BM: What inspires you? OB: Every day, I am inspired by the teachers and professionals that I work with. Each individual is truly a master of his or her craft and I thrive being part of such a collaborative community where you are recognized for the unique gifts you contribute. I am humbled by the overwhelming commitment and dedication of the people I am surrounded by. I am also inspired by my students and feel so fulfilled when I am able to help them recognize and capitalize upon their strengths. As a teacher, it is the “little things” that mean the most: a smile when a student gets a problem right, a look of pride when hard work pays off, or seeing a student’s increased motivation to go above and beyond.
FOR AS LONG as she can remember, Olympia Shields Bishop has wanted to be an educator. Even as early as middle school, she served as a peer tutor, helped the children of family friends complete their summer math packets, and volunteered as a homework helper at the local Boys and Girls Club. During the summers, she worked at a camp for children with emotional and behavioral disorders where she learned to acknowledge and appreciate what makes each child unique. She eventually enrolled at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody School of Education and graduated with a master’s in special education and child development. After enjoying various roles as an educator in both New York and Boston over 12 years, she eventually joined Palm Beach Day Adacemy (PBDA) in 2015 as a math teacher. She currently serves as the Math Department Chair and teaches Middle School Mathematics on the Upper Campus. Brooke Murray: How did you land at Palm Beach Day Academy? Olympia Bishop: I attended Palm Beach Day School and graduated from ninth grade in 1997. My two math teachers at PBDA, Mrs. Barbara Close and Mrs. Tina Barbieri, are a large part of why I became a teacher. I remember saying when I was younger, “I want to be Mrs. Close when I grow up.” And to this day, I credit Mrs. Barbieri for seeing something in me and moving me to a challenging math class in the middle of sixth grade, an event that truly changed how I thought of myself and shifted the trajectory of my life. Thus, when the opportunity arose for me to come back and teach at my alma mater, I jumped at the chance to return to these hallways and work with my two former teachers. PBDA has always had a special place in my heart and being part of this community has been a gift. I can’t imagine being anywhere else. 122 QUEST
Clockwise from top left: Olympia Bishop on the steps of Palm Beach Day Academy; Olympia teaching; students during class; PBDA’s logo.
C O U R TE S Y OF PAL M B EAC H DAY AC ADE M Y
OLYMPIA SHIELDS BISHOP
Palm Beach Day Academy
BM: How can our readers help support the organization? OB: The culture at PBDA is a philanthropic one. This starts with our students as community service and giving back to others are an integral part of our curriculum starting at a young age. We teach our students to “work hard and be kind” every day both inside our classroom walls and within the broader community. Those who support PBDA and its mission are helping me and my colleagues to continue to cultivate compassionate leaders that will one day change lives. To learn more about how to support Palm Beach Day Academy and its Second Century Campaign, visit pbday.org/secondcentury-campaign.