you have been covering for

For the first time in twelve years, I watched

writer?

the last four years.

a United States game in the States. I went to

I have fond memories of the Dr. Weirdly series

a packed viewing party near my house. It was

my good friend Karl Dunkelman ’97 and I

3. Watching the Brazil versus Mexico match

amazing to see how much the sport has grown

created in first grade. He was a far superior

in Porto de Galinhas

since the Korea/Japan World Cup in 2002,

illustrator, so I think I became the writer by

Three friends and I went to a local restaurant

when a few friends and I ran around an empty

default. It turned out okay. Beyond that, the

in Porto de Galinhas for the host country’s

Blackstone Boulevard following America’s

ability to keep an open mind about the people

second game. Nothing else was open. The

2-0 win over Mexico in the quarterfinals.

and the topics I cover has been essential in

police, the electric crews, the local shop

my career. That’s definitely a skill I first began

owners, everyone took the afternoon off to

developing at Gordon.

support famed Brazilian forward, Neymar, and the rest of the Brazilian team. We ate excellent shrimp and tried not to look out of place.

12

Gordon

Athletics

A note from Veronica Jutras, Director of Wellness and Athletics When I asked coaches to send me a brief recap of their seasons to highlight perceived successes and accolades via email, my inbox was inundated with lengthy stories about team “ah-ha moments”, accounts of individual skill, leadership development in players, personal transformation and an overall celebration of attitude, energy, commitment, and teamwork. Comments about statistics and titles were included as a side note, or not referenced at all. I could not be prouder as an athletic director to read those comments. Our coaches have youth sports in perspective. They care deeply about their team’s actual experience rather than a singular outcome. At Gordon, we teach child by child, and our commitment to meeting the needs of adolescents, providing guidance, challenging kids appropriately and facilitating a growth process is as pervasive on the athletics fields as it is in our classrooms.

2 0 1 4 f a l l s e a s o n H IG H LIG H TS •

The girls A field hockey team won the Middle School Tournament for the third year in a row. They have had only one loss over the past three seasons. This fall they went

to display trophies, but we have afforded the future

undefeated and only gave up one goal.

•

“This year, the boys A soccer team will not be able

some changes that are fertile. The precedence of

Three Gordon cross country runners finished in the top thirty of eight hundred runners,

confident boys, unity in sports and a redefinition of fun where the culture of inclusion is alive.”

—Sheldon Townsend, boys A soccer coach

male and female. The number three and number six female runners and the number twenty six male runner.

“Winning and losing with your friends can give you a sense of community, and you can have a lot of fun doing it too. Your sports career at Gordon will be the most fun, exciting and gratifying experience that you can have, even if you’re not a star athlete, or if you’re trying a new sport for the first time. It was for me.” —Benjamin Hrovat, eighth grade, at the student run fall sports assembly

13

s s a l c

w i n t e r

s e t no

2 0 1 4

2

1

3

3

5Os

Bonney B. Sevellon ’54 was the 2014 Legacy Award recipient for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Ocean State last spring.

8Os

Deborah Forman ’81 writes: “I am currently

Last July, director Sam Fleischner ’98 returned

the brokerage business and I’m in investment

working on my second book with Quarry Books

to Providence and treated an audience to a

banking. All is well out here in the Wild West!”

called Color Lab for Mixed-Media Artists due to

question and answer session after the opening

come out in the spring of 2015. My first book,

night screening of his award-winning film

Sarah Engle ’03 writes: “This is my second

Paint Lab, came out in fall 2013. Thrilled to

Stand Clear of the Closing Doors, at the Cable

year teaching third grade at Leadership Prep

have my second grader Nathaniel at Gordon!”

Car Cinema in Providence.

