An Early-Childhood Educator with Impact Across the School
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indergarten teacher Semeka Smith-Williams is “one of the first people to step up to volunteer to take on a challenging assignment or responsibility,” said Head of School Bruce L. Dennis, as he presented her with the Parent Association Excellence in Teaching Chair for 2015-16 at a general faculty meeting in the Packer Chapel.
Semeka SmithWilliams with her charges (the Kindergarten Whales) and their charges (newlyhatched chicks)
The annual award acknowledges and celebrates the professional achievements of Packer’s master teachers who demonstrate consistent excellence through their ability to inspire and educate Packer students. Dr. Dennis praised Ms. Smith-Williams for her “skilled and highly effective” classroom teaching during her nine years at Packer. A 1997 graduate of Wesleyan University, she earned her Masters at Bank Street College, then taught at the Summerbridge Program, Manhattan Country School, and the Community Partnership Charter School.
Farewell to a Fantastic Four A former lawyer, Barbara Moore taught at many grade levels during her 26 years at Packer, including 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, and 6th Grade. She also oversaw Model Congress. “Barbara has trained hundreds of Middle School students to speak in Chapel, honed their presentation skills, and made them more effective speakers among their peers,” said Dr. Dennis, naming just a few ways in which she leaves her mark. Jacque Jones, the Database Manager in the Development Office and former Assistant Director of Development, is retiring after 21 years. “Jacque has been the quintessential behind-the-scenes person who makes
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The selection committee also recognized Ms. SmithWilliams’s service as the co-leader of Packer’s mentor-teacher program and for her role as the Lower School Diversity Coordinator. An active member of the NYSAIS Diversity Committee for the past three years, Ms. Smith-Williams’s impact is felt across the state as well. Calling her “a true force in the larger independent school community,” Dr. Dennis recognized her contributions beyond Packer’s walls. This year, she has presented at a NYSAIS conference (on expanding early childhood curriculum to include diversity) and at a diversity conference for early-childhood educators (on integrating diversity into “emergent” units, i.e., explorations of topics in which the students have collectively shown interest). “She is among the most respected teacher voices promoting equity, justice, and inclusive practice in our entire city,” said Dr. Dennis. Ms. Smith-Williams is the ninth recipient of the award, which was established ten years ago with a $150,000 endowment gift to the School from the Packer Parent Association. “The outpouring of love, encouraging words, and support has been gratifying,” she wrote in an email to the community in the days after the announcement. Ms. Smith-Williams’s teaching style reflects her conviction that learning in younger students is constant. “Everything is a learning experience. There is something to be gained from every interaction, story, trip, activity,” she says. Teachers of young learners must therefore “appreciate the unpredictable. You won’t have the answers to everything.” Her students’ insatiable interests energize her. “In place of judgment, Kindergartners have curiosity. That’s what makes teaching Kindergarten so much fun.”
retirement, however: his wife, Chris Rush, remains a Lower School librarian. everything work, a great friend to Packer Temmo Figueroa, Packer’s and an unsung hero,” said Dr. Dennis. night maintenance foreman, Retirement will allow Jacque, president of is retiring after 15 years of the Hymn Society of the U.S. and Canada, nightly restoration of the more time to devote to that work. building to prepare for the Another departing teacher, one who next school day. At a party in seems part of the fiber of the School, is his honor, faculty and staff offered visual arts teacher Ken Rush. “A praccountless examples of times they relied ticing and very talented artist himself, on him to save an event from Ken has served as a role model, mendisaster — or to offer them tor, and educator to two generations of investment tips! Not only an younger artists,” said Dr. Dennis. During expert mechanic, carpenter, his 37 years at Packer, Ken not only and plumber, Temmo is also inspired countless art students but also a skilled real estate investor. served as historian and guardian of the He plans to relocate to Port School’s art and architecture. Ken will St. Lucie, FL, where he recently not venture too far from Packer in his purchased a retirement property.