Offering world-class professional development for its faculty is one way that MKA remains at the cutting edge of academic and intellectual excellence.Steve ValentineAssistant Head of School
FACULTY WHO LOVE TO LEARN
Students are not the only MKA Learners. Though MKA faculty members are already exceptionally accomplished professionals, they are lifelong learners at heart. Committed to a continuous process of inquiry, they are always looking to answer, “How can I most significantly improve teaching and learning in my classroom?”
MKA’s robust professional growth culture is a hallmark of the school community and attracts faculty members who are reflective about their own practice and continually seek ways to enhance students’ learning. MKA teachers are in the habit of examining current research on learning and teaching; exploring varied instructional strategies; enhancing knowledge in their discipline; experimenting with new uses of technology; collaborating to create, revise, and refine engaging curriculum; and planning to maximize students’ growth and success.
MKA’s Professional Growth Process (PGP) engages every faculty member in a continuous process of inquiry, reflection, and adjustment of practice informed by feedback from peer observations, student questionnaires, and analysis of a body of students’ work to uncover noteworthy trends. Faculty reflect on this feedback and confer with colleagues to identify adjustments that will improve teaching and learning in their classrooms.
In addition, MKA offers individual faculty members:
- On-site workshops that provide time, space, and inspiration to examine current practice and adjust learning experiences for their students
- Funding to support:
- Creative curriculum development during the summer
- Attendance at national conferences and workshops with access to renowned experts
- Graduate and post-graduate study in their fields or related areas of interest
- Travel grants to support both dream adventures and lessons to bring back to MKA students (funded through the Parents’ Association)
Approximately 80% of faculty voluntarily engage in MKA-funded professional development and curriculum development opportunities each summer, and all faculty participate in 11 in-service days each school year.
FACULTY WHO LIVE TO TEACH
Faculty-Student Collaboration: Students enjoy close relationships with extremely caring and highly qualified faculty members, who are committed to the intellectual, academic, social, emotional, and ethical development of each child. Student and alumni surveys, as well as senior exit interviews, consistently highlight that students’ relationships with their teachers and advisors are one of the most transformative aspects of their MKA experience.
Faculty Accessibility: Even beyond the classroom, faculty members welcome students’ questions and act as guides for learning. Middle and Upper School teachers are available during Common Work Periods, lunch periods, and after school. More than teachers, faculty members are students’ advisors and often act as their mentors and coaches.
Faculty Focus: Each campus faculty is dedicated to teaching students at the appropriate developmental level. Faculty members’ keen awareness of what students need to grow as both scholars and people provides one of the most important foundations for student-centered classrooms Jr-K–12.