Ocean Hill in Brownsville, Brooklyn. We are

9Os

Last July, Greg Katzen ’98 married Caitlin

data-driven instruction to reverse the achieve-

Miller, sister of current Gordon employee

ment gap and prepare low-income students

Joe Miller ’02. The wedding featured two

to graduate from college. Last year, out of

Kevin welcomed their first child Bridget in June

Gordon alumni, Adam Freedman ’98 and

over 700 New York City public and charter

Simone Mikolich ’99, as ceremony speakers

schools, we ranked in the top 15 schools

and officiants. Greg finished his first year

based on our performance on the third and

of graduate school last spring in Palo Alto,

fourth grade state exam.”

photo 1

incredibly passionate about using high-quality,

Ariel Mae Lambe Mercik ’95 and her husband of 2013. Ariel then completed her Ph.D. at Columbia University in December 2013, and began her new position last January as assistant professor in the history department at the

California, where he is getting a doctorate Allegra Scharff ’03 writes: “I’m excited to be

University of Connecticut.

in clinical psychology.

Merebea Danforth ’98 writes: “Last May I

OOs

a nonprofit organization geared towards

accelerated nursing program at Johns Hopkins

and dropped by campus last May with his

many hats, but my focus has been creating

University. I have really enjoyed the move

mother and father. He is pictured with Lower

into this new field.”

School Director Maryanne Pieri.

Charlie Enright ’98 is competing in the Volvo

Terry Moran ’02 writes: “I just recently moved

Ocean Race as the skipper for Team Alvimedica.

to Boston to take over the New England

The race began in Alicante, Spain in October.

territory for Heavy Seas Brewery, the makers

Charlie became an All-American as a member

of Loose Cannon IPA. I have been working for

of the sailing team at Brown University, and

the brewery for over four years and love it.

has skippered boats in major races around the

We have tripled in size over the past four years

world. This past June, The Herreshoff Marine

and it is an awesome industry. I recently got

Museum hosted a lecture by Charlie, in which

engaged to my Loyola classmate Savannah Audi

he spoke about taking on Ocean Racing’s

and will be married in Newport next summer.”

invaluable part of my job. It is wonderful to

will complete its sixth of nine legs and arrive

Bates Parsons ’02 writes: “My fiancée Leah

become who I am.”

in Newport after a 5,000-mile trip from Itajai,

and I got engaged earlier this year and are

Brazil.

getting married next April in Minnesota.

Alex Unger ’03 recently completed the AIDS/

We are living out in Denver and both working

LifeCycle Ride to End AIDS to raise money

in the financial services industry. She’s in

and awareness for the HIV/AIDS epidemic and

moved to Baltimore, Maryland. I will be here for just over a year while completing an

the Director of Education for Revive the Roots, ecological social design in Smithfield, Rhode

Rauf Prasodjo ’00 earned his Ph.D. from Yale,

photo 2

toughest challenge. Next May, the Volvo race

14

Island. As a young organization we all wear and teaching permaculture based programs on and off site, along with coordinating internships and facilitating other educational opportunities. I am in the process of starting an environmental mentoring program in Central Falls in partnership with Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living. I love what I do, the like-mindedness of my co-workers who have become some of my best friends and the amazing property we are able to watch thrive.

Working in Rhode Island has to be the most give back to a community that helped me photo 3

4

5

6

7

support the San Francisco AIDS Foundation

interviews with adults with disabilities and

Currently, the vast majority of prosthetic sockets

and the Los Angeles LGBT Center. He is

policy analysts, she will investigate the

are a fixed size and can only be used for about

pictured coming into the closing ceremonies

relationship between community and policy

a year by children before they outgrow them.

in LA. He writes: “Next year is right around the

and how this may enrich an understanding of

The goal among most professional prosthetists

corner! I’m super excited for the ride in June

international disability policy. Her Fulbright

is to replace missing limbs with something

2015: www.tofighthiv.org/goto/alexunger.”

research proposal developed out of her work

as close to the ’normal’ limb as possible.

photo 4

as a senior at Middlebury on the relationship

I decided that I wanted to take a different

between international disability discourse and

approach and try to see Aidan’s limb difference

Nate Ardente ’05 received his masters in

rights advocacy work in China, as well as from

as a unique design opportunity and give him

Sustainable Real Estate Development from

her engagement with the Center for Compara-

a prosthetic that would be cool and fun. The

Tulane this past May. He is now located in

tive Study of Race and Ethnicity’s Life Stories

attachments all have specific applications from

Boston, Massachusetts where he is a Research

Project.

riding a bike or playing the violin, to building with Legos or playing video games.”

