Inspiring Excellence Through Professional Development

Theme learning continues to be a foundational experience for young learners at University School, as it offers our Lower School students opportunities to immerse themselves in new worlds and gain the confidence associated with becoming experts. While summer professional development is happening across all levels and disciplines, the initiatives of our Lower School teachers to enhance the impact of our themes are particularly noteworthy.

An essential part of theme learning is careful attention to the evolving interests of the boys themselves. This summer our Junior Kindergarten, first-grade, and third-grade teams are working together to revise and develop themes that best engage our younger learners. At the third-grade level, for example, our teachers are working to align their theme work with our new Core Knowledge Language Arts curriculum, specifically building off of a CKLA unit involving readings about the Vikings to offer a full theme experience focused on explorers and exploration. Their goal is a new theme that sets our Third Grade students on a new journey of discovery that matches their curiosity and cultivates their love of learning.

When our teachers undertake such initiatives during the summer, boys benefit from new content and programming, and teachers gain opportunities to learn from each other’s experiences and expertise. Because of their dedication to their craft, US  teachers are able to offer boys even more pathways to identify and develop their passions.

As members of the University School community, you know the importance of teachers and coaches in shaping the experiences of US boys. Every class reflects the thoughtful planning of a dedicated teacher, and each extracurricular achievement is possible because of the opportunities US teachers and coaches offer as they inspire and mentor our students. One of the most important roles of teachers is to model the practice of life-long learning, and in every area of school life, US teachers and coaches embrace this mindset. 

We are grateful to everyone in our community who makes our professional development offerings possible through support of the Annual Fund.