In this interview, we explore the remarkable journey of Joan Gillman, a Science Teacher at The Browning School, as she shares her passion for education and the environment. With 43 years of continuous service in the classroom, Joan has touched the lives of countless students, helping them develop into lifelong learners and responsible citizens. We delve into Joan’s experiences as a teacher, her leadership with the Green Team, and her deep commitment to fostering environmental awareness. Discover how Joan integrates technology into her teaching, the challenges she’s faced, and her aspirations for the future of education.
Passion for Teaching and the Importance of Education
Joan Gillman believes that teaching is one of the most important professions, as it prepares the next generation to navigate the world. She finds immense pleasure in seeing students develop a passion for learning and aims to inspire lifelong learners. At The Browning School, Joan teaches both lower and middle school science. This year, she is responsible for four second-grade classes, two fourth-grade classes, one fifth-grade class, and one section of sixth grade. In addition, Joan serves as an advisor to a group of sixth-grade boys. She also leads the school’s Green Team, an all-school club focused on sustainability, where students participate in fundraisers and environmental initiatives such as Central Park cleanups.
Early Interest in Teaching and the Value of Inclusiveness
Joan’s passion for teaching developed during high school, where she fulfilled a community service requirement by working with younger children. Whether it was teaching elementary school students how to play recorder or tutoring math, Joan enjoyed making a difference. She fondly remembers teaching children how to swim, including special-needs students, and working as a substitute ballet teacher. Joan’s focus on inclusiveness has been central to her teaching philosophy. She strives to give every student the opportunity to shine, whether in academics or extracurricular activities, and emphasizes the importance of compassion, dignity, and respect when working with others.
Educational Journey and Diverse Teaching Experience
Joan holds a B.A. in Elementary Education K-8 from Felician College (now Felician University), where she graduated Summa Cum Laude, and an M.A. in Education for the Hearing Impaired K-12 from New York University. Her teaching career began in the South Bronx, and since then, she has taught at various independent, religious, and public schools. Prior to her current role at The Browning School, Joan taught fifth and sixth-grade science at the Calhoun School, where she also ran science and math electives. Throughout her career, Joan has consistently aimed to make a positive impact on her students’ lives.
Commitment to Environmental Education and Green Team Leadership
As a leader of The Green Team at The Browning School, Joan is dedicated to fostering environmental consciousness in her students. Through various initiatives like Central Park cleanups and the school’s annual Biodiversity Day, she helps students understand the importance of preserving the planet. One of Joan’s proudest moments came when a sixth-grade student, inspired by a lesson on water shortages, joined the Green Team and helped raise over $1,000 for water.org through a fundraiser. Joan firmly believes that small changes can make a big difference, and she encourages her students to take practical steps to reduce their carbon footprints.
Navigating Technological Advancements in Education
Over the years, Joan has witnessed the transformative impact of technology in the classroom. When she began her teaching career in 1982, chalkboards were the norm, but today, classrooms at The Browning School are equipped with SmartBoards and Chromebooks. Joan appreciates how technology has enhanced her teaching, allowing her to present information in more dynamic and accessible ways. She uses different online platforms—Seesaw, Google Classroom, and Canvas—depending on the age group of her students. This year, Joan is also learning a new platform, Toddle, which she plans to implement with her fifth-grade class.
Challenges and Adaptations as an Educator
One of the biggest challenges Joan faces as an educator is keeping up with technological advancements. When technology first entered her classroom, Joan had to quickly adapt, but now, it has become an integral part of her teaching. While she values the benefits of technology, Joan remains cautious about its influence, ensuring that it enhances rather than detracts from the students’ learning experience. As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent, Joan believes that educators must strike a balance between technological integration and the development of students’ own skills.
Collaboration and Teamwork at The Browning School
Joan feels fortunate to work alongside dedicated professionals at The Browning School. Weekly faculty and grade-level meetings provide opportunities for collaboration and strategy sharing, ensuring that students receive the best possible education. Joan’s involvement in the school’s annual Capstone Project is a testament to this collaborative spirit. Each year, the project uses an interdisciplinary approach to learning, and Joan’s students have taken on creative endeavors such as researching animals for the science labs. Joan’s leadership, alongside the support of her fellow teachers, has made this initiative a success.
Future Goals for Environmental and Educational Collaboration
As a leader of The Green Team, Joan has initiated partnerships with other schools to work on joint environmental projects. Last year, her team visited an all-girls school, fostering collaboration between the students. Inspired by the success of this project, Joan plans to continue expanding these efforts, including organizing more Central Park cleanups. Joan values honesty, diligence, and creativity in her collaborators, qualities that have been instrumental in the success of her environmental initiatives. Her ultimate goal is to empower her students to become environmental advocates who will continue to make a positive impact on the world.
