MKA Blauvelt recipients share the results of their work with their colleagues

MKA's Blauvelt Professional Study Advancement Awards, designed to promote the integration of character development in the classroom, provide opportunities for faculty to study, reflect and design curriculum grounded in developing students' moral and intellectual habits over the summer. In a faculty in-service meeting, the Blauvelt recipients shared the results of their work with their colleagues.

This year, four faculty members participated in Blauvelt studies. Primary School Second Grade teacher Maureen Bates, studied culturally responsive teaching. Through research and interviews with experts, she re-examined read-aloud texts to help students understand that books can be 'mirrors, windows and doors' to help students practice self awareness and connectedness with their classmates. Third Grade teacher Katherine Caro, studied how to authentically cultivate a growth mindset in elementary-age students and implemented activities that challenged the language of failure. Middle School Spanish and French teacher Kristen Delfino, set out to create lessons that teach social justice in World Language classes. As a result, she created lessons that included activism awareness and real world connections. Finally, Upper School Fine and Performing Arts teacher Nick Schutsky, studied the ethical boundaries of what is appropriate in art. He researched artwork that has been deemed offensive in order to better educate and understand why people are offended so that he can communicate with his students artistic parameters which will allow for safer expression.