Spring 2025 Miss Porter's School Bulletin

Engaging students in future-forward education

At Miss Porter’s School, educators strive to help students build vital life and career skills, including problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration. Mathematics Department Chair J. Hur-shiu Webb says these abilities are essential for students to effectively maneuver and excel in our increasingly high-tech world.

“These skills are crucial as we move into an increasingly digitized and globalized world where algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) are making decisions and there is a wealth of information not all of it accurate at everyone’s fingertips,” says Webb, who this year is teaching the Precalculus, Advanced Interdisciplinary Seminar (AIS) Calculus 1, AIS Calculus 2 and Geometry courses.

“Rather than prioritizing discrete mathematical skills, we prioritize the broader skills we want them to hold on to forever,” Webb says. “Problem-solving, constructing an argument with relevant and concrete evidence, and working with others are timeless skills.”

These evergreen abilities are also emphasized by Science and Technology Department Chair Mary Jo “MJ” Moulton, who this year is teaching Conceptual Physics, General Biology, Anatomy & Physiology and AIS Biology.

Moulton focuses on building students’ science communication and literacy skills by ensuring they understand how scientific knowledge is created, how to support their scientific discoveries with evidence, and how to articulate their findings clearly and concisely.

“We want them to be strong critical thinkers who can question both what they read and the stakeholders that are inherently a part of science and innovation,” says Moulton, who last year was honored with the Sarah Porter Excellence in Teaching Award.