Analyst for Jones Lang LaSalle.

Allie McCahan ’05 is a senior business analyst Alix Bowman ’05 completed her service with

Ben Fine ’07 was chosen as a captain of the

at SinglePlatform in New York City.

2014-2015 Brandeis University Varsity Tennis

City Year in San Jose, California last spring. She worked at Caesar Chavez Elementary School

Liam Miner ’05 is still located in Denver,

Team. Ben (on the right) is pictured on the

providing tutoring and teaching in grades three

Colorado, and is working as a business analyst

court with former Gordon classmate Dylan

through five. She was recently accepted to

for a software company specializing in customer

Neel ’07. Ben and Dylan were teammates on

the University of Pennsylvania Residency

experience analytics. He spends most of his

a United States Tennis Association league team

Master’s in Teaching Program. She taught

weekends hiking or on the ski slopes.

in Boston last summer.

taking classes this summer at the University

Maggie Sawdy ’05 is still in Kenya studying

After his second academic year at the United

of Pennsylvania.

the behavior and development of hyenas. You

States Naval Academy, Gavin Fuller ’08 photos

can follow her adventure through her blog at:

6+7

http://travelsofacollegegrad.wordpress.com/.

Naval Academy summer training. It is a four

photo 5

at Miss Porter’s School in Connecticut while

Alex Carney ’05 is a marketing representative for Mainspring Healthcare Solutions based in

began PROTRAMID, which is the U.S.

week program, which includes an in depth Coby Unger ’05 writes: “I moved to the Bay

introduction to a wide range of Marine Corps

Area in June and have been enjoying a position

experiences, including aviation. As a quantitative

Chris Kingdon ’05 is a social media monitoring

as resident artist at Autodesk’s Pier 9 and

economics major, Gavin completed course

reporter at Bloomberg LP in London.

Instructable.com. I recently had my final

work at the London School of Economics dur-

presentation, which focused mostly on the

ing August and July. He loved being in London,

Anna Mack ’05 graduated with honors from

prosthetic arm project I have been working

and it was a significant change to be in a

Middlebury College last spring. Prior to gradu-

on with a nine-year-old Warwick, Rhode

civilian college environment. Late last summer,

ating, Anna was awarded the U.S. Department

Island native named Aidan. Aidan was born

Gavin signed his two for seven agreement.

of State Critical Language Scholarship (CLS)

without a left arm below the elbow. We have

He is committed to finishing his last two years

and a Fulbright Fellowship. With her Fulbright

been working together to develop a prosthetic

at the U.S. Naval Academy and serving for

grant, Anna will explore how disability is expe-

socket that will grow with him as he gets older

a minimum of five years in the fleet after

rienced in modern-day China. By conducting

and a series of attachments and accessories.

graduation. Gavin still finds time to play club

Boston, Massachusetts.

lacrosse, recreational squash and golf.

15

1

6

7

Morgan Rainey ’08 was an intern at ArtProv

Allie Fuller ’10 graduated from St. George’s

last summer. She is pictured with artist and

School last spring. She now attends Connecticut

owner Nick Paciorek. She also interned with

College and will play varsity squash.

Candita Clayton at her Hope Artiste Village Gallery.

Austin Miller ’10 had a wonderful four years

photo 1

at Moses Brown. He played ice hockey and

2+3

Brandon Bowman ’09 completed his first year

lacrosse for four years, and senior year was

at the United States Air Force Academy last

selected as captain of both his ice hockey and

spring. He played on the lacrosse team and

lacrosse teams. During his senior year he also

saw a lot of playing time. The USAFA Falcons

played football for the first time and had a

were the Eastern Collegiate Conference title

great season. Last summer, Austin traveled to

champions. Winning the play-in game against

Valparaiso, Chile to volunteer at a non-profit

Richmond, Brandon and the team headed to

established by a Camp Fuller counselor.

