Excellence in Teaching

EXCELLENCE IN

TEACHING The Episcopal Academy

EPISCOPAL ACADEMY

THE E P IS CO PAL ACAD E M Y M IS S IO N:

“Challenging and nurturing Mind, Body, and Spirit, we inspire boys and girls to lead lives of purpose, faith, and integrity.”

Within the Classroom WE CHALLENGE BY:

• Setting and holding high and meaningful standards that recognize every student can be a creative problem solver and innovative thinker.

• Expecting all students to thrive in an atmosphere open to questions, exploration, and experimentation.

• Establishing a safe and inviting environment where risk-taking is the norm and mistake-making is an important part of the learning process.

• Creating accurate and valid formative and summative assessments that illustrate the application of the subject in a meaningful way and provide individualized feedback for student growth.

• Leveraging relationships with students to stretch them into realms of thought and achievement of which they will be proud.

WE NURTURE BY:

• Developing an excellent rapport with every student in order to provide academic, social, and emotional support.

• Celebrating the importance of cultural diversity, displaying interpersonal awareness and sensitivity, and mastering skills that reflect culturally responsive teaching.

• Promoting collaboration, integrity, open-mindedness, and respect in a diverse field of student opinions and experiences.

• Crafting thoughtfully differentiated lessons and employing a variety of traditional and innovative methods of instruction.

• Helping each student find the critical balance between the demands of academic achievement and social and emotional development.

• Communicating, thoughtfully and respectfully, academic and behavioral expectations clearly and often.

• Instilling the expectation of mutual responsibility and advocacy between teacher and student so every child reaches his or her potential.

WE INSPIRE BY:

• Teaching with heartfelt devotion that encourages excitement, curiosity, and wonder.

• Modeling impassioned life-long learning, intellectual risk-taking, creative discovery, and profound empathy.

• Possessing and displaying tremendous intellect and expert knowledge so that the most complex of issues become accessible to all students • Provoking deep thought, encouraging insightful conversations, and celebrating discoveries that heighten the thirst for limitless learning.

• Utilizing student-driven instruction and meaningful applications to create a dynamic, engaging, indelible learning experience.

• Integrating topics across multiple disciplines so that clear, authentic connections are made.

As Episcopal Academy educators, we are committed to excellence in all aspects of teaching. We recognize that our pursuit of excellence is paramount to the success of our students and that collaborative efforts among teachers are essential to this pursuit. Through our shared vision, we strive to fulfill the school’s mission and to inspire all EA community members to realize their full potential.

Beyond the Classroom WE CHALLENGE BY:

• Advancing the school in its mission through committee work, special projects, and sharing best practices.

• Supporting, enthusiastically, participation and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service, and spiritual practices.

• Embracing leadership opportunities beyond the school community; in professional, educational, and community-based organizations.

• Collaborating with colleagues in order to deliver expert lessons and meaningful, student-centered experiences.

• Uncovering the latest developments in the field of education and presenting them for community consideration.

WE NURTURE BY:

• Knowing our students so that we may support their emotional needs, encourage them to be their very best, and cheer them on in all of their endeavors.

• Expressing respect, appreciation, trust, and empathy toward all members of the EA community.

• Sharing joy in all aspects of student interest: academics, athletics, the arts, and community service.

• Serving as dedicated and caring advisors who are approachable and available.

• Promoting, by example, the balanced development of mind, body, and spirit.

• Showing through both positive actions and clear, open communications that we are all members of a larger team, with the best interests of all students in mind.

WE INSPIRE BY:

• Respecting all individuals and valuing the rich and vibrant differences that exist among us.

• Engaging enthusiastically in extracurricular and social activities.

• Exhibiting a lasting interest in areas beyond our primary fields of expertise.

• Reflecting on our performance and contributions honestly and frequently in order to better serve our students and larger community.

• Modeling professionalism at all times, both on and off campus, and holding ourselves and others to a high moral standard.

• Living the Stripes: Self-Control, Faith, Honesty, Courtesy, Kindness, Generosity, Gratitude, Courage, Respect, and Sportsmanship.

EPISCOPAL ACADEMY

THE EPI SCO PA L A CA D E M Y An independent, preK-12, co-educational day school in Newtown Square, PA. www.episcopalacademy.org