Greenwich Education

Since joining our team in May, Nina has quickly distinguished herself as an outstanding teacher, coach, and mentor. She brings a wealth of experiences to GEP: her background in teaching at private schools in Greenwich and Boston; her two Division 1 NCAA championships in rowing as a co-captain at Brown; her tenure as a coach for kids of all ages; her advanced studies in the performing arts; and her career as a professional actress on stage and screen.

Nina graduated from Brown with a BA in Africana Studies, and later went on to earn her MFA in Acting at the American Conservatory Theater. A.C.T. has served as a theatrical training ground to such actors as Denzel Washington, Annette Bening, Anika Noni Rose, Benjamin Bratt, Elizabeth Banks, and many others. Nina has worked regionally in theater as well as in national commercials (Verizon, Coca-Cola, Dove, UBS, Lowes, and more) and television (All My Children).” Check out her acting website here: www.ninafreeman.net

As a faculty member of the English and Performing Arts Department at Noble and Greenough School, Nina taught high school drama and directed the middle school play, which received national acclaim. In addition to working with GEP students on reading, writing, test prep, Spanish, and study and organizational skills, Nina also plays a prominent role in our art department. She teaches a variety of courses and workshops in the performing arts, including Acting for the Camera, Acting for the Stage, Shakespeare and Classical Text, Dialects/Speech, Directing, Playwriting, Movement, and Audition Technique.

Those of you who attended GEP’s creative writing event in the spring had the opportunity to hear Nina perform firsthand. Her powerful readings of the winning middle school and high school short stories were unforgettable.

We caught up with Nina to ask her what inspires her about the field of education:

What I appreciate most about the teaching profession is that it is always evolving. Every day is different. I’m not just the teacher, but a student as well and it keeps me on my toes. I am invigorated by the mutual learning that happens when my students and I exchange ideas, perspectives and stories. I come from a family of teachers, who over the years inspired me in a myriad of ways. I’m proud to follow in their footsteps. I was fortunate to have teachers who positively impacted me personally, academically, and professionally and I hope to similarly inspire and motivate my students.

GEP on the Road: Vicky Newman Attends Expository Writing Seminar at the Windward Teacher Training Institute

When asked why she recently attended the three day Teaching Basic Writing Skills Class at the Windward Teacher Training Institute, GEP’s Executive Director Vicky Newman explained, “I took this course so I could help all children improve their grammar, editing, revising and outlining skills. The program puts a major emphasis on learning how to outline before students begin writing their paragraphs. Since writing is an important life skill, I wanted to be able to help our students who have difficulty organizing their thoughts and getting those thoughts onto paper.”

The course was taught by Judith Hochman, author of the Teaching Basic Writing Skills: Strategies for Effective Expository Writing Instruction manual. Dr. Hochman is a former superintendent of schools and also a former head of the Windward School. Teachers from all around the country participated in this workshop at the nationally recognized Windward Teacher Training Institute.

A Time to be Weird

GEP Assistant Director, Katherine Hafer, above left, demonstrates how to use a circular saw, while repairing a well in Maine. Below, she blogs about this recent community service experience:

I spent the last week working at H.O.M.E., an organization based in Orland, Maine that strives to ensure life’s basic needs: shelter, food, water, education, and work. H.O.M.E. is a place that gives everyone a chance, including those who could find a chance nowhere else. It’s part of the Emmaus International movement, which serves the world’s poorest. One evening, the volunteer coordinator offered, “When you pass a person in a ditch, don’t reach your hand down to pull them out. Get down in the ditch and rise out from it with them.” Her words point to an important aspect of life at H.O.M.E.: everyone works together, respectful of the talents and the obstacles of one another.

With experience in carpentry, I was given the role of leader and mentor to the young adults, whose grades ranged from seventh to twelfth. Not only did I have the opportunity to lead a team in reinforcing a Section 8 house to make it safe and livable but I also had the chance to help teenagers from an affluent area learn to approach, empathize with, and learn from people who appear and live very differently from the way that they are used to. But most importantly, I got to teach middle schoolers how to operate a circular saw.

What stood out to me most of all was the context in which a certain word kept coming from the mouths of the young people in our group: One night after dinner, a high school girl expressed how much she appreciated time she and the other youth had to bond on their own, because they needed “time to just be weird.” I heard this word, “weird,” again and again throughout the week, and was reminded of how frequently I used it as a teen. Kids are weird.

But what does this self-declared alienation mean? I believe it is how kids express that they do not want to meet our arbitrary, adult expectations. It is an expression of their desire to be themselves, relaxed and natural, without straining to conform to (adult) societal demands. They seek to nurture their unfiltered self, this person who they are and are trying to become. And how crucial it is that we adults respect this! All people have a right to assert and fulfill themselves as they are.

Even the rising seniors of the group readily self-identified as kids. They did not hesitate to make clear how crazy they thought our adult ways are. This included everything from drinking coffee to over-planning, discussing, and managing even the simplest of events and tasks. Yet, for the most part, they always treated each other and the adults with respect. Could I say the same for the way the adults of our group treated the youth?

