Growth Mindset Explored at the Lower School If you believe that intelligence and ability are not fixed, but can be developed through dedication and hard work, you have a “growth mindset.” Pingry advocates for this trait in all students and has also worked to instill it in faculty and staff through workshops and reading of Dr. Carol S. Dweck’s Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. At a Lower School PSPA Coffee in January, parents learned how Pingry helps K-5 students develop a growth mindset. Here are highlights:
• Teachers expect academic excellence, but they also embrace confusion, frustration, and mistakes. From the highs and lows, students learn grit (problem solving) and perseverance.
• Students also need “emotional grit,” the ability to manage emotions.
New Staff Camille Bonds
Digital Communications Specialist
Mrs. Bonds is overseeing maintenance of the School’s website, social media channels, online calendar, photography, videography, broadcast emails, and other digital communications. Most recently, Mrs. Bonds served as Marketing Manager of MY M&M’s for Mars, Inc. Prior to that, she worked in marketing for Irving Street Rep., including as Lead Account Executive and MarCom Director for the firm’s McDonald’s account. Mrs. Bonds earned a B.B.A. in Marketing at Howard University and received a Digital Marketing Certificate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Laura Der
Major Gifts Officer
Ms. Der is helping Pingry continue the fundraising momentum from the Blueprint for the Future Campaign. She previously worked as Assistant Director of Development for the Big Green Scholarship Foundation at Marshall University. Ms. Der attended Marshall as a Division I volleyball player, graduating summa cum laude with a 30
THE PINGRY REVIEW
• “Success” is not measured only by
performance on tests. Teachers also evaluate students on how well they collaborate with each other, and how well they problem solve. Teachers encourage students to go beyond their comfort zones so they can reach their full potential. Non-cognitive skills, such as empathy and time management, are also taught. Students should develop a robust skill set that includes grit, social/emotional skills, and academic skills (Pingry spreads these skills through all three divisions via the Decisions co-curricular at the Lower School, taught by Ms. Perlow, Emotional Intelligence in Grade 6, co-taught by Dr. Johns, and Stress Management in the Upper School).
• •
Lower School Social Worker Julie Perlow, Assistant Lower School Director Dr. Sandy Lizaire-Duff, and Middle and Lower School Counselor Dr. Alyssa Johns at the PSPA Coffee.
B.A. in Advertising. She is pursuing a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications at West Virginia University.
Mary Drabich
Mike Saraceno
Ms. Drabich is serving as a fitness resource, primarily for faculty and staff, in the Miller A. Bugliari ’52 Athletics Center. She will continue in her roles as sixth-grade P.E. teacher and assistant coach for varsity field hockey. A former Division I athlete, Ms. Drabich is studying to become a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning
Mr. Saraceno joined Pingry to assist with strength and conditioning efforts in the Miller A. Bugliari ’52 Athletics Center. Most recently, he served as Director of Strength and Conditioning for Olympic Sports at Villanova University, responsible for the physical preparation of over 500 varsity student-athletes. He was also a member of the Sports Performance Council, which discussed topics such as nutrition, sports psychology, and injury prevention. He received a B.S. in Exercise Science with a concentration in Exercise Physiology from William Paterson University.
Staff in New Roles Judy Brown Associate Director of Donor Relations & Stewardship
Ms. Brown has been a member of Pingry’s Office of Institutional Advancement for four years, most recently as Campaign Manager for the public phase of the Blueprint for the Future Campaign, and, before that, as Associate Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving.
Morning Wellness Coordinator and Auxiliary Programs Assistant
Cherilyn Reynolds
College Counselor and Coordinator*
Mrs. Reynolds is overseeing a small group of counselees while coordinating the logistics of everything from college visits to college applications and managing the operations of the College Counseling Office. She brings to College Counseling her experiences with the admission process, having worked for six years as a college admissions officer, most recently as Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Rider University. Prior to joining College Counseling, Mrs. Reynolds spent two years as Web and Social Media Strategist for Pingry’s Communications Office. * Amy Cooperman ’90 has transitioned into a full-time counseling position and will oversee a group of 32 Pingry juniors.