the first round of the NCAA tournament as

He attends Holy Cross College and will play

the seventeenth best team in the nation. They

Division I lacrosse.

played the number one seed Duke and lost, but it was a good fight. This was the first time

Jonah Parker ’10 attends Vassar College. Last

since 1988 that the Falcons made it to the

spring, he had his senior art gallery show at

NCAA tournament.

the Wheeler School.

photos 2 + 3

1Os

Sherry Romanzi ’10 is a freshman at Princeton

Classical High School. He entered George

attended the People’s Climate March last

Randy Alsabe ’10 graduated cum laude from Washington University in Washington, DC last fall. Over the past few years at Classical, Randy was a member of Chopin Club as a committed pianist and a stage manager. Randy was the president of the Chopin Club this past 4+5

year and a recipient of Chopin Scholarship award. Randy was also able to stay involved in soccer, baseball and track. In the past year, Randy finished medical research at the Providence VA Medical Center. He also had an internship at Rhode Island Hospital in

University in Princeton, New Jersey. Along with four busloads of Princeton students, Sherry September in New York City. Also in attendance with The Putney School was Gordon alumna Kayla Pina ’12.

photos 5 + 6

Charlie Ruhl ’10 was on the Rhode Island State Championship winning golf team at Moses Brown last spring.

Emma Ruhl ’10 and Charlotte Whalen ’10 spent last spring as seniors at Lincoln School doing service learning projects and community

orthopedics.

service at Gordon School to help out in Early

Maddy Berkson ’10, Audrey Chisholm ’10,

ment office and did some alumni relations

and Hannah Langmuir ’10 were all nominees for Rhode Island COX Sports Awards last spring. Maddy was nominated for both girls outdoor track and girls indoor track, Audrey for girls volleyball and Hannah for girls lacrosse.

16

Childhood. They also supported the developwork! They are pictured with Sherry Romanzi ’10 on campus last spring in photo 7. Sherry was a presence on campus last spring to help students prepare for Gordon’s Shakespeare in the City production held at Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

photo 4

8

10

9

11

12

Sylvia Skerry ’10 was awarded the Edward M.

Playing in the men’s draw of the US Open was

Lawton, Jr. Prize for her work in the existential-

a dream come true for Jared and his whole

ism elective at Williston Northampton School.

family. Jared currently lives and trains with

The award is presented for superior work in

his coach Taylor Dent and Taylor’s family in

various elective courses in the History and

Irvine, California.

Social Sciences Department.

Visit Gordon School online

w w w. g o r d o n s c h o o l . o r g

photo 9 + 10

photo 8

facebook.com/thegordonschool

Manya Glassman ’11 received a scholarship

@GordonSchool

As the graduating senior with the highest

from the Patricia W. Edwards Memorial Art

academic grade point average at St. Mary

Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation and

Academy Bay View in Riverside, Rhode Island,

studied in the Rhode Island School of Design’s

Emily Sulanowski ’10 delivered the valedictory

Young Artist Program this past summer.

@gordonschool

Class Secretaries

address at graduation. She also received a 2014 National Merit Scholarship sponsored by the

Last spring at Lincoln School, Jamie Pine ’11

Quanex Foundation. Emily attends Rensselaer

was elected to be student council president.

Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York.

Her term began this fall. Jamie spent the last

She is enrolled in the five year bachelor of

school year as the student representative on

architecture program. Last spring she was

Lincoln’s Board of Trustees.

1997

annually awarded to the outstanding math and

Ezra Rice ’11 was elected co-president of

1998

science student in participating high schools.

Wheeler School for the 2014-2015 school

The award provides four or five years of merit-

year.

1987

Annie White Rob Glancy

the recipient of a Rensselaer Medal, which is

Merebea Danforth

1999

Georgia Mischak Nick Wall

based scholarship funding if the medal winner enrolls at Rensselaer.

Lily Maris ’12 spent the month of July in

2000

Shanghai, China studying Chinese at East Meghan Wales ’10 entered Tufts University

China Normal University. Lily is pictured

Isaiah Osofisan

this fall. She was engaged at Trinity Repertory

with the Shanghai skyline.

