by Alexis Hopper, Program Coordinator
Of all the meanings and usage of the word “bridge,” my favorite has to be “a time, place, or means of connection or transition” (Merriam-Webster’s dictionary).
Academy’s teacher workshop, held this past Saturday at our learning space in San Marino, was just that—a means of connecting as we transition into the new winter session. More than an opportunity to introduce our new teachers, to share best teaching practices, and to discuss ways to improve ourselves as mentors and life-long learners, this workshop gave us space and time to celebrate the gift of working with such amazing kids—as a team.
At the end of the day, our teachers were divided into two teams, each with the task of building half a bridge. As each group worked in separate rooms, several creative challenges were presented, and only one opportunity for the two teams to communicate on the design and construction was allowed. When all was said and done, the two groups came together to connect each half of the bridge. What resulted was an engineering triumph and creative masterpiece as the first bridge ever to be buttressed by a balloon and tea box!
All kidding aside, our Academy team would like to extend our deepest thanks to all of our instructors for sharing their brilliance, passion for teaching, love for learning, and spirit of discovery and play. The bridges you build to support our children today are the same that lead them to tomorrow.
Back row from left to right: Elaine Martinez, Summer Ebs, Alessandra Santucci, Grayson Kent, Neel Tiruviluamala, Kunal Gogna;
Front row from left to right: Ellen Brown, Christina Seto, Toby Jacobrown, Alexis Hopper