Posts in Faculty
The Power of Writing

I believe that writing can be powerful. Not the follow-the-guidelines, meet the criteria, formulaic kind of writing, but writing that allows us to feel or think. Watching students evolve as writers is an interesting process. Some children focus on grammar usage, vocabulary variety, and content development and organization. Those are good goals. The challenge is to build these skills while also keeping the author’s voice.

Read More
FacultySydney Clarke
Maria Rodrigo Leaman: Lower School Spanish

Maria Rodrigo Leaman joined GUS as Lower School Spanish teacher in the fall of 2021, teaching students in grades pre-k through 5. Hear directly from Maria about her approach to teaching, why she loves to teach Spanish, why it’s important to begin teaching foreign language at a young age.

Read More
Why I Love Teaching Math

From the time I was very young, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I am not sure what it was exactly that I loved about it. But as the oldest of four who was often left in charge it seemed a natural fit. As a child, I would set up school for my dolls and stuffed animals and spend hours pretending to teach them.

Read More
FacultyMaureen Twombly
Fostering Connectivity + Facilitating Joy

As I take a moment to reflect on my years of teaching, I am struck by how my journey with mindfulness has evolved into an essential part of my being and at the core of my teaching. I am blessed to teach, to be in a profession that fosters connectivity and facilitates joy.

Read More
FacultyElliott Buck
(More Than) a Few Words from Mr. Bartsch

Jeffrey Bartsch began his journey at GUS in 2010, when he agreed to spearhead the new humanities program. Over the course of eleven years, his humanities 8 has come to be an important cornerstone of the 8th grade year, helping to define a GUS education. Here, he shares his unexpected path to teaching, his approach to teaching, and some changes that lay ahead.

Read More
FacultyJeffrey Bartsch
How a Progressive Education Responds to the Times

While I’ve always believed that a progressive education model that puts the students' needs at the center of the learning experience is how students learn best, the need for this kind of approach is more essential than ever. Today, a truly progressive educational setting can help our children not only survive in a post pandemic world, but more importantly, thrive.

Read More