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FOLLOWING OUR TEACHING FELLOWS IN THE WORLD TODAY
Trailblazers in Education
Read about a few of our former teaching fellows who continue to make a meaningful impact in the field of education.
BRITTANY COMO
Fellowship Class of 2020 - 2022
Current Job Title: Director of High School Placement and Support at Nativity Worcester
WHERE ARE YOU WORKING NOW?
I am currently the Director of High School Placement and Support at NSW. I think that my degree and licensure as a School Counselor, coupled with the fact that I taught each Nativity Worcester alumni who is currently in high school, have given me a unique perspective to take on this role for our students.
WHAT SKILLS OR EXPERIENCES DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM?
The skill I especially honed to take with me after the fellowship was how to work collaboratively with others. At Nativity, you rely on others to stay afloat. At times, the workload becomes overwhelming, and you need to delegate or ask people for help. Before this position, I had not known how to do this. I had also never been able to rely on a group of people who were dedicated to living out the same mission and upholding the same expectations for both themselves and the people they served. I was able to do so and learn valuable lessons that year, which allowed me to get through a particularly heavy workload and class-load.
BOWEN LEE
Fellowship Class of 2017-2019
Current Job Title: Dean of Student Culture at Paul Cuffee Upper School
HOW DID THE FELLOWSHIP INFLUENCE THE YEARS FOLLOWING YOUR GRADUATION?
I chose to join the Nativity Fellowship Program because I wanted to work and live in the City of Worcester after graduating from Holy Cross. I did not join with the intent of being a teacher. However, I had two very formative, yet different, teaching mentors in my first year and they both showed me the joy and challenge that can come from a career in the classroom. Ms. Torres and Mr. Dillon taught me skills and lessons that still inform my practice today.
WHAT IS SOME ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO PROSPECTIVE FELLOWSHIP CANDIDATES?
Say yes to as many opportunities as possible. Trust your mentors to challenge you and push you outside of your comfort zone. Build strong partnerships with students’ caregivers. Do the dishes and keep the bathroom clean. Find as many opportunities as possible to integrate lessons and projects from grad school into your classroom. Keep your grad school professors and mentors informed on (and invited to) the events that happen at Nativity. Keep the vans clean.
ERIN BROSNIHAN
Fellowship Class of 2016 - 2018
Current Job Title: 4th Grade Social Studies and Science Teacher at Learning First Charter School
HOW ARE YOU CURRENTLY INVOLVED AT NATIVITY?
It has been such a joy to be back in the Nativity community and get to watch the school continue to grow. When I was a fellow, Andrea and I always talked about how amazing it would be for a girls’ school to open, so it was really special getting to work alongside her as that dream became a reality this summer. My role as the Community Support Coordinator has allowed me to get to work closely with the fellows and support them throughout their fellowship journey. It has given me a number of opportunities to reflect on my own time in the fellowship and remember how impactful of a time it was for me.
WHAT SKILLS OR EXPERIENCES DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM?
Something that I took away from the fellowship is the importance of seeing and supporting the kids as people, not just as students. The fellowship program allowed me to work with the students not only inside the classroom, but also on the court, at community service opportunities, at fundraising events, and countless other moments. This made me want to support my future students’ growth as not just students, but also people.
YACHIRA TORRES
Fellowship Class of 2010 - 2012
Current Job Title: Byrne Scholar Teacher Mentor at the Salesianum School
HOW DID THE FELLOWSHIP INFLUENCE THE YEARS FOLLOWING YOUR GRADUATION?
During my time at NSW, I was able to lay the foundation for my professional career. I was 6th Grade Lead Teacher, 8th Grade Lead Teacher, PTA Liaison, Community Service Coordinator, Coordinator of the Youth Philanthropy Initiative during the Summer Program, ran the Cooking Club, served on the Mission and Identity Committee, and had countless other responsibilities. Plus, I somehow convinced Mr. Dillon to let me teach a Spanish class for the Native Speakers in the Mayer Class my first year, which was a wonderful opportunity to develop the curriculum. Each one of those opportunities offered invaluable experience to work with students, faculty, staff, families, donors, and various other constituents.
I was required to become organized and diligent to plan classes, meetings, and events. I sparked my creativity and ingenuity to create meaningful and engaging lessons for antsy, curious students. I was able to partner with local organizations that were close to my heart and supported my family and friends through difficult times and, in turn, I was able to become a source of support and encouragement to those who needed me. Each role gave me a chance to get to know and appreciate all the people whose lives were touched by that special place and carry them with me to all the places that followed. I learned what it meant to be a good friend, teacher, employee, coworker, supervisor, support person, and, most importantly, how to see God in all things beautiful, sad, hurtful, and healing. Helping raise all of those boys also prepared me to become the mother I am to my wonderful son.
