4 minute read
Focus on Faculty
New Faculty Departments Enhance Student Learning
The start of the 2021-22 school year brought some exciting new opportunities for collaboration and consistency across our program as Seven Hills restructured and formalized four departments on campus: K-8 Arts, ECE-8 Student Services, ECE-8 Environmental Stewardship, and ECE-8 Technology and Library Sciences. These restructured departments were a partnership between classroom teachers, specialty teachers, and members of the administrative leadership team for added support. This team approach broke down barriers to reveal the true scope and sequence of the student journey at Seven Hills. For example, the historical path of the arts program exposed students to studio art and music in Lower School before transitioning into expressive arts in Middle School. The new integrated K-8 Arts program brought a fresh new rotating schedule, with students shifting their disciplines between music, visual arts, digital arts, and theater arts each quarter—allowing them to expand their minds, discover new passions, and reap the mental benefits of different kinds of art. With the opportunity to work with the oldest and youngest students in core courses, teachers also got the chance to work with students in grade levels or divisions they hadn’t before. Adrienne Timmons, music teacher and academic lead for the arts department, said: “As we became more collaborative as faculty, we were able to really see the student experience as a whole rather than specific to one class. As we adopted our new multidimensional approach, we saw our students, especially those who may have had preconceived notions of the arts, build confidence and see how they could have success as an artist. They became well-rounded students and we became better teachers.” This sort of student and professional growth supports the continued investment in faculty collaboration and departments. From a formalized Student Services team developing care plans that support students’ needs over time, to an Environmental Stewardship team that inspires sustainability starting with our youngest Rainbow learners, to Technology and Library Sciences that promote the responsible use of information—this integrated approach will create a spiral of deeper thinking for students and greater continuity of learning throughout the Seven Hills journey.
7 Years
Kellen Bothwell Sammy Buono Veena Lohia Kathleen McNamara Heidi Plumb Generra Rocchi
14 Years
Kim Hughes
21 years
Tina Ory Matt Shargel
28 years
Kirsten Woods
“The opportunity to partner with so many amazing young people, their supportive families, and my talented and dedicated colleagues is what makes this place so
special. I’m looking forward to the next 28 years!” – Kirsten Woods
FOCUS ON FACULTY
New Leaders Join the Seven Hills Team
Seven Hills is excited to begin the 2022-23 school year with three new administrators: Jennifer Arnest, Tanner Ragland, and Victor Llanque Zonta. They are eager to get to know our students, faculty, and families after joining the leadership team over the summer. They are all experts in their fields with eyes on current research and trends and will partner with our innovative educators to enhance the student experience at every turn. Welcome to our campus and community!
Jennifer Arnest, a seasoned educator with more than 25 years of experience in independent schools, has taken the helm as Seven Hills’ next Head of Lower School. Her background in a Quaker school shaped her commitment to an education that balances both tradition and innovation, is rooted in thoughtful pedagogy, and is centered on child development and community values. Jennifer comes to Seven Hills from San Francisco Friends School, where she was the founding Lower School Head from 2008-2022. Prior to educational leadership, Jennifer was a Kindergarten and 1st grade teacher at Mills College Children’s School in Oakland and a 1st grade teacher at The Nueva School in Hillsborough. Tanner Ragland has joined the administration as the Assistant Head of School for Finance and Operations. Having worn many hats with an education and startup background, Tanner brings a wealth of knowledge in managing and creating alignment across education teams including operations, finance, admissions, human resources, marketing and communications, and technology. He comes to Seven Hills from Milken Community Schools in Los Angeles where he was the Chief Operating Officer. Tanner has also worked directly with students as a director of technology, history and computer science teacher, and volleyball coach.
Dr. Victor Llanque Zonta
is our new Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning. Victor partners closely with Seven Hills teachers and administrators to promote excellence in teaching and learning through curricular integration, inquiry-based learning design, and instructional coaching. He also spearheads our professional development program with Jase Turner, Assistant Head of School for Strategic Priorities. Victor’s leadership experience includes 14 years at Greens Farms Academy in Westport, CT, most recently as Associate Head of School. Victor was raised in Bolivia and is passionate about instilling a world perspective into education.
Campus Guests
Jason Reynolds
Middle School Visiting Author, Parent Lecture Series speaker, “Talking to Kids about Race”
Michael Thompson
Parent Lecture Series speaker, “The Pressured Child During the COVID Era”
George Brown
Middle School Guest Educator, Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD)
Natasha Singh
Middle School Guest Educator, Puberty and Sexual Literacy