The experience at H.O.M.E. was not a casual one in any way. As a group, we worked together, cooked and ate together, and even slept all together in H.O.M.E.’s learning center library. At times, emotions ran high, but this allowed me to be able to get to know some of these teens on a personal level. Each time I asked one of them about their pursuits, they responded with surprise and excitement. Several of them asked if I could give them feedback on college essays. They looked at me more as an ally than an adult. I’m relieved to know that I might yet be a little weird myself.

Beat Summer Brain Drain With GEP’s Academic Programs

Did you know that students experience learning regression over the summer, losing approximately 2.6 months of grade-level equivalency in mathematical computation skills? According to the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Summer Learning, “All young people should have consistent access to high-quality summer enrichment programs throughout their educational careers.” Is your child prepared this summer? You can read more about summer brain drain at www.rif.org.

From comprehensive summer school programs to targeted academic services, GEP’s individualized educational programs can help students beat summer regression and provide enrichment throughout the summer months. According to Meredith Hafer, Director of our Greenwich office, “Providing our students with flexible educational opportunities over the summer helps keep their minds engaged as they embrace learning as a year-round, life-long activity.” Some of our most popular options:

Study & Organizational Skills – lay the foundations for future success

Summer Reading — complete, understand, and enjoy summer reading assignments

Writing Workshops — strengthen writing skills and improve written expression and organization in a variety of genres

Math Bridge Courses — prepare for Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre Calculus, or Calculus

August Transition Programs — get ready to meet new academic demands with confidence

Specialized Learning Services — make the most of the summer with ADHD coaching, multisensory reading instruction, social skills classes, speech & language therapy, behavioral interventions, and more

College Essays - take some pressure off your child’s senior year by composing stand-out college essays now

Contact Meredith Hafer at meredith@greenwichedprep.com to register for one of the programs above or discuss other academic and creative summer options.

REGISTER BY JULY 3, 2009 AND RECEIVE 10% OFF

Teacher Profile: Justin Wiest

Justin Wiest is a Fairfield County-based artist and educator. He has been teaching for GEP since September 2008 and we’re thrilled to have him working with our students this summer.

Justin received his MFA from the New York Academy of Art’s Graduate School of Figurative Art, and his BFA from The Schuler School of Fine Art. His work has been exhibited in Connecticut, New York, Maryland, and Italy. Justin’s teaching ranges from one-on-one instruction to portfolio classes, and he also teaches advanced, 300/400-level drawing and painting courses at Greenwich Education & Prep, Silvermine Arts Guild, and Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, CT. Justin has worked in conjunction with the Aldrich Museum’s Draw On program as well as well as with the NYAA-sponsored GO FIGURE outreach program for New York City high school students.

Some of Justin’s individualized, one-on-one summer workshops available through GEP:

Learn How to Support Your Child’s Social Success on May 26th at the Third Empowering Parents Event

We hope you can join us on Tuesday, May 26th for the third event in our successful Empowering Parents Speaker Series. The next topic is “Social Success: Understanding the importance of social skills in every stage of education.”

Presenter Nancy Grejtak, MA (above) is our Director of Specialized Support Services.

Parents are often concerned about their children’s social well-being, but do not know how to help them develop the skills they need to navigate interpersonal relationships. Nancy will guide parents through a student’s social world, discuss the acquisition of social skills, and explore common pitfalls at each level of development. Topics will include:

Please RSVP to rsvp@greenwichedprep.com by May 25. Coffee and refreshments will be served and childcare is available if you RSVP by May 21.

Calling Teen Writers! Deadline for Creative Writing Contest is May 18, 2009 with Exciting Awards Presentation on May 21. Come to Meet the Authors of The Nanny Diaries!

We are excited to announce that we are sponsoring a celebrity author event and creative writing contest for teens. On May 21, Emma McLaughlin and Nicole Kraus, the authors of the best-selling novel The Nanny Diaries, are coming to Greenwich Education & Prep for a special evening for aspiring authors between the ages of thirteen and twenty. They will also act as guest judges for the writing contest, choosing one middle school and one high school winner for excellence in creative short fiction. Each winner will receive a $75 gift certificate from Diane’s Books in Greenwich and will be published in an upcoming literary magazine. The deadline for the writing contest is May 18, 2009; rules and details are below.

The authors’ visit takes place on the heels of the launch of their new book for teens, The Real Real. The Real Real is a satire on the modern concept of “reality stars,” individuals who quickly go from anonymous to famous, seemingly overnight, by starring in a popular reality show. The novel, which is McLaughlin’s and Kraus’ first book for teens, revolves around just such an individual, teenager Jesse O’Rourke. Jesse becomes an instant celebrity thanks to careful scripting and editing by the show’s producers. However, as the lines between TV’s version of “reality” and actual reality start to blur, she struggles to maintain her identity and remember one thing: “The difference between real and the real real.”

