Collegiate Salutes our Faculty and Staff

 

Our recipient tells her students each year that her goals for them are to, “Work hard. Have fun. Use what you learn.” She spends countless hours crafting challenging, entertaining lesson plans that incorporate authentic scenarios to ensure that her students meet those goals.

 

Observing her in the classroom is a true delight. To witness this year’s recipient teach is to understand how a well thought-out plan that is expertly executed makes for remarkable student learning and growth. There is not one lost second of time in her classroom. Before the bell even rings, her students are learning with what is on the board and by the music being played. She welcomes them in Spanish and asks them questions about what is going on in their lives. She effortlessly moves through each part of her lesson, one building upon the other in a clearly conceived plan to help the students understand the concept being taught that day. It is evident that she does not want to lose her students’ interest and that her students are completely engaged. When the bell rings, her students leave exhausted and enchanted.

 

Whenever I leave the classroom after an observation, I am always amazed by how much she is able to achieve; she never leaves a minute of instructional time on the table, yet it never feels rushed. She is passionate about the language and culture of Spanish speaking countries as evidenced by her world travels.

 

She was the recipient of the Class of 1974 Endowment for International Studies where she attended the World Leadership School’s Educator Development Program in Peru. She has taught all levels of Spanish, including AP, coached, run the STAR tutoring program, served as divisional diversity representative, and is the current World Language Department Chair. After many years of teaching, she took time off to raise her daughter; but when we had an opening, I called her to return. It was our good fortune that the timing was perfect and we got not only a great teacher back on campus, but her wonderful daughter as well!

 

It is my pleasure to honor Upper School Spanish teacher Liz Bowling with the Ann Griffin Award for Excellence in Teaching.