Faculty Summer Updates Part 2

Fran Ormand (Fine Arts) - Mrs. Ormand is taking a class at the East End Arts Council. The course is taught by Monica Ray, a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists. This class combines Mrs. Ormand’s love of gardening and drawing - using colored pencils on non-traditional materials. She is excited to use some of these techniques with her Advanced Drawing students.

Alex Gilbert (High School Science) - Mr. Gilbert participated in the AP Summer Institute for Chemistry offered by Hofstra University in early July. The highlight of his experience was the ability to collaborate with a group of teachers who are very passionate about teaching and their students. He learned a lot from both the instructor and his peers, and was able to develop a valuable support system for teaching AP Chemistry.

Sarah Walters (High School World History) - Mrs. Sarah Walters was selected to grade the SAQ questions of the AP World exams in Kansas City in June. It gave her the opportunity to have discussions with college professors and fellow teachers about individual students responses, and aided in developing fair and balanced working examples that the College Board will use to educate other AP World teachers and future students.  She also was able to collaborate and develop a professional relationship with APSI leaders, fellow AP world teachers, and authors of textbooks and review books from all over the world. According to Mrs. Walters, "The best part of the trip was meeting Benjamin Freeman of Freemanpedia in Starbucks. The AP World nerd totally loved being able to small talk with an AP World teacher of that caliber. I cannot wait to go back again. It was the best professional development I have ever had as a teacher."

John Rodis (Performing Arts) - Mr. Rodis attended his 7th year of World Music Drumming. This class focuses on drumming techniques and ensembles in the African and Afro-Cuban styles of music. He is currently working on two major projects over the summer. One is a transcription of an African Drumming ensemble called Kinka. He is excited to incorporate and introduce this piece in the Fundamentals of Music Class curriculum that LuHi is offering this year to our students.  The second major project he is currently working on is a composition for LuHi’s Symphonic Band. This piece will be added to a series of songs he has written over the years to celebrate African Culture. He is creating an arrangement based on the song “By the Waters of Babylon”. He looks forward to sharing this piece with the LuHi community at the Fine Arts Festival.

Helen Sher (High School Science) - Mrs. Sher traveled to Durham, New Hampshire, for the National Marine Educators Association Annual Conference. One of the interesting aspects of the conference was the introduction of creative methodologies to incorporate art expression into scientific studies. The information from the sessions, as well as work done on a research vessel, will support and enhance her Marine Science class - a new class offering at LuHi starting in September!

Christine Dragos (HS Business/Technology) - Mrs. Dragos attended EdCamp Leadership New York/Long Island in early July. EdCamp Leadership is an “unconference” dedicated to a day of conversation, reflection, and inspiration for educators and school leaders. After attendees populated the traditional “big board” of topics that they wanted to discuss, Mrs. Dragos attended several interesting sessions, including one on cultivating a growth mindset in students.