This event, which will take place at the Greenwich Water Club at 49 River Road in Cos Cob on May 21st at 7:00 PM, is a rare opportunity for aspiring young authors to listen to and learn from two successful and culturally relevant authors. McLaughlin and Kraus will read from their new book, discuss their creative writing process, and answer students’ questions. As all of you know, many students don’t understand that even talented writers have to work hard to craft a finished piece of writing, to make their ideas come alive in print. We think that it will be inspiring for teens to hear professional writers discuss the challenges and rewards of the writing process. It is our hope that students will come away from this event believing that they have what it takes to be successful and effective writers.

Contest Requirements:
• Contest is open to any middle school or high school student.
• Students should submit a piece of creative fiction of no more than 1,500 words that addresses the question “What is Real?” Successful entries will be original and offer a thoughtful perspective on the writing prompt.
• All stories must be typed and double spaced; finished copies can be emailed to natasa@greenwichedprep.com or mailed to Greenwich Education & Prep, P.O. Box 391, Cos Cob, CT, 06807. Please include writer’s name, age, grade level, address, phone number and email address.
• All entries must be received by Monday, May 18, 2009.
• There will be one middle school winner and one high school winner. After finalists are chosen, Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus will select the winning entries; winners will be announced at the event on May 21st. Both winners will receive a $75 gift certificate to Diane’s Books, a family-oriented bookstore that is known for its unique and extensive collection of books for both children and adults. Diane’s Books is located right off of Greenwich Avenue at 8A Grigg Street in Greenwich.

RSVPs for the May 21st event should be emailed to rsvp@greenwichedprep.com no later than Tuesday, May 19, 2009. Teachers and parents are welcome to attend! As seating will be limited, all RSVPs must include the names of all people who will be attending in each party, as well as an email address and phone number for at least one of the party members.

We appreciate your support and look forward to receiving some great submissions by May 18th!

Recordings for the Blind & Dyslexic Visiting GE&P on May 11, 2009

For the past 60 years, Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D) has been providing audio books for students who cannot read standard print because of a learning, visual or other physical disability. The organization has a vast library of over 46,000 titles, including textbooks and other literature for students of all ages.

On May 11^th, Elizabeth Hess, the Educational Outreach Director of RFB&D, will make two presentations for area parents, teachers and school administrators describing RFB&D’s new AudioAccess™ feature. The presentations will be held in both GE&P offices.

AudioAccess™ allows RFB&D members to easily and inexpensively download audio book files to a computer. The books can be played at the computer or on a compatible Mp3 player.

To learn more about RFB&D, visit their website at www.rfbd.org or contact Elizabeth Hess at (203) 624-4334, ext. 307. RSVPs for the presentation should be sent to Nancy Grejtak, Director of Special Education Services at Greenwich Education and Prep, at ngrejtak@greenwichedprep.com.

Date: Monday, May 11 at 10am in GE&P’s New Canaan office (62 Main Street, New Canaan) and 12 pm in GE&P’s Greenwich office (49 River Road, Cos Cob).

Help Us Support Neighbor to Neighbor

We’re excited to kick off this spring season with our “Spring Cleaning” food drive to benefit Neighbor to Neighbor. Recently, Neighbor to Neighbor volunteers were featured on the front page of The Greenwich Citizen because they are currently struggling with a record-high demand for food, yet rapidly waning supplies.

This is the perfect opportunity to help the hungry by donating unused food items while giving your pantry a little “Spring Cleaning” in the process! If you would like to contribute, please stop by our office in the Greenwich Water Club in Cos Cob (49 River Road, Building 4, 2^nd Floor). If every GEP student brings just three food items with them to their weekly session, we could end up making an enormous positive impact on our community. Any and all donations would be greatly appreciated!

Above, Meredith Hafer, Liz Rice and Natasa Racic display some recently donated items. Please help us come to the aid of those less fortunate.

Go Team! Join Us on June 7 and Help Fight Autism

Greenwich Education and Prep is participating in Autism Speaks’ Walk Now for Autism on June 7 at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY, and we’re recruiting members for our team and seeking donations to help us reach our fundraising goal of $20,000. Please join us in our fight to make a difference in the lives of the more than 1 million Americans living with autism today.

We are participating in this great event to help find a cure for autism. Autism is the second most common developmental disorder in the United States affecting one in every 150 children born today. Despite some promising discoveries, the cause of autism is unknown and a cure does not exist. Research is crucial. Every 20 minutes another child is diagnosed with autism. Not only must we find ways to improve the quality of life for children and adults with autism, but we also must find a cure, and soon.

Walk Now for Autism is our chance to make a difference in the fight against autism by raising money for autism research and heightening public awareness. Please join us in our fight as we raise money to help fund essential research. You can donate to Walk Now for Autism and/or join our team online using the links at the bottom of this page. Donations can also be mailed to Autism Speaks using the donation form located on our page or send GEP a check made out to Autism Speaks.

Thank you for taking an important step in the fight against autism.

Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Autism Speaks 501 (C)(3) Tax Id #: 20-2329938

Matching gift program: Many companies provide their employees with matching gifts. Please consult your employer on its matching gift guidelines and attach matching gift forms accordingly.

Greenwich Education and Prep will match the first $10 of any donations made by our employees, contractors, and affiliates. We encourage you to give more if you can, but every donation helps!

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Teacher Profile: Nina Freeman Hanlon