Local teacher chosen for prestigious NAIS program
Roslyn’s Buckley Country Day School recently congratulated Gina Sipley on being selected by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) to participate in their annual Teacher of the Future program. The Forest Hills resident was chosen along with 20 other teachers nationwide who inspire academic excellence and prominent teacher leadership. NAIS believes in high quality education for the 21st century, and focuses on nominees who excel in teaching environmentalism, globalism, equity and justice in conjunction with their use of technology in and out of the classroom.
Headmaster Dr. Jean-Marc Juhel of Buckley says, “Mrs. Sipley is an example of the type of growth-minded professionals that Buckley wants to continue to attract and support.”
Nominated by a fellow colleague and peer, the Garden City native will be leading a online discussion forum designed to share successful strategies and innovative ideas with the independent school community to develop the best practices, along with new skills in technology that are beneficial to the material and students. The program aims to provide a valuable networking opportunity between teachers of independent schools across the country, and gives them a chance to discuss topics relevant to their profession. Sipley will also create a demonstration teaching video in order to inspire others and spread the “tips and tricks” in mastering the craft of educating that will be posted on NAIS’s online community and the NAIS iTunes U website. This will be her third year at Buckley and prior to that, had been teaching a variety of education and age levels for a decade.
The H. Frank Carey High School alum advocates the use of incorporating new age technology such as iPads and SMARTBoards, used in most of Buckley’s classrooms, to connect on a stronger level with students and give them hands-on experience. Using these means of technology results in more in-class time to focus on the individual needs of each student. Along with her passion for English, Sipley is also involved with humanities, environmentalism, and sustainability to adapt to an ever-changing environment. This inspiring growth mindset allows her to continue learning and growing as an educator and as a person.
“Anything is possible,” says Mrs. Sipley. “It is a great time to be an educator.”
Securing a Bachelor of Arts in English literature and creative writing, a Master of Arts in English, and a Master of Education in middle and secondary education, Gina Sipley has been an extremely active and accomplished member of the professional education field and continues to gain recognition for her outstanding teaching and care. She is deeply involved in a monthly seminar at Buckley held with fellow colleagues and faculty to discuss management and leadership. Past prestigious recognitions include a Klingenstein Summer Institute Fellowship, as well as The Thomas J. Reid Excellence in Teaching Award received by the headmaster and assistant heads based upon the quality of instruction and strong commitment to Buckley. This November she will be a presenter at the Conference on English Leadership at the National Convention for the National Council of Teachers of English. A grant received by Sipley will give her the opportunity this summer to work with fellow Buckley English teacher, Barbara Thomas, on designing a new comprehensive vocabulary curriculum for Buckley s-tudents in grades 5-8.
