"I am not a teacher, but an awakener." ~ Robert Frost
Dear Caedmon Community,
Teachers are the heart and soul of a school, and that is never more evident than it is here at Caedmon. The students that we serve are young, and the influence of a teacher can sincerely set a child up for success for the rest of their life. Before we finish up the year, I want to both thank and recognize our gifted faculty who are moving on, as well as introduce you to the talented folks joining us in September. We will bid a very fond farewell to three beloved teachers at our closing faculty luncheon next week, and we will welcome five new members to the faculty.
I am compelled as I write about our teachers to take one last opportunity to plead with you, frankly, to help us to grow the Fund for Teacher Learning. This fund ensures that your children continue to receive the best and most up-to-date learning. It was created at the Spring Benefit, and people donated generously. There are still a good number of families who weren't in attendance, however, and I am sincerely asking you to say THANK YOU to your children's teachers, by clicking here to donate to this important fund.
Farewell & Thank You to the Following Members of our Faculty
We express our deepest gratitude to our wonderful colleagues as they move on from Caedmon this year. We wish the very best to Susan Kelly, beloved by parents and students, who retires after being a Caedmon mom, serving as a Caedmon Trustee, and spending many years as a gifted Early Childhood teacher. If we count the years, Susan has likely spent over 35 of them in the Caedmon community! Samantha England Dulaj has taught at every level of The Caedmon School; she was co-creator of the Beginners program with Saniya Mehdi, she was part of various Early Childhood teams, she is currently a revered Kindergarten teacher, and she taught the Elementary faculty Montessori principles as the school's founding Montessori Liaison to the Elementary program. It is amazing how many students Sam knows so deeply in the school. In her time here, she has gotten married, had a child of her own, and moved to the burbs. Sam now wants (needs) to be closer to her daughter and her Long Island home. Just recently, one of our Beginners teachers, Rawan Anabtawi, told us that she is going to stay home next year with her newborn baby, which is a choice I always respect. Earlier in the year, we said goodbye to Spanish Specialist Miriam Bahrami, Art Specialist Kristina Bakker, and First & Second grade teacher Amanda Espy.
As always, we strive to find the best candidates for our teaching positions and for our community. I am both impressed and assured by our hiring process. Saniya Mehdi and Jelecia McGregor assemble excellent hiring committees, which are chaired by a teacher or an administrator, and who interview candidates and then choose the finalists. Each finalist teaches a demo class (if appropriate to the position being sought) and also meets with the rest of the school administration. The committee then reconvenes and submits their recommendation to the Head of School. Finally, at least three phone references are contacted, and a background check takes place.
Welcome to Caedmon!
During the last week of August, we will welcome the newest members of the Caedmon teaching team. We found their intelligence inspiring, their kind and empathetic nature very “Caedmon-esque,” and their hobbies and personal interests ready to enrich Caedmon’s creative pool. Ana Nuñes returns to the Early Program, after having been a student teacher here in the spring of 2021. Originally from Brazil, and having earned two Masters Degrees, one from Brazil and the other from the US, Ana also completed her Montessori Certification and is currently finishing a year at West Side Montessori. She has kept in close contact with Mrs. Mehdi, and returning to Caedmon fulfills a dream for her. The enrollment in next year's Kindergarten is so full, that we will add two teachers to the teaching team. Jill Grazioli recently finished her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education at Hunter College, after fifteen years in the NYC corporate sector. If her name sounds familiar, that's because she is also a beloved Caedmon mom of Brady in Fourth grade next year, and Lily in First. Taylor Rosenblatt recently finished two years as an Associate Kindergarten and First grade teacher at Dalton, and has her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from Hunter College, and a Bachelors of Science in Learning, Literacy, and Leadership from the University of Arizona. Taylor was also the Assistant Lacrosse coach at Dalton. Sophie Bolla joins Pilar Perez-Yepes in the Caedmon Art Studio. Sophie has a MAT in Visual Art Education from Manhattanville College, and a BFA is Visual Arts Education from the Art Institute of Chicago. Sophie comes to us from Pound Ridge Montessori School, and received glowing references. Kate Fitzgerald will be Caedmon's new Spanish Specialist. Kate has a Masters Degree in Childhood Education from Bank Street, another Masters Degree in Spanish from Middlebury College, and her BA in Spanish from Bates College. Kate is returning to NYC from Napa, California, and she videoed a mesmerizing demo lesson, engaging 18 children in an active, hands-on Spanish class. We are still hiring a part-time Associate teacher for the Beginners class to replace Ms. Anabtawi.
I am thrilled that Caedmon's faculty retention remains so strong.
We love our teachers and they love Caedmon.
This is especially inspiring in light of "The Great Resignation" plaguing so many schools. And, I am very excited to welcome these new members to our community.
Best,
Matthew
