MKA's Parents' Association, PAMKA Awards Six Faculty Trust Grants
In 1978, PAMKA awarded the first Faculty Continuing Education Grant for $150 to faculty member Barbara Rabuse to purchase books for her doctoral study. In 1997, the program was renamed the PAMKA Faculty Trust to offer grants to faculty to pursue field-oriented, transformative courses that would enlighten them and enrich their students' classroom experience in a unique way. Over $500,000 has been awarded throughout the years and our students have continually reaped the benefits of these inspirational and educational experiences.
PAMKA President Karen Gulliver and PAMKA Grant Committee Chair Mary Johnson, celebrated the 2016 recipients at MKA's annual start of school meeting and invited each of them to present their findings to the faculty/staff.
CherylAnne Amendola, presented her 'Historical Tour of London' after she explored 700 years of history that the Middle School history curriculum covers. She was able to look and experience first-hand the art and architecture of the European Renaissance and learn more about the economic and political forces that shaped those time periods. CherylAnne can't wait to share her discoveries and experience with her students.
Alden Basmajian from the Upper School Math department used his PAMKA grant to support his participation in the Chattanooga Ironman. The grueling Ironman race is comprised of a 2.5-mile swim, 112 miles of cycling, followed by a full marathon! Alden presented 'The World is Our Classroom: An Ironman Experience' where he spoke of preparing to get to the starting line and then executing your plan to get to the finish line, and how that translates into all facets of life. He said we all encounter obstacles and roadblocks and its how we respond to them that matters.
Thomas Jones, Upper School History teacher, presented his PAMKA grant 'Blackfeet Indian Reservation'. This trip was inspired by his participation in the May 2015 MKA Service trip to this NW Montana reservation. As a History and Global Citizenship teacher, this experience had a profound impact on Thom's understanding of the Blackfeet Indians' culture, their history, their policies and their current condition and future hopes. He looks forward to bringing his vital understandings of the past and present to his students.
Dana Rose, Primary School 3rd grade teacher and Sustainability and Service Learning Coordinator at the Primary School, travelled across Costa Rica to experience its rich biodiversity and environment while exploring the country's conservation and sustainability practices. She presented 'A Central American Take Action Project- Learning Sustainable Practices in Costa Rica and she will use her learnings about creating a self-sufficient, intentional and sustainable community as a reference for her Agents of Change Unit at the Primary School.
Eric Salehi, Upper School English teacher, embarked on a 200 miles walk in two weeks from Siena to Rome along the final stages of the Via Francigena, the historic route taken by medieval pilgrims on their way to Rome. Eric teachers a medieval literature course where pilgrimage is a central theme. He now has a new understanding of how geography effected history and what it meant to be a pilgrim in history versus today.
Finally, Ron Wolfson, Upper School History teacher, pursued a life-long dream to run the Great Wall Marathon along scenic, ancient sections of the Great Wall of China. Ron said that he asks of his students the same things he asked of himself before embarking on this challenge: Plan in advance, ask questions, be flexible, put your best self forward and have satisfaction in your results. His journey is sure to inspire his students!
PAMKA is proud to support these exciting projects that we are sure will enrich and inspire not just the participants, but our community as a whole.
Congratulations to all of the recipients and thank you, PAMKA!