2001

photo 11

Rebecca Nelson

Company for her senior project at Wheeler last spring, and she was also involved there

At the Moses Brown Academic Awards

for community service projects for the past

Assembly last spring, Gordon alumni were

three years.

recognized in three different areas of study.

2002

Katja Nelson

2003

Andrew Binder ’13 for excellence in mathe-

Carlin O’Donnell

Sarah Chin ’11 was elected senior class

matics, Nick Buonanno ’13 for excellence in

president at Wheeler School. She started her

biology and Lucy Hamilton ’13 for excellence

service this fall.

in visual arts.

Jared Donaldson ’11 had an amazing year!

Drew Blanchard ’13, Jack Malkin ’14 and

It started with an all-expenses paid visit to

Andrew Dorman ’14 were selected to repre-

Dubai for three weeks to be Roger Federer’s

sent New England at the National Lacrosse

hitting partner. In the summer, Jared won three

Classic last spring. Andrew’s name also popped

consecutive professional tennis tournaments

up in one of Inside Lacrosse’s scouting reports.

photo 12

2004

Maggie Moran

2005

Liam Miner

2010

and was granted a wild card into the men’s

Emma Ruhl Charlotte Whalen Interested in becoming a class secretary and managing updates for your class?

main draw of the US Open. Jared played one

Madison Kelly ’13 will serve as the president

Email Mollie Mattuchio, Associate

of his favorite professional tennis players, Gael

of Lincoln’s tenth grade. She was elected for

Monfils from France, in an exciting match.

the position last spring by her classmates.

Development Director, at mma ttu ch i o @ g o rd o n school.or g for more information.

17

Teacher Residency Program

Alumni Notes

Carol Anguilla TRP ’11 (photo above) writes: “After graduating from the Gordon Teacher Residency Program in June of 2011, I was hired as a second grade classroom teacher at St. Michael’s Country Day School in Newport, Rhode Island. I was both thrilled and slightly terrified to be jumping into my own classroom.

There was so much to do and adjust to in that frenetic month of August. I had to quickly learn the curriculum, decorate my classroom, set up my files, my record-keeping and figure out the St. Michael’s way. Although I had a lot of learning to do, I knew I couldn’t have received any better preparation than I did through the Gordon Teacher Residency Program. In addition to the substantive knowledge I acquired, I learned to be reflective, flexible, open-minded and innovative. Of course, these first few years were not without their bumps, but then that’s where the reflective and flexible parts have been helpful. I loved second grade and always cherish the hugs and laughs I shared with my little ones.

The Teacher Residency Program is a full time, yearlong immersion program leading to a

After three years, I changed positions within

Master of Arts in Teaching degree and Rhode Island elementary teacher certification in first

the school to become the sixth, seventh and

through sixth grade.

eighth grade history teacher and I encountered those bumps all over again. Of course there are

Teaching residents work side by side with experienced teachers and take courses taught by

the relationship dramas, the moods, the high

the Gordon School and Roger Williams University School of Education faculty. The courses

pitched giggling and the questionable joking

are designed to integrate theory, research and practical experience grounded in multi-

around, but there are also the funny stories, the

cultural education and teaching for social justice. Students will spend their days at Gordon

heart-to-heart discussions, the deeper thinking

School in the classroom and take Roger Williams University courses in the evenings.

Admission to the Teacher Residency Program is limited. Cohorts are ten to twelve students to allow relationship building within the cohort, with faculty members and with the educational community at Gordon School. Personalized support and extensive classroom time encourage residents to ask questions, take risks, challenge one another’s thinking and connect theory with practice in a community that is multicultural, collaborative and inquiry-based.

The program is now accepting applications for the 2015-2016 cohort which begins June 2015! Please contact the Teacher Residency Program Director, Lynn Bowman, at lbowman@ gordonschool.org or 401 434-3833 x181 for more information.

and the meaningful dialogue that I’ve learned to treasure in the middle school. I have felt much of my learning at Gordon has been even better applied here in the middle school as we delve into questions of identity, we and they, choosing to participate, connections among people of the world and our connections to the past.

