As an independent school, Pingree School is committed to using its freedom and responsibility to forward belonging and equity not only on its campus but in independent schools at large through its mentorship of aspiring educators. Since 2016, the school’s two-year fellowship program has sought to inspire, educate, and prepare aspiring teachers from underrepresented backgrounds in independent schools for careers in education.
Partnered with seasoned educators, two fellows selected bi-annually are given scaffolded opportunities to participate fully in the life of the school: teaching, coaching, advising, and shadowing administrative offices over two years. As they grow in skill and confidence, fellows assume more responsibility and independence both in the classroom and their co-curricular activities. In their second year, fellows begin to teach their own electives in a reduced load that increases reflection, feedback, and the likelihood of success.
Now five years into running this program, fellows have enriched the Pingree community beyond expectation: they have used their backgrounds and passions to develop engaging electives; facilitated student groups and affinity spaces, coached teams, chaperoned student trips, participated on committees, and cultivated deep relationships across our community.
Where are they now?
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Rebekah Lofgren, one of our first two fellows, now teaches history and coaches lacrosse at The Taft School in Watertown, CT. She is also pursuing a degree through Klingenstein Center, Teachers College, Columbia University.
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Jim DiCenzo, our second Cycle One fellow, teaches Spanish at Pingree and is the head coach of our boys varsity soccer team.
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Maya Leete, one of Cycle Two fellows, now teaches math at Westminster School in Simsbury, CT.
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Ashley Erin Dotson, the second Cycle Two fellow, is pursuing a master’s degree in architecture at Harvard Graduate School of Design on a full scholarship. Additionally, she teaches studio art at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts and served as an instructor at Rhode Island School of Design’s Advanced Program for High School Students.
Current Fellows: Pingree is currently hosting two second-year fellows. Aahnix Bathurst (5) is a fellow in the science department, and Cam Kaplan (6) is a fellow in the English department.
The application period for the next cycle of Pingree Fellows is now open. Click here to learn more about the program and apply.