Horace Mann - Winter 2012 - (Page 32)

news of the school Timothy ho monica merlo professional Development, who also coordinates the bellet award. “The award gives teaching colleagues, alumni, and parents who submit nominations a chance to think about teachers who have inspired them or have made a difference in their children’s lives. The nominated teachers prepare statements and a portfolio describing their teaching ideas and approach. bellet award committee members read the portfolios and visit the nominees’ classrooms to experience the teaching environment each candidate creates,” said Dr. Tischler. “The process provides an opportunity for teachers to reflect on their own teaching values and practices, and for committee members to learn how HM teachers connect curriculum throughout the school. The bellet award reminds us how diverse teaching excellence is.” in remarks to guests at the May 16, 2011 award dinner, Head of School Dr. Tom Kelly expressed gratitude for being “privileged to be a part of an exceptional collaboration of teachers and students, parents, trustees, staff and alumni. The theme of this collaboration is teaching; not just students, but teaching ourselves as well. The brilliance of a colleague inspires our increased efforts; the searing insight of a curious young person points to the need for reflection; and the concerns of a parent or staff member engender a display of compassion.” 32 Horace mann magazine Winter 2012 arts in philadelphia. earning degrees in culture and communication and Teaching foreign languages to young Students at columbia University’s Teachers college, she also studied teaching Spanish, in Spain. Merlo brings all these skills to her classroom today. as she wrote, “i believe my banking background has helped me in the organizational aspect of planning and teaching, while my passion for movement has guided me in creating communicative activities to bring the Spanish language alive within the classroom.” Merlo grew up speaking Spanish, italian, German, and later studied french and english. “being able to speak five languages and to communicate with people from other countries has always brought richness to my life. That’s what i would love my students to achieve,” she wrote. “learning a language often feels like jumping into monica mERLo: BRinGinG muLTicold water and not being sure how to PLE SKiLLS To THE cLaSSRoom swim. yet, once you learn, you find out Monica Merlo came to her cherished how wonderful it feels to float. i work teaching position through a circuitous on creating a place where the children route. Merlo first pursued a degree in feel safe enough to take the risk to jump business administration and a career in into the water and gain confidence banking—an “inevitable” step for some- speaking Spanish.” one who grew up in the “the banking enThe lower Division’s Spanish curvironment of Zurich.” She left the world riculum enables Merlo to follow her of finance to move to the U.S. to pursue students from first through fifth grade, dance and education studies, and to when they are introduced to foreign lanperfect her english, in the dance educa- guage studies and develop into speaktion department of The University of the ers. “The children’s curiosity, motivaThis collaboration was on display at the dinner, as Dr. Tischler stepped in to deliver Dr. Kelly’s words. felled by a severe cold, Dr. Kelly was forced to log in a rare absence from a Horace Mann School event. both 2011 bellet honorees are known for their vibrant teaching. both also harnessed skills and talents in several areas when they chose to focus their life’s work on teaching. Dr. Kelly quoted several students in describing Merlo. “i love her class. i love the way we get to use the Smartboard to practice new vocabulary. i love her and i don’t even have her!” Sharing the thoughts of a class of 2008 HM alumnus about Timothy Ho, Dr. Kelly quoted, “With so much talent and expertise, it would be easy to develop a huge ego, but Mr. Ho’s humility and gratitude are undeniable. i am blessed to have had Mr. Ho as a teacher.” photos by Ruth Seligman

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Horace Mann - Winter 2012

Horace Mann - Winter 2012
Contents
Letters
Greetings from Dr. Tom Kelly
Greetings from Melissa Parento ’90
Horace Mann School’s 125th Anniversary Observances Begin
Strategic Thinking
New Initiatives in Institutional Research and Admissions
HM's New Director of College Counseling
Timothy HO and Monica Merlo are 2011 Tina and Dave Bellet Teaching Excellence Award Winners
Langfan Oratorical Contest, 2011
Horace Mann School Graduates 178 in June, 2011
Alumni Council Corner
Bookshelf
Class Notes
Memorials
Philanthropy and You

Horace Mann - Winter 2012