I always look back on my time at Gordon with very fond memories. I treasure the relationships I made with faculty, staff and parents. It is a special bond that I know I never would have found in any other program. In fact, just yesterday I ran into a parent whose son I taught

18

in third grade. She was at St. Michael’s for a

second grade Spanish teacher at Gordon.

in a hotel, and brought in to teach a lesson to a

soccer game between Gordon and St. Michael’s.

New this year is the Heritage Language

group of fourth graders. The lesson that I taught

She immediately came to me and was so happy

Program for first graders. The program caters

was probably a little more radical than they

to tell me all about her son and how happy he

to our Latino community and challenges

were used to, but I believe in my teaching

was at Gordon. We reminisced about our time

this particular group of kids with more verbal,

methods, and knew that I had an amazing

together there.

written and reading skills.”

lesson planned. Apparently those involved

I hope to always keep that strong tie with

Tracey Clarke TRP ’12 writes: “I have been

to a standing ovation from the students and an

Gordon and my friends there. I always feel

instructing in math and writing, in addition

eventual job offer from the school. I know that

welcome there. It’s like coming home.”

to writing grants, doing admission work and

I would not have been able to be as successful

writing curriculum at Rhode Island College

without the learning that I acquired from the

Outreach Programs for two years now.”

Teacher Residency Program. I use this learning

thought so too, because I left the classroom

Cameron Ross-MacCormack TRP ’11 is currently teaching second grade at Unquowa School in Fairfield, Connecticut.

each and every day. I now teach first grade Courtney DeAngelis-Thiele TRP ’12 writes:

and am thankful that my experience at Gordon

“I am still working at Wheeler and teaching

prepared me so well for what was to come.

Katie Cahoon TRP ’11 teaches sixth grade

Pre-Kindergarten and second grade math.

In fact, my school utilizes the dual teacher

math, science and humanities at Gordon.

I absolutely love it here! I have actually gone

concept that I had become so comfortable

She recently welcomed a baby girl.

back to Rhode Island College to get an early

with at Gordon.

childhood certification as well. As of January, Morgan Kerr TRP ’11 writes: “I received a grant

I will be certified in grades Pre-Kindergarten

I like to be involved in the school. I co-teach

from Maine Agriculture in the Classroom in

through sixth. I only had to take three

two after school singing enrichments, probably

order to start and maintain a school garden

additional classes because of the work I did

not a surprise to those who remember me

program for our school. We are going to use

at Gordon and the student teaching I did in

walking the halls, singing away, and recently

the funds to build a school garden and outdoor

second grade.”

led a professional development meeting based

classroom so that students can have more ac-

around the reading of Teaching Children to

cess to real life hands on learning experiences.

Mike Marnell TRP ’12 (photo above) writes:

Care. My family has quickly adjusted to life

My students have played a huge part in

“When I decided to go back to school to get

in South Florida. We enjoy going to the beach,

designing, planning and organizing the garden

my master’s degree, I couldn’t have imagined

swimming at the pool, riding bicycles, explor-

development as well as learn about sustainable

a better place for me to re-enter the world of

ing our many parks, camping and just taking

agriculture techniques that we can use in our

teaching than through the Gordon School. The

advantage of everything that our area has to

garden. It has been a lot of work, a ton of fun

professionalism of the teachers, the joy of the

offer. All in all, life is very good.

and incredibly rewarding to see the growth that

students, the support of my professors, and the

my students have gone through as learners over

passion from everyone involved was a wonder-

My family and I wish to thank all of those

the past year.

ful atmosphere to learn in and an experience

people involved with the Teacher Residency

that I will never forget.

