Kravis Center for Excellence in Teaching
Kravis Center
Great teachers never stop learning.
The Henry R. Kravis ’63 Center for Excellence in Teaching guides and nurtures our faculty in their ongoing pursuit of excellence. The mission? To sustain in the faculty the same passion for lifelong learning that we aim to instill in our students.
Through the center, teachers delve deeply into the latest findings on mind-brain education science, refine their curricula with an eye to equity and inclusion; and finetune their grading practices in response to the evolving needs of students.
The center provides the space and the time for teachers to support each other and learn from each other, all in the service of student learning. Our teachers challenge each other to be the best teachers that they can be . . . to be the best teachers you will find anywhere.
UPCOMING SYMPOSIUM
Navigating Uncertainty, Embracing Possibility: AI in Independent Schools
December 4 • Loomis Chaffee School, Windsor, CT
The Power of Observation
Open Classroom Week
This Kravis Center initiative — which takes place three times a year — is an opportunity for teachers to observe, and be observed by, their colleagues in the classroom.
While teachers invite their colleagues to observe their classes at any time, Open Classroom Week carves out time for them to observe their colleagues in their own and in other departments, to celebrate what is happening in our classrooms every day, and to gather to exchange more formal feedback at the end of the week.
The Importance of Lifelong Learning
Books on Learning & Teaching
One of the many ways that our faculty model lifelong learning for our students is through professional development opportunities such as the Kravis Center’s Books on Learning & Teaching (BLT) initiative. Teachers across departments keep up to date with and gather regularly to discuss the latest pedagogical research and new and effective teaching, evaluation and grading practices.
The work of Education
New Faculty Cohort
Through this year-long program, faculty who are new to Loomis Chaffee gather together on a regular basis with Kravis Center staff to get to know the school, to learn from each other, and to practice their teaching.
Monday Musings
This weekly newsletter, written and compiled by Kravis Center staff and occasional guests, provides our faculty — and all interested educators — with thoughtful reflections on topics relevant to the field of education today, a digest of articles and resources on those topics, and curated links to professional development opportunities for educators.
Latest Issue
In the Spotlight
Generative AI Symposium
Educators from New England and beyond gathered April 25, 2023, for a Generative Artificial Intelligence Symposium at Loomis Chaffee. Sponsored by the Kravis Center for Excellence in Teaching, the symposium featured a robust program with presenters from various independent schools.
NAIS Workshop
Dean of Faculty Andrew Matlack and Sara Deveaux, director of the Kravis Center for Excellence in Teaching, presented at the 2020 National Association of Independent School Annual Conference. Their workshop, Creating a Culture of Sustained Professional Growth and Reflection within the Evaluation Process, focused on incorporating professional development into the faculty evaluation process in meaningful ways.
Genuine Admission Podcast
Sara Deveaux, director of the Kravis Center for Excellence in Teaching, and Fiona Mills, assistant director of the Kravis Center for DEI Curriculum Development, join Amy Thompson, dean of enrollment, for a conversation about Loomis Chaffee’s focus on teacher growth and learning and several initiatives the center is currently undertaking, all in the service of student learning.
Our Directors
Ned Heckman
Science Faculty; Associate Director of the Kravis Center; Head of Taylor Hall, LBGTQ Coordinator
Matthew Johnson
English Faculty; Computer Science Faculty; Mathematics Faculty;, Assistant Director of the Kravis Center for Academic Technology
Rachel Nisselson
Associate Director of the Kravis Center; Modern & Classical Languages Faculty - Spanish & French , Interim Varsity Girls Squash Coach