Dr. Wendy Swanson is inspired by the Pine Crest School faculty each and every day—and that’s exactly what she loves about her work. As Director of Faculty Learning and Recruitment Coordinator at Pine Crest School, she supports professional learning alongside Dr. Lisa Ockerman, Vice President of Academics and Strategic Initiatives. Together, they champion a culture of growth, innovation and connection across both campuses.
Dr. Wendy Swanson
“Our faculty are truly outstanding,” Dr. Swanson said. “Someone will share an idea they are working on, and it is our job to help bring those ideas to life. Teachers or members from different departments will chat with us about a webinar, podcast or something they learned from a colleague. These initial conversions are the basis for developing new learning opportunities. That open-door energy defines professional learning at Pine Crest. Whether it’s a spark of curiosity, a new instructional method or takeaways from attending a collaborative workshop, faculty have access to the resources, people and support they need to hone their craft as exceptional educators.
"Supporting faculty and staff with professional development is vital to the culture that President Dr. Dana Markham ’18H has built here,” Dr. Swanson said. “Her motto ‘do it better than the day before,’ has truly taken root. Our faculty are lifelong learners."
That mindset begins on day one. New faculty participate in a multi-day orientation followed by a yearlong onboarding program that helps them thrive at Pine Crest. “It’s not just about acclimating,” Dr. Swanson said. “It’s about giving new faculty the support they need for personal and professional growth as they transition to the community through a trusting relationship and collegiality.”
Faculty professional learning session in the Weinberg Faculty Learning Lab
Each new faculty member is paired with a mentor to guide and advise them throughout their first year. The onboarding and mentoring program, known as Teacher Excellence Achieved through Mentoring (TEAM), was initially designed by Dr. Ockerman. Dr. Swanson and Mrs. Jessie Metzger, Executive Director of Educational Design and Technology & Upper School Dean of Faculty Services, co-chair the mentoring program for Lower, Middle and Upper School teachers by partnering with the Divisions’ administrative teams to customize monthly meeting topics to address the needs of each year’s new faculty cohort. Other faculty members are invited as guest speakers to share instructional practices and tips on what works best for students at Pine Crest.
One of Pine Crest’s most powerful learning models is “Teachers Teaching Teachers,” the signature professional development event held each year before school starts. Faculty and staff present workshops for one another based on their own research, coursework or passions. It is a celebration of shared expertise and cross-campus connection. “You can see a faculty member’s growth year after year,” Dr. Swanson said. “The person may start with curiosity about a particular teaching topic or instructional approach. Then, they research and learn about that topic. Eventually, that same person is leading a session to share their newly acquired knowledge with others. It’s a wonderful way to elevate our knowledge base as a community.”
Dr. Swanson also organizes professional development opportunities to bring educational experts to campus. One notable example was the year-long partnership with the Gilder Lehrman Institute, the leading nonprofit and nonpartisan organization dedicated to K–12 history education. The Middle School faculty was exploring ways to support the development of critical thinking and literacy skills to prepare students for the transition to Upper School coursework. In-person and virtual training sessions were provided by university professors and master teachers from the Institute. Faculty members participated in the training, contributing valuable perspectives and enriching the collaborative learning environment. Sustaining these cross-divisional conversations throughout the year fosters deeper connections among faculty, encourages the exchange of ideas and strengthens the continuity of instruction across campuses.
Gilder Lehrman Institute Professional Learning Workshop with Pine Crest School faculty
Professional development opportunities support faculty beyond academic content development as well. Dr. Swanson continues to ensure that faculty are prepared to continue supporting students’ social and emotional well-being. In Lower School, a goal is to provide all faculty with Responsive Classroom™ Elementary Core training. The evidence-based approach allows teachers to create safe, joyful and engaging classrooms. Last summer, 24 academic, fine arts and athletics faculty members participated in a four-day, in-person training with a Responsive Classroom trainer. As a follow-up to the training, a Responsive Classroom representative conducted a site visit to provide insight into the schoolwide implementation of the research-based practices and provide additional resources to support teachers and staff.
Looking ahead, Pine Crest is continuing to expand opportunities for professional learning. From utilizing in-person and virtual meeting spaces to asynchronous online courses created by faculty for faculty, the school is staying on the leading edge. The Markham Center for Teaching and Learning includes the Weinberg Faculty Learning Lab—a flexible, creative space designed to host training, lunch-and-learn events, collaborative planning sessions and more.
Mrs. Jessie Metzger, Dr. Wendy Swanson, Dr. Lisa Ockerman and Mrs. Meagan Obst
“If a teacher can dream it, we want to make it happen,” Dr. Swanson said. “This space will give us even more ways to make the faculty’s ideas a reality.”
She also knows this level of support wouldn’t be possible without philanthropy. “To our donors, I want to say ‘thank you,’” she said. “Your support is elevating our teachers, our staff and our students. We are able to transform teaching and learning at Pine Crest. Because of you, our faculty have the time, tools and encouragement to continue growing and learning. And that benefits every child in every classroom.”