Announcing dynamic additions to Summit School teaching staff

May 8, 2017

One of Summit’s top strategic goals over the past several years has been the creation of a full-time Mathematics Specialist role to further enrich our mathematics program.

It gives me great pleasure to announce that Summit’s sound financial planning and recent fundraising success will allow us to make this goal a reality for the 2017-2018 school year.

Molly Danforth will be Summit’s new full-time Math Specialist for Kindergarten through fifth grade next year.  A National Board Certified Teacher, with Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Elementary Education, Ms. Danforth has taught at Summit since 2007.  Her passion for mathematics and extensive experience inspiring students to develop the math knowledge, understanding and skills they require to excel, will significantly bolster our elementary math program.

As our Math Specialist, Ms. Danforth will provide additional differentiated mathematics instruction to students in Kindergarten through fifth grade in a variety of settings, including one-on-one, small group, and whole class instruction.  The new role adds an additional layer of support to our classroom teachers, ensuring that high achieving mathematics students are adequately challenged, students on grade level make solid progress, and additional support is provided for students who require it.  The mathematics instruction all our elementary students receive will be enhanced by the creation of the Math Specialist role.

I’m also delighted to announce that Faith Angelakis will be our new Second Grade Teacher for the coming year.  Mrs. Angelakis is best known to our community as our Literacy Specialist, and her recent experience teaching third grade has fueled her desire to return to a homeroom teaching role. Over her twenty four year teaching C.A.R.E.er, Mrs. Angelakis has taught every grade between Kindergarten and seventh, and is particularly excited about returning to second grade.  She holds a Masters Degree and teaching certificate in Elementary Education, and her extensive experience includes working as teacher consultant and trainer for the Everyday Mathematics company, designing and scoring teacher evaluation portfolios, and teaching special education. The Math Specialist position allows Summit to augment the learning support we provide elementary students at all learning levels.

In addition, please join me in welcoming Samantha Arce to Summit as our new Third Grade Teacher for next year.  Ms. Arce is a graduate of the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University, and is completing her Masters Degree in Instructional Leadership, with an emphasis in Math and Literacy Education.  Ms. Arce began her teaching C.A.R.E.er as a student teacher under Summit teachers Molly Danforth and Erin Vosseller, and her four years as an full-time elementary teacher since that time have equipped her well for teaching third grade at Summit. In the words of one of her supervisors, Ms. Arce’s “performance was stellar, and she demonstrated a strong ability to connect research with her practice as an educator and teacher-leader.”  This assessment was confirmed to the search committee as we observed her teach a sample lesson with the skill and seasoning of a veteran Summit teacher.

As we wrap up this school year, we eagerly anticipate the positive impact the new Math Specialist role and these outstanding teachers will have in challenging our students intellectual, social and character growth in the years to come.

Forward together,
Mark Bistricky, M.Ed.
Head of School
Summit School

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