The Future of AI in Education
As Joan Gillman pointed out, the use of AI technology is still in its infancy, but it is bound to become much more widespread in education. She believes it is crucial to ensure that AI enhances the learning experience without diminishing the students’ ability to develop their own skills. Joan emphasizes that every new technology needs to be approached with caution, as it must serve as a complement to education, not a substitute for essential student development. This balanced perspective reflects her thoughtful approach to embracing advancements while prioritizing the core mission of teaching.
Equity and Inclusion at The Browning School
Joan admires The Browning School’s deep commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). She appreciates how these values are embedded into the curriculum through relevant assemblies, school events, and student organizations. Upper School students participate in national workshops and conferences, such as the NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC), and Browning professionals are encouraged to engage in professional development opportunities on EDI topics. Joan has also seen how the Parent Equity Council, working with the Director of Equitable Practices and Social Impact, plays an active role in promoting inclusiveness within the school community.
Joan takes pride in how Browning’s commitment to equity allowed her to teach a unit on “Hurricane Relief and Environmental Racism” to her sixth-grade science students. The unit involved evaluating the mission statements of relief organizations and assessing whether these organizations followed their missions when responding to major hurricanes. The students were tasked with identifying biases and proposing solutions to address these inequities. This initiative, while challenging, helped students gain valuable insights into real-world issues and develop critical thinking skills.
Sharing Knowledge Through Conferences
One of the joys of Joan’s career has been the opportunity to share her strategies and techniques with fellow educators at numerous professional conferences. She recalls her early experiences teaching workshops at the ATIS (Association of Independent Schools) Conferences, and later expanding her reach at NSTA, STANYS, SCONYC, and NYSAIS Diversity Symposium conferences. Workshops like “Equity and Diversity in the STEM Classroom” and “Let’s Put the Fun Back in Fungi” reflect Joan’s dedication to making science education both engaging and inclusive. Her efforts have allowed her to not only influence her students but also inspire educators across the country.
In addition to presenting, Joan recently helped organize the SCONYC Conference, which was a significant milestone in her career. Despite the hard work involved in planning the event, Joan found the experience highly rewarding, as it provided attendees with valuable tools and insights that would enhance their teaching practices.
The Importance of Professional Development
For Joan, attending professional development opportunities has been essential to maintaining her enthusiasm and staying current in the field of education. She attributes her long and fulfilling career to her willingness to embrace new techniques and ideas learned through workshops and science conferences. Joan advises fellow educators to continue their professional growth, maintain a sense of humor, and never hesitate to ask for help from colleagues. Teaching, while challenging, remains one of the most rewarding careers, and Joan believes that the best days for educators lie just ahead.
Memorable Moments in the Classroom
Joan vividly recalls teaching a group of sixth graders during the space shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986. The excitement her students felt about a teacher being one of the passengers turned to sorrow upon hearing the tragic news. This moment made Joan realize the important role teachers play in helping students process difficult events. Her sensitivity and care during such a challenging time demonstrated the profound impact educators have on their students’ lives.
Hands-On Learning in Science Education
Joan’s commitment to hands-on learning stems from her early teaching experiences, particularly during her time as a student teacher at P.S. 47 Junior High School for the Deaf. She saw firsthand how profoundly deaf students could grasp complex scientific concepts through interactive learning. In an engineering unit, her students built working models of amusement park rides, demonstrating their understanding of scientific principles. This experience reinforced Joan’s belief in the power of hands-on activities, a philosophy she has carried with her throughout her teaching career.
Achievements and Lifelong Learning
Receiving the Urhy Teacher of the Year award at The Calhoun School in 2017 remains one of Joan’s happiest moments as an educator. This recognition of her dedication to her students was a significant milestone, reinforcing her belief in the value of lifelong learning. Joan continues to model this behavior by pursuing professional development opportunities. Among the workshops she has attended are courses at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Agency and the American Museum of Natural History, where she expanded her knowledge in astronomy, paleontology, and climate change.
Joan’s curiosity and passion for science led her to become a National Geographic Certified Educator, an achievement that highlights her dedication to using storytelling, exploration, and science in her teaching practices. In her classroom, she incorporates unique hands-on projects, such as an oil spill simulation, to help students comprehend the environmental impact of human actions and inspire them to make positive changes.
Continuous Growth as an Educator
Most recently, Joan took part in the Modern Classroom Project, a five-week online course designed to help educators create self-paced learning environments that meet the needs of all students. The lessons she learned from this course have already found their way into her classroom, reflecting Joan’s ongoing commitment to professional growth and innovation in teaching.
In conclusion, Joan Gillman’s journey as an educator has been defined by her unwavering commitment to inspiring students and fostering a love for learning. Through her innovative teaching methods, dedication to professional development, and passion for equity and diversity, she has made a lasting impact on both her students and her fellow educators. Her experiences, from teaching science to leading workshops and conferences, highlight her belief in the power of hands-on learning and the importance of lifelong growth. Joan continues to leave a remarkable legacy, empowering future generations to embrace curiosity and pursue knowledge.
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