Horace Mann - Winter 2012 - (Page 33)

news of the school tion, and willingness to work have been a priceless inspiration for me.” Merlo thanked Tina and David bellet for initiating the award process that enabled her to reflect on her goals as a teacher. She also thanked the Horace Mann School community for the opportunity to teach at HM, and “for the longtime support” of the “administration in creating the Spanish curriculum at the lower Division. Without the teamwork of my colleagues, Marielle coadic and carole ellis, the curriculum would not be where it is today. This incredible place is the main reason i chose to stay in the United States.” Merlo gives back to HM as well, translating technological knowledge she gained through HM professional development opportunities into technology training for her colleagues. She also co-writes curriculum guidelines— and even teaches pilates on campus. “Monica’s training and creative brilliance breathe life into a colorful and engaging lower Division Spanish curriculum,” noted Dr. Kelly. That life-changing experience led how i teach, i would like to have you help Ho to his career as a music and music me remember this night through song.” picking up a ukulele—Hawaii’s history teacher who holds advanced iconic instrument—Ho strummed as degrees in ethnomusicology. Ho’s he strolled from table to table, singclasses employ Hawaiian storytelling, ing in his mellifluous voice. as he combined with formal Western music education traditions. Horace Mann went through each stanza of ingrid Michaelson’s “The Way i am” he dem- School’s professional development programs have given him opportunionstrated “Mr. Ho’s awesome Singing ties to pursue interests in such things basics.” as Jewish music, participate in music “number one—no stalkers” he said, festivals, and master the technology gesturing the guests to join in. “Two: he implements in his courses, he wrote no Muppets—sing through an ‘o’. Three: Strong and Wrong,” he urged the with appreciation. singers to take risks. “four: Know with whom you can joke freely. five: Don’t nominEES HonoRED take yourself too seriously. Six: Have Honoring the 2011 bellet award fun! Seven: break a leg!” nominees, lower Division Head Wendy little by little the guests joined in. Steinthal described Katie Diaz as a This teacher’s encouraging charm has lover of technology turned into a lover helped the most retiring students enjoy of teaching, whose work as head of singing and playing an instrument. the Division’s science department has Some have even discovered a hidden made her “a real connector” with the talent and new love of music. Ho’s dedi- other departments in the Division. cation was apparent that evening. or, Steinthal and nursery Division Head as Dr. Kelly said of the singer/teacher: Marcia levy described how music “Tim, you had us at aloha.” teacher barbara Marin plies her magical in his teaching statement Ho deabilities with young children on two TimoTHy Ho: GivinG voicE To aLL scribed an experience that showed him campuses, encouraging their musical Guests participating in the award dinner he could make “a difference in the lives growth. and Upper Division Head Dr. got a taste of the passion that Tim Ho of others” through music. “i was 13. as David Schiller spoke about his english brings to his lessons when he expressed i and my 449 fellow freshmen settled department colleague Harry bauld thus: his appreciation for his honor through into our gymnasium to rehearse for the “i have watched Harry teach for almost song. in so doing he demonstrated how upcoming Song contest my stomach 30 years. His students love him.” $ he, literally, helps students find a voice. sank as i realized the teacher was a native of Hawaii, Ho told those absent and that gathered that kumu, or teacher in i, by default as Hawaiian, “is the same as the word for the Song contest tree, or the part of the tree that conleader, would have nects with the earth. it also means to improvise a ‘foundation’ and ‘origin’. in Hawaiian lesson on the spot. thinking, a kumu, a teacher, must not My class finished only provide knowledge to students, only about eight but also stability, structure, inspiration, measures of music understanding, and nurturing. Music that day, but i reand Hawaiian culture are completely member feeling a linked,” he said, explaining why he tremendous sense turns to his early cultural influences in of accomplishbuilding a foundation for his students to ment for having connect with music. taught my class“i want my students to experience mates those 32 the joy they can find through music and counts of music. help them build laulima—communities Those 55 minutes david and Tina bellet appreciated the words of the winners of the teaching excellence award they endowed at horace mann. that are uplifting. rather than telling you changed my life.” photo by Ruth Seligman Horace mann magazine Winter 2012 33

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