9 minute read
The Changing Landscape of Education
From changes to the way students are learning to an evolution of the spaces in which they are doing so, the landscape of education at John Carroll is rapidly shifting to leverage new and exciting opportunities.
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When the new coronavirus exploded on to the scene in early 2020, the day-to-day world as we knew it was upended almost overnight, leaving all of us to figure out the “new normal” during this “great pivot”— just two of the many new phrases, along with “social distancing” and “flattening the curve,” that would saturate our vocabulary. Thanks to technology already in place, The John Carroll School was positioned to manage this pivot seamlessly. Using existing online learning platforms and the school’s one-to-one laptop program, the faculty, staff and students were able to remain in daily contact to ensure the high caliber of education continued without interruption.
As Principal Tom Durkin described it, “We closed school on Friday, March 13, and we shifted to distance learning on Monday, March 16. I have come to realize that I work with angels. With two and a half hours of professional development under their belts, our teachers, without missing a beat, continued to provide a John Carroll education for all our students…It takes a group of special people who passionately care about their students, who passionately care about their subject matters and job responsibilities, and who passionately care about their co-workers to perform this miraculous pivot. Yes, I am blessed because I work with angels at The John Carroll School.”
STUDENT AND FACULTY PERSPECTIVE
“Distance learning,” another previously unfamiliar phrase, soon became a daily expression and discussion. As an institution, The John Carroll School had to decide how that would work. Would it be synchronous, asynchronous or a combination of the two? How would grading work? Would AP exams still occur? There were more questions than there were answers, and the situation changed seemingly daily. The decision ultimately included a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning, and each teacher got creative with how he or she implemented this in the new platform. Mrs. Kelly Roiy, Program Director for the St. Joseph Program says, “The magic of teaching happens in the classroom, and on Day 1 of distance learning, I felt like a rookie teacher nervously awaiting my students, hoping to recreate some of that same magic through a computer screen.” Dr. Julie Baker, Science Department Chair and current parent, echoes this sentiment: “The first week of online learning at home was to me somewhat like my first year of teaching — trying to set up a new system to organize my work… and learning new ways to present material and get students involved with a lesson.”
Faculty and students quickly adapted, however, proving that they could work within any situation that arose. The a cappella group Bella Voce virtually created beautiful harmonies, our College Preparatory Dance Program students performed in their backyards, The Patriot staff and students worked diligently to compile an informative online paper for our community, our artists created at home, and experiments and thoughtful discussions took place in every class. Learning continued.
MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT TODAY Before this past school year had even ended, a Task Force for Reopening School for 2020 – 2021, headed by Principal Tom Durkin and Director of Athletics Seth Goldberg, was already hard at work, making plans for every possible scenario to ensure our students could return to school safely. After consulting with medical and educational experts, families, school systems, the Association of Independent Maryland Schools and the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the Task Force presented a comprehensive plan for reopening in a variety of scenarios, including complete distance learning, a full return-to-school and a hybrid of the two. The plan for reopening included aspects of academics, extracurriculars, athletics, safety and security, as well as physical and mental health and well-being. A reopening One of the new cameras and soundbars installed in every
classroom this summer website page housed the latest information while a series of videos were sent to all Patriot families to keep them informed, with the top priority always being the safety and well-being of students, faculty and staff.
The school’s Facilities team had anything but a quiet summer, as they worked diligently to make numerous upgrades to support the Reopening Plan, from installing hand sanitizer stations, signage, plexiglass partitions and floor markers to updating the Health Suite, removing desks and rearranging seating to accommodate safe physical distancing. Thanks to the generous support of donors Pat and Keith Campbell, relatives of Ryan Mosier ’24, cameras and soundbars were installed in every classroom so that students unable to attend class in person could participate online in live simulcast classes.
DISTANCE LEARNING ADVISOR
Dr. Toni Ungaretti P’89 G’22
To further enhance distance learning, John Carroll brought in an expert in the subject area, former Trustee Dr. Toni Ungaretti P’89 G’22, as the school’s Distance Learning Advisor. A successful and highly-respected educator, Dr. Ungaretti is an assistant professor in the Johns Hopkins School of Education where she has implemented the Master of Education for the Health Professions program. Previously, she served as the assistant dean for the Office of Learning at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, as associate dean and co-director of the Division of Business and Undergraduate Studies in the School of Professional Studies in Business and Education, and as chair of the Department of Teacher Development and Leadership. She developed the Master of Science in Math Science Education, designed the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program, and established some of the first professional development schools in the nation. Her extensive experience will be invaluable in establishing distance learning practices that translate to online courses our students are certain to take in college and as they go on to enter the workforce, preparing them to be successful in this model for years to come.
