New to Friends School of Portland: Teacher Spotlight
Pictured above: Head of School, Sara Primo and Director of Studies, Nell Sears with new faculty (left to right) 1-2 teacher, Kate Cass, 1-2 assistant teacher, Mary Anne Peacock, 3-4 teacher, Kathryn Amato, 3-4 teacher, Heather Peters, Spanish teacher, Robbie Harrison
This year, FSP welcomes four new, full-time teachers. Our first-year Spanish teacher, Robbie Harrison, asked Kathryn Amato, Heather Peters, Kate Cass & Mary-Anne Peacock some questions to spotlight their arrival to our community.
What is something that has surprised you about working at a Quaker school?
The practice of silence. It blows me away at every Meeting for Worship that our whole school can come together in this practice. It’s very powerful. I’m also finding it to be a really useful practice in the classroom at other times.
-Kate Cass, 1-2 Lead Teacher
What brought you to FSP?
My time at FSP as a camp counselor, substitute teacher, and now assistant 1st/2nd-grade teacher and member of the AfterCare staff has transported me back to those formative Quaker experiences that have defined me personally as a Quaker and professionally as a Quaker educator over the course of my 12 years as a student at Baltimore Friends School and my 20 years on the faculty at Sandy Spring Friends School.
-Mary Anne Peacock, 1-2 Assistant Teacher
I wanted to come back to a Quaker space [after working at Cambridge Friends School]. At the new faculty orientation day, you shared a picture of roots and wings. I want to grow roots for me and my family. I want my kids to fly and be grounded.
-Heather Peters, 3-4 Lead Teacher
What were your first impressions of a Quaker school?
The strong sense of joyful community. I very clearly recall coming to my first Meeting for Worship and the sense of calm and connection in the room. The kids seemed to be so present and happy. It was delightful!
-Kathryn Amato, 3-4 Lead Teacher
The meeting room: I hadn’t seen a space like it before. As an actor-educator I went to a lot of cafe-toriums. The meeting room served a different purpose that I hadn’t experienced before in the form of a Quaker Meeting.
-Robbie Harrison, Spanish Teacher
FSP’s new teachers began the onboarding process in the spring before their first teaching year. When possible, new teachers had the opportunity to shadow during a school day and join our June faculty professional days. Over the summer, each new teacher met with Director of Studies, Nell Sears, to plan for the year to come. Each new teacher is assigned a mentor, a returning teacher, who helps support and welcome them. New teachers and mentors come together for a day-long orientation in August, and then all first and second-year teachers meet as a group in October to discuss questions that have arisen throughout the fall. This process is designed to help new teachers find their footing and illuminate the ways that Friends School of Portland can continue to grow as a community.