Professional Growth and Development

King established Summer Sabbatical grants for faculty in 2006. These grants were established to provide funding to support teachers who wish to explore topics and ideas and to develop their knowledge and expertise in a manner that will positively impact the work that they do with students at King. 

Each year, King awards four one-time Summer Sabbatical grants in late May or early June, to be used for work that summer. Summer sabbaticals are intended to ease the financial commitment that is generally associated with this sort of summer enterprise. Each summer sabbatical consists of a one-time grant awarded in late May or early June, to be used for work that summer. Sabbatical proposals are not meant to include requests for graduate study courses or clearly defined Professional Growth and Development (PGD) workshops and conferences. The school has separate funding for programs of this sort. Summer sabbaticals can consist of a wide variety of activities, including but not limited to travel associated with the faculty members desired area of growth, in-depth research that requires devoted attention and time away from one’s day to day affairs, or an opportunity to reflect upon their practice in a longer-term disciplined way.

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Past Examples of Sabbatical Experiences

Shevon continued her 2015 Venice research on the MOSE Project in 2023, focusing on the impact of recent droughts on the city. Interviewing residents and officials, she explored measures like elevated walkways and waterproofing to address rising water levels. She applied these insights to create lesson plans for her lower school classes, using Venice's challenges to teach about global issues like climate change and geological engineering.

During his summer sabbatical, Daniel researched digital wellness trends and proposed a book titled "Calling All Meta-Activists." Emphasizing that responsible tech use is key to digital citizenship, he aims to empower youth through his work at King and the book, encouraging them to advocate for systemic change in technology and politics.

Rachel's research in Berlin delved into the city's history, exploring how memories of 20th-century catastrophic events are transmitted through generations. Immersing herself in historical sites, museums, and memorials, she focused on Berlin's role in the Holocaust and post-World War II reconstruction. Inspired, she designed two Grade 10 World History projects, one examining the 1936 Olympics and the other exploring the responsibility of ordinary Germans for the Holocaust. Students delve into the complexities of historical events and motives.

Tom conducted an archaeological study and excavation of the 1845 Huffman Farmstead in Phelps, NY, a rare cobblestone structure. He aimed to unveil its history by cross-referencing findings with records and genealogy. Sharing results with the local historical society, Tom applied research skills from this project to enhance his archaeology curriculum. The study provided valuable insights into the region's past, contributing to historical preservation and education in Phelps, and emphasizing the practical application of archaeological methods in academic settings.

In-House Workshops

Faculty and Staff members are committed to growth and development on a regular basis. Our teachers meet weekly to discuss best practices as aligned with our commitment to a student-centered approach that challenges our students to be their best.

In addition, King commits two full days and several half days to ongoing Professional Growth and Development throughout the year.

Some of these in-house workshops are facilitated by our current faculty and staff members. For example, we host "King Talks" where faculty and staff can share their experiences from recent professional development conferences or programs, professional research projects, and common best practices from their area of expertise. Our Technology department shares updates and best practices throughout the year. 

In some cases, we invite expert speakers to campus. Recent past speakers have included:

• Patricia Vitale Reilly, Consultant, Teacher and Author, hosted a Humanities Retreat on literacy instruction.

• Kyati Joshi, Co-Founder of the  Institute for Teaching Diversity and Social Justice presented about DEIB best practices.

• Tamar Gendler, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Philosophy, Psychology, and Cognitive Science at Yale University presented on the the evolving world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its multifaceted implications on student learning and future career landscapes. 

• Zack Etter, CEO of the Holistic Athlete presented about mental performance, mental skills, and mental health of our athletes.

Additional training and programs have included: 

• Developmental Designs hosted an Advisory training.

• Narrative 4, facilitated a story exchange workshop for all faculty and staff. 

• Suzanne Battinelli, Founder of The U, spoke about nutrition, health, and wellness. 

• Eric McEvenny, US Paralympic Athlete and Retired Marine Corps Officer, spoke about embracing challenges and building pride.

Each year King sends individuals and groups to dozens of conferences. Below is a listing of some of the workshops and conferences individuals have attended in recent years:

• National Council of Teachers of English – National Convention
• National Social Studies Convention
• National Council for the Teaching of Mathematics
• National Conference for Teachers of Science
• CAIS Beginning Teachers Institute
• Silvermine Art Courses
• Orff Certification Program
• Massachusetts College of Art Seminar
• The Harvard "Brain" Conference
• Harvard Mental Health Series Conference
• AP Training Courses
• American Library Association Conference
• Fairchester Fellows Program
• Connecticut Writing Workshop
• Foreign Language COLT Conference
• Chicago Institute on Student Behavior
• Teachers Against Prejudice Workshop
• The "Value of Play" Workshop
• Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools

Below are some examples of workshops and conferences where King has sent groups of teachers:
• Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Modern Languages
• National Association of Biology Teachers
• Rubicon Atlas Curriculum Mapping Training
• NAIS People of Color Conference (POCC)
• CAIS: Pieces of the Puzzle Conference
• Learning and the Brain Conference
• National Association of College Admission Counselors Convention
• New England Association of College Admission Counselors

PG&D Forms

PG&D Conference Feedback Form

PG&D Request - Faculty

PG&D Request - Staff