Program for making our experience such a

It has been great to get this project rolling as

magical one.”

four other teachers have jumped on board

After graduating from the TRP, I began teaching

because of their wish to provide more real life

on Cape Cod, and had quickly acquired a long

Anna Burnham ’02 TRP ’13 writes: “I am work-

learning experiences for their students in our

term substitute position at a public school in

ing at Bay View Academy. I am the third grade

standard driven curriculum. We have been

Yarmouth, Massachusetts. The position, which

teacher! This is my first year teaching at Bay

planning together to find ways to make it easier

was in a fifth grade classroom, lasted from

View and I absolutely love it! The Teacher

for ourselves and other teachers to link the

November through the end of the year and

Residency Program has helped me in so many

common core standards into these hands on

eventually ended with an offer to come back

ways. I have a critical eye when it comes to

experiences.”

full-time the following year. Fate had other

inclusion and exclusion of multicultural prac-

plans for me, however. During the year I had

tice. What was eye opening for me after the

Iveth Streisand TRP ’11 writes: “This is my

been contacted by Saint Andrew’s School in

program was the reality that for most schools

second year as the Kindergarten through

Boca Raton, Florida. I was flown down, put up

multicultural practice isn’t even a thought. I

19

subbed in countless schools all over Rhode

Gianel Santana TRP ’13 writes: “I took a job

their literacy work and getting trained in

Island my first year after the program and I

at Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy.

reading street which is the curriculum they

couldn’t believe the exclusion of everything I

I am currently teaching Kindergarten and I

are using. Very exciting.”

value as best practice. I can remember subbing

absolutely love it! This class of twenty-seven

once and I was teaching a lesson on Christopher

scholars is certainly keeping me on my toes, as

Ashleigh Stackpoole TRP ’14 writes: “I am

Columbus, but these students had been taught

well as learning the ways of Blackstone Valley

working at the John K. Tarbox School in Law-

the week before that he was a hero. When I

Prep. I am putting a lot, if not all, of what I

rence, Massachusetts. We are a public school

asked them to consider the perspective of the

have learned into practice as well as learning

serving grades one through five. I have twenty-

Native people they were at a loss for words.

so much more from such a supportive school

six students in my class; two students just moved

What I truly love most about having my own

community.”

to America over the summer, and one student

classroom is that I can continue to grow in my

who moved to America last year. These students

ability to teach a multicultural curriculum. I

Claire Newbury TRP ’13 writes: “I’m teaching

are considered “newcomers”, meaning they

don’t have free range, of course, but the litera-

kindergarten at Rocky Hill School and loving

are new to the English language. The student

ture I choose, posters I put up and the way in

it. I feel incredibly supported by the adminis-

demographic is 98% Latino, with many of my

which I teach are all my own. I could go on

tration and my colleagues. I’m learning and

students coming from Spanish speaking homes.

and on but in a nutshell I am incredibly grate-

collaborating with specialists every day, and

Our school is driven on assessment and we

ful to have been pushed and challenged to

it’s amazing.”

work with The Achievement Network, requiring

think like a multicultural educator. It truly is the kind of teacher I strive to be.”

our students to take assessments throughout the Jacqui Denault TRP ’14 writes: “Throughout

year to prepare them for the Massachusetts

the month of August I taught incoming fourth

Comprehensive Assessment System test in the

Kristy Castro ’01 TRP ’13 is at Stuart Hall

graders at Blackstone Vally Prep Mayoral

spring. Despite the challenges as a first year

School for Boys in San Francisco, California

Academy in English Language Arts and Math.

teacher, I am extremely honored to have the

teaching fourth grade. Before Stuart Hall, she

Currently, I am teaching first grade at Myron J.

opportunity to work with twenty-six amazing

was in Washington, DC teaching at Bishop

Francis Elementary School in East Providence,

students. They teach me something new every

Walker School for Boys.

which is part of the East Providence public

day. As a new teacher, I am just trying to con-

school system.”

tinue doing the work I believe in, which is to

Aurora Culpo TRP ’13 writes: “I live in San

help my students recognize their own voices

Francisco, which in my opinion is the greatest

Meagan Hughes TRP ’14 is teaching fifth grade

and power as individuals within the above

city in the country, and commute 45 minutes

at John Avery Parker School in New Bedford,

mentioned school foundation.”

to Helios School for gifted children in Sunny-

MA.

