Join Me In The Cloud

I’ve been a long-time user of Google Docs and Google Classroom as a part of my teaching practice, so I was thrilled when I received the go-ahead from TMI to open up a Google Classroom for my AP English Language and Composition course. I explained to my juniors that a benefit would be that they would no longer have to wait for a mutually convenient Flex Time to have a writing conference for reviewing their in-progress drafts. Rather, they could “join me in the cloud” – day or night – to get feedback on their writing in real time or to look at later.

Alice Bilbrey meeting with junior Kristina Samuel in the classroom.

“Know. Understand. Do.” Designing exceptional learning experiences

There’s an excitement in the air, one that can only be created knowing the school year is half over and the spring-semester sprint has begun. The voices and rushed activities of students fill the hallways and the faculty are newly energized after the winter break. Arriving back a day early, our teachers enjoyed the opportunity to participate in a full day of professional development led by Dr. Donnell Gregory, a member of ASCD’s Understanding by Design® and FIT Teaching™ Cadres.

‘Tis the (College Admission) Season

After nearly two months surviving on five hours of sleep a night or less, Mrs. Sarah Murphy, TMI’s Director of College Placement, can finally breathe a sigh of relief…at least for a week or two until the next flurry of college placement workshops, application deadlines, and letters of recommendation are due.

I sat down with Mrs. Murphy a week after she and the Department of College Placement hosted the second annual College Admissions Symposium Night at TMI on November 1. The program provided Upper School students and their parents a unique opportunity to hear directly from college admissions representatives and how each school looks at applications and considers students in their admission process. Mrs. Murphy described it as a real “eye-opener” for parents and students alike. Last year, representatives from Southern Methodist University, Southwestern University, University of Rochester, and Rhodes College were on the panel. This year, Emory University and Hendrix College joined Southern Methodist University to comprise the panel and represent a variety of university sizes and processes.

Faculty Spotlight: Alleyne Rogers, Latin 3, breaking away from the textbook

“It’s my favorite class,” was the first thing I heard, unprompted, as I snuck into Mr. Alleyne Roger’s Latin 3 Honors class before the bell rang.

The students were chatting amongst themselves, excited for the day’s lesson. Their eyes were bright and they were smiling. I quickly learned this was just the norm.