December 05, 2024
Making the Grade
How thoughtful donors invest in Andover’s world-class facultyToday, Andover faculty partner with the school’s benefactors like never before.
Whether presenting at an international conference or directing an innovative, cross-disciplinary workshop, PA instructors are being empowered to lead. They’re also being granted the opportunity to elevate their best professional selves, with uninterrupted time to contribute to peer-reviewed publications and new technologies for dynamic classroom lessons.
In particular, donors are giving faculty the tools to succeed by funding foundations, instructorships, and endowed department chairs. So too leadership positions, sabbaticals, professional development funds, and more. These resources drive every classroom interaction, every lightbulb moment—and advance the Academy’s role as a national model for excellence in secondary education.
Whitney Bowen ’10 was eager to join the dozens of alumni, families, and friends worldwide who have given to this priority in the past five years. For the former elementary school teacher, a chance to help other educators resonated deeply. Bowen’s endowment sponsors sabbaticals, an Academy advantage that few peer schools can match—and one that enables instructors each year to further their independent research, write books and articles, and seek additional academic enrichment.
“Andover is unique in that it has such exceptional faculty who have been there for decades, as well as teaching fellows right out of college,” says Bowen. “Having both groups is so important, and supporting and retaining them in their professional growth is crucial.”
She also wanted to celebrate the impact her own PA mentors made on her life and career.
“I had so many incredible teachers at Andover. They are a major part of what makes the school special. They are your surrogate parents, coaches, mentors,” says Bowen. “And I wanted to say thank you.”
So did Serena Perin Vinton ’86. She, along with husband Henry and daughters Elena ’19, Alexandra ’22, and Amelia ’23, created an endowed fund for the Academic Skills Center in tribute to its hard-working staff, especially Director Laura Warner.
“Laura Warner is a godsend to the school. She opened her arms to my daughter Amelia, who is dyslexic,” says Vinton, who hopes the family’s gift helps increase understanding about neurodivergences. Vinton’s brother, Reuben ’89, and father, Reuben ’57, P’86, ’89, GP’19, ’22, ’23, also have dyslexia.
“From day one, Laura allowed Amelia to feel comfortable with her disability and offered her a safe space to feel good about who she is,” she says. “But Laura needed more resources—to bring in speakers, to raise awareness, even things like getting students tested. If I can make things easier by providing this gift, then she and her team can serve the students all the better. And that’s really gratifying.”
Faculty View
For physics instructor Clyfe Beckwith P’15, ’17, who is one of nearly 100 PA faculty members currently bolstered by a teaching foundation, such support is priceless. He’s used the wider priority funding for everything from faculty dinners to technology equipment, even for a “life-changing” sabbatical that granted him extended time to “think big.”
He’s not alone.
PA educators annually take advantage of professional development funds to heighten their subject knowledge.
Many others are on teaching instructorships that recognize and encourage rising faculty. In every instance, these resources offer opportunities to expand scholarly interests and amplify classroom creativity.
“I’m hugely grateful to donors,” says Beckwith. “Their investments positively advance Andover and enable us to be versatile and imaginative. I have colleagues from other schools who ask how we do what we do at PA. I tell them it’s because the Academy and our donors support us. Any time you can give students a nonstandard experience, they lap it up. The same is true for faculty.”
To join this endeavor, please contact [email protected].
Categories: Philanthropy
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