1COURTYARD
2LEARNING COMMONS 4 NEW WINDOWS
5INNOVATION CENTER
6FRONT OVAL
While distance learning is sure to remain in some way moving forward, at its heart John Carroll is a community, and that community needs a place to call home. As excited as students are to physically return to the school they love, it’s even more exciting to welcome them back to a campus that is even better than when they left!
While summer is always a time to make improvements to the school buildings and grounds, the unexpected opportunity of a building that was vacant for an extended period, coupled with the generosity of many loyal supporters, afforded additional opportunities to take on more large-scale and significant projects in the summer of 2020. Thanks to this, students returned to find notable enhancements, including:
A fully renovated and accessible Courtyard, located at the center of our school as part of the intent of the school’s original architects, who wanted to ensure that John Carroll students saw beauty and nature every day. Renovations included removal of deteriorating asphalt which was replaced with gorgeous bluestone, updated landscaping, and the addition of a permanent grill station to facilitate courtyard cookouts and gatherings.
A new and improved Learning Commons that reflects the school’s college preparatory focus and mirrors spaces on college campuses by providing students with individual and collaborative work stations, comfortable space for relaxation and a stunning view of the outside Courtyard.
An updated multi-purpose Brown Room, featuring new manufactured wood floors which add aesthetic appeal, durability and easy maintenance. This updated room is used daily by our faculty, students, prospective families and guests.
A beautifully refinished Upper Gym floor.
New windows throughout the second floor, as part of a three-year plan to replace all the windows in the school.
Air conditioning in the Performing Arts hallway, Band Room and Chorus Room, by generous donation from the John Carroll Parent Association.
A newly renovated and designated “Innovation Center,” comprised of the former STEAM Laboratory and the adjacent classroom which was made into one larger room to house our STEAM Academy, Computing Academy, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and more.
A newly repaved front oval with clear directional lettering.
A modern College Center space that prominently displays a photo of the Sisters of St. Joseph, who played a vital part in John Carroll’s early years. Looking ahead, additional spaces are scheduled for updates including the Science Wing and baseball field. To learn more about these and other future plans, contact Director of Advancement Susan Roarty at sroarty@johncarroll.org.
These projects were able to come to fruition thanks to the support of alumni and parent owned businesses:
Benfield Electric
Carpets by Denny Lee
Good News Electric
Ivy Hill Landscaping
Vision Contract, Inc.
In addition to the businesses listed above, we would like to extend a special thanks to the Kutcher Family, Jason Zarzycki P ’24 and Dick Streett, V.M.D. P’88, GP ’24 for their contributions to these projects.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?
The pandemic has forced us all to adjust and to analyze the efficacy of our current landscape. As a result, our students are poised and prepared for their future in college and in the workforce. Assistant Principal Jake Hollin ’92 relays, “Now, as we look towards the future, we are looking for new ways to continue to engage our students and challenge them to be part of discovering and building the future…We are dedicated to providing learning opportunities in a safe and supportive environment...While these are unprecedented and often uncertain times, I am confident in sharing that the heart of our community remains strong. Now more than ever, it is a great time to be a Patriot as we march into the future together and prepare tomorrow’s leaders today.”
Mrs. Courtney Westermeyer P’22 is excited to see the newly renovated spaces be utilized, stating, “The leadership of the school continues to show commitment and vision to provide the best opportunity and environment for our kids, even during the most challenging times. We are so excited to support the many changes JC is making to modernize and functionalize several key areas of the school. We know these improvements will offer the students and teachers the tools for great success! Our family feels blessed to be part of the JC community.”
As we look forward with anticipation to the time when we can all reenter the building and be physically together, we take solace in our deep bond as a Patriot community. Reflecting on this, Mrs. Roiy states, “The solidarity I feel for being part of the John Carroll school community is immense. COVID-19 has woven a universal thread through our hearts; everyone, in one way or another, has been affected. Together we are moving forward, never losing heart or hope. I have faith that we will come out of this stronger, wiser, and kinder than before. And when we all walk the halls of JC again, my eyes will fill with tears, but this time with joy.”
