Message from the Principal
Dear Deerfield Families,
One of the professional development opportunities offered in Westwood is the Teachers as Scholars program. Shauna McCarty, a Deerfield second grade teacher, recently completed a Teachers as Scholars workshop and wrote about the experience.
I'm always in danger of bragging when I talk about what I do and the town where I teach. Let's face it, Westwood is a terrific place. The children and their families, my colleagues and the administrators all have one goal in mind: making Westwood the best place for all those involved in education. I challenge anyone to enter a school in the district and not be impressed. (I told you I'd brag!)
With that goal in mind, the town offers its staff many opportunities for personal and professional growth. The Teachers as Scholars Program is one such opportunity. TEACHERS as SCHOLARS (TAS) brings together K-12 teachers and university faculty for 1 to 3 day long seminars conducted at Harvard Hillel in Harvard Square. Through this program, K-12 teachers participate in small, multiple-day seminars led by leading professors in the Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences. The seminars provide teachers with the opportunity to discuss and reflect on scholarly issues with their colleagues and reconnect to ideas, one of the reasons many of us became involved in education.
Last week I began a TAS class, The Right Book at the Right Time: Quality Fiction and Nonfiction in Children's Books, Grades K-5. Discussions were focused on how to introduce "the right book at the right time", the developmental stages of books in these genres and exercises in writing for young readers. The opportunity to be immersed in day-long rich conversations was invigorating. Surrounded by teachers from other districts offered the opportunity to inform and improve my instruction, as well as hear what is going on in other districts. I was exposed to many newly published books and some old favorites. It was a day well spent. I look forward to incorporating this added knowledge into my classroom and sharing with my colleagues.
Mrs. McCarty is an exceptional teacher. One of the reasons why she is so highly-skilled is because of her dedication to professional growth. She is always looking for ways to improve her practices. Fortunately, she is representative of the entire Deerfield teaching staff. I am grateful to work with such wonderful professionals. Please let me know if you have any questions about professional development at Deerfield.
Yours truly,
Allan Cameron
Pledge Leaders March 23
Chris Kelly
Noah Joseph
Riley Joseph
Cara McManus
John McManus
Dylan Ventola
Pledge Leaders March 30
Matthew McDonald
Brian Coppola
Alexandra Bean
Sarah Roycroft
Pledge Leaders April 5
Alec Sheehan
Stella Daly
Danielle Hanau
Celia Piemontese
Jared Eramo
Thomas DeMaio
Lincoln Edwards
Pledge Leaders April 13
Ryan Pezzuto
Lucas Conchinha
Nora Fortune
Katherine Keith
Madeline Witherell
Allan Cameron
Deerfield School Principal
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