Roffman

Runkle Middle School Spanish teacher Colleen Doyle participated in the 'Classroom in the Real World' program at the University of Alicante last summer. Thanks to a BEF grant, Colleen spent three transformative weeks in Spain during June 2024, immersed in language and culture.  Colleen developed valuable insights that continue to shape her classroom approach. She particularly valued the program's emphasis on peer collaboration, cultural context and creative teaching methodologies. The intimate cohort size created meaningful professional relationships that extend beyond the program, providing an ongoing support network for curriculum development and teaching practices. Colleen, along with a cohort of teachers from all [...]

At the March BEF Board meeting, members learned about a Collaborative Teacher Grant that was awarded to Lucy McNeil, Pierce 6th grade Science teacher, and Stephanie Goodman, Pierce 6th grade English teacher. The goal of the grant was to explore conservation centers in Greece and learn more about conservation efforts to protect biodiversity in the Aegean and Ionian Seas. The teachers traveled to Athens, and the islands of Zakynthos and Paros in Greece to learn firsthand from local educators and conservationists about their efforts and the realities of conservation in an age of increased tourism. Their main takeaways were: The impact [...]

At our February BEF board meeting, members of the Board were treated to a presentation by Julia Mangan about the grant she and Melissa Nixon, both educators at BHS, received and participated in over the summer. With 12 years of physics and chemistry teaching experience, 10 of which have been at BHS, Julia explained how she has seen AP physics change over her career. Over the last 20 years the way physics is taught has changed dramatically, as research has supported a more inquiry-based approach focused on deeper conceptual understanding. As accessibility has expanded, so has AP physics at BHS – [...]

At our December Board meeting, the BEF Board heard from Lawrence art teacher Abi Robichaud about her recent BEF grant. Abi traveled to Mexico City this past summer to study all forms of Mexican and indigenous art, including murals, sculptures, contemporary art and the legendary works of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Her travels inspired several lesson plans for students in grades K through 8, which she has shared with art faculty all over Brookline, and which include interdisciplinary projects with math and science teachers. Thank you for an inspiring presentation,  Miss Abi! 

The BEF's October board meeting, which was a potluck dinner held at the home of gracious Board member Erin Meyer and her husband Nat, featured presentations on two fascinating grants. First, BHS math teacher Julia James told the Board, Advisory Board, and staff members present about her grant-funded trip to Nicaragua, where she studied Spanish and prepared to lead a student trip to teach math to younger students in the Dominican Republic later this year. Her experience in the restrictive political climate of Nicaragua was profoundly impactful, as were the connections she made with her instructors and local people she got [...]

At our first Board meeting of the 2024-25 school year, BEF Board members were thrilled to hear from Driscoll librarian Anne Reid and art teacher Olivia Reyelt, who received a Teacher grant this year to create Driscoll's Year of the Turtle! Their grant began with a trip to Costa Rica over the summer, where Anne and Olivia worked with local wildlife conservation teams to record turtle breeding activities and help endangered sea turtles navigate safely between the beach and the ocean. It will continue all year long as turtles infuse life at Driscoll with a new energy and joyfulness - the [...]