Lifelong Learning: Teachers’ Summer Adventures

8/19/2026

Kerri O'Malley

This summer, our teachers traveled across the country, from the nearby shores of Monterey Bay to the mountains of Montana and the streets of NYC, to bring fresh perspectives and innovative strategies back to their classrooms.

At Children's Day School, we are always asking how we can do this better. With this phrase from our mission in mind, CDS teachers are constantly seeking out ways to grow as educators and inspire their students in new ways.

Here are some of the ways teachers deepened their practice this summer:

Starting with the “Why”: Understanding by Design

Nineteen of our faculty kicked off our faculty work week with an intensive two-day workshop on Understanding by Design (UbD). As a part of the workshop, faculty approached their units with fresh eyes and open minds. They worked one-on-one with a coach and formed small feedback groups. One participant shared, “I was able to learn a new tool and practice it for application in my work in the classroom. It was insightful and immediately practical!”

STEAM Learning for Social Good

Lucie at the DECO Educator Institute at Monterey Aquarium.

Teachers invested in STEAM at CDS spent the summer exploring some interesting, hands-on approaches to creating impactful learning experiences:

Designing STEAM Projects for Ocean Units: Second grade teacher Lucie Pereira spent a week at the Design for Equity, Community and the Ocean (DECO) Educator Institute at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Institute focuses on maker-centered learning and liberatory design, with the goal of creating a project in which students design a solution to an environmental problem. It’s a perfect fit for the second grade curriculum, which includes explorations of our city and the rocky shore.

“I am excited to bring back my learning to the second grade curriculum by incorporating more hands-on projects and potentially including more of a focus on urban ecology,” Lucie shared. “I came away from this PD feeling so inspired and am excited to return for three follow-up sessions throughout the school year. Getting to explore the Aquarium before opening hours was the cherry on top!”

Learning from Nature, Applying to the Classroom: Jo Hoffman, fifth and sixth grade science teacher, spent a week at the BBar Ranch outside of Big Sky, Montana, in a workshop called Biomimicry for Social Innovation. During the workshop led by experts in biomimicry, participants learned how to discover lessons from the natural world and apply them to their work and lives.

“We learned from the local ecosystems and our facilitators about life's principles, adaptive cycles, feedback loops, keystone species and their impacts, and so much more,” Jo shared. “It was such a treat to be in the hands of experts in biomimicry and expert facilitators, and I feel really excited to continue to ask the question, ‘How can we create classrooms that are conducive to life?’”

Sam and team at the MakerEd Jam in Colorado.

Maker Space Experiences: Sam Sevett, Innovation Lab teacher, attended MakerEd Jam this summer, working with a team to tackle design challenges similar to what he creates in the classroom.

“I’ve been reflecting on my trip to Colorado and feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity,” Sam shared. “The experience challenged me as both a teacher and a maker. It gave me new skills, ideas, and professional connections. Working with a group of colleagues on such a big project in such a short amount of time was both a ton of fun and, at times, frustrating. It felt good to stretch my empathy muscles as I took on the role of student for the week. It’s something I’ll remember for a long time.”

Fun and Functional Approaches to Foundational Skills

Literacy: Mimi Matthews and Jenny Seeds, second grade teachers, attended the virtual Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (ISME) course on the Orton-Gillingham method. This method teaches reading, writing, and spelling by linking letters, sounds, and base words to auditory and kinesthetic movements to support reading.

"I had a phenomenal time with our instructor, Aaron Franklin, who is a retired music teacher. He taught us songs and rhythms to teach our kids about spelling rules," Mimi shared. "I learned so much, and I am looking forward to implementing what I have learned to support our readers!"

"I have been interested in doing this training for some time, and I am so grateful to have had the experience," Jenny added. "I learned a lot, some of which I was fortunate enough to put into practice and integrate shortly after my training in the structured literacy camp I co-taught at campCDS."

Math: Sharyne Beza, first grade teacher, also attended ISME workshops on the Science of Reading and Foundations of Numerical Reasoning for Grades K-2.

"The Foundations of Numerical Reasoning was very helpful in building an understanding of what is happening in students' cognitive journeys to building numerical reasoning,” Sharyne shared. “Using activities, like the 3-act tasks, allows us to meet kids where they are, at different skill levels and experiences, and help them access a math concept or problem.”

Growing as Educators and Leaders

Dan working on her Master's at Teachers college in NYC.

Dan Hicban, third grade teacher, is enrolled in a Master’s program for Private School Leadership at Teachers College in NYC.

"This summer focused on the operational aspects of leadership, including the legal matters in schools, finance/development, and strategic communications,” Dan shared. “A major takeaway that will immediately affect my communication as an educator is honing a voice that feels authentically me in emails, blog posts, and presentations.

Dan also discovered an interest in the financial aspects of schools and is eager to learn more about how she can support CDS's development efforts and serve as a teacher voice in administrative planning.

Andy Garron, seventh and eighth grade math teacher, attended the California Teacher Development Collaborative Teaching Foundations program this summer. The program supports teachers by strengthening essential skills and promoting educator and student well-being, and topics include identity and culture, lesson design, professional relationships, communication, and career sustainability. Led by experienced educators, the program provides practical guidance in inclusive teaching, classroom management, assessment, and leadership.

“I've been having a good time learning from experienced educators,” Andy shared. “I feel much more confident when it comes to planning, and I also have a refreshed and deeper appreciation for relationship-building in the classroom. I can't wait to apply what I've learned!”

More to Look Forward to in PE

Sonia Pinto-Torres, lower school PE teacher, attended the NC SHAPE National PE Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, where she received and shared expert advice, ideas, and research-based philosophies. “I came away with some exciting ideas to incorporate into my dance instruction, as well as many new songs and games to increase student engagement,” Sonia shared. “I can’t wait to try out some of these!"

Rhonda learning from Ernest Kahn.

Yo-yo-ing has become one of the most popular pastimes on the CDS yard, and Rhonda Ross, our head lower school PE teacher, has encouraged our students to learn more. This summer, Rhonda got a chance to expand on her own skills by working with Ernest Kahn, a two-time Philippine National Yo-Yo Champion. She learned a lot and is excited to share it with CDS students this fall! “The biggest takeaway for me was being a student again and experiencing the frustration and joy of learning something new," Rhonda shared.

We’re so excited to see these lessons and inspirations show up in the CDS student experience this year!

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