vale, California. It’s a school geared toward

Lyndsey Ursillo TRP ’14 writes: “I am currently

“gifted” students. What they all have in common

Claudia Traub TRP ’14 writes: “I am a third

a day to day sub at The Learning Community

is asynchronous development and heightened

grade teacher at Carlos Pacheco School.

that serves Central Falls, Pawtucket and Provi-

sensitivity. It’s almost as if within each child

Meagan Hughes TRP ’14 and I have met

dence, Rhode Island. They have a really nice

is a person of several different ages. They can

and spoken a few times and will continue to

system where I come every single day even

be extremely advanced in certain ways and

brainstorm, which is super cool. I have thirty

if I am not covering a class and I get to sit in

completely deficient in other ways. I co-teach

students in my class, most of them are English

classes and observe. Therefore, I am getting

first grade. All the faculty members are really

Language Learners (ELL) so I will have my work

to see a wide range of grades (Kindergarten

conscious, open, kind people. It’s a great place

cut out, but I am super excited. I have spent

through eighth) and classes. Also I got engaged

to work.”

the week thinking of ways to make literacy a

in September so I’m psyched about that! I’m

place the students want to be. I set up a library

already planning the wedding for next August.”

Leah Dembinski TRP ’13 recently got a job as

with my own and donated books with music

an interim art teacher at Excel Academy in East

and lighting and chairs, so that reading is

Kelly Zilly TRP ’14 writes: “I recently moved

Boston, Massachusetts.

enjoyable. I am still searching for more books

Greenwich, Connecticut where I am a full time

that provide mirrors to these specific kids. I am

nanny for a family with three children, and I’m

designing stations so that they have choice in

pursuing Orton-Gillingham certification.”

20

2014-2015

The GORDON Fund

Choose the program that fits

The Gordon Fund is a way for everyone who cares about

Gordon wants to direct your gift to the programs

Gordon to join together and enhance the school experience for every student. This is a new way of giving, rooted in supporting

that matter to you! Consider the ten program areas

programs and projects that benefit Gordon students today.

below which comprise the 2014-2015 Gordon Fund.

Your gift makes a tangible statement about what Gordon means to you.

CLASSROOM TEC H NOLOGY

Financial aid

Lessons that use iPads will be introduced in

Supporting students and families will ensure that

Lower School, building on the current program

Gordon meets the enrollment goals of balanced

in Kindergarten. Robotics will be integrated

gender, increased racial diversity, and talented

throughout the Middle School science

and motivated students who are poised to

curriculum and white board technology will

achieve academic success.

continue to enhance classroom teaching.

Curriculum innovation Joukowsky Family Library

Through an innovation grant program, faculty

The Joukowsky Family Library will support

will work across disciplines and divisions

learning through its 17,000 volume

on curriculum projects. Faculty will be invited

collection, research database resources,

to submit proposals to study, craft and

ebook options and technology.

implement curriculum enhancements.

M at h e d u c at i o n

The Math in Focus curriculum continues to be a place of investment. This year, a new math specialist position will be in place to work with faculty members to further develop teaching instruction.

Campus improvements

Gordon is committed to providing the continued beautification of the campus including twelve acres of land, a pond and stream, three playgrounds and nature trails.

Visual and performing arts

Student citizenship

Gordon’s new state of the art theater and

Continuing the Open Circle social curriculum

music classrooms will provide additional

in Early Childhood and Lower School, and

avenues to inspire personal creativity

introducing Developmental Designs in Middle

and individual expression through a variety

School, Gordon will invest in the social,

of exhibits and student performances.

emotional and academic growth of its students.

Athletics

Sustaining Gordon

Gordon will continue its commitment to a

Approximately $740 per student is needed to

positive athletic experience with a focus on

ensure that Gordon is excelling in every area

skill development, sportsmanship, empathy,

and meeting budgeted needs. A gift to sustain

communication, winning and losing with

Gordon allows you to make a tax-deductible

integrity and healthy risk-taking.

gift while supporting lower tuition increases.

How you can make a gift: Go to www.gordonschool.org/give or send a check made out to Gordon School in the enclosed envelope.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

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