At Franklin Academy, we know that when our teachers grow, our students thrive. Faculty members actively seek out grants and professional development opportunities to bring fresh ideas, research-based strategies, and cutting-edge content into our classrooms. This summer, three of our faculty members—Amy Paxson (Humanities Department Chair), Amy Bigelow (Math Department Chair), and Michael Park (Math Instructor)—were selected for prestigious national programs that will directly benefit our students’ learning and growth.
Teaching the Whole Student Through Art
Amy Paxson, Humanities Department Chair, was chosen through a competitive application process to attend Teaching the Whole Student through Art, a two-day teacher institute organized by The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
The program explored how integrating the arts across all subjects encourages engagement, critical thinking, and social-emotional development. Participants learned from leaders in the field, including Shari Tishman, Senior Research Associate at Harvard Project Zero and author of Artful Thinking and Slow Looking, as well as Julie Carmean, Senior Museum Educator at the NGA, and internationally renowned portrait artist Rose Frantzen.
Representing our region alongside nine other Connecticut educators, Amy attended sessions hosted at the Figge Museum in Davenport, Iowa, with travel, accommodations, and meals covered by the program.
This fall, she will share strategies with the Humanities Department and look at how to integrate new art analysis activities across classes. Her goal: to help students strengthen their observational skills, critical thinking, and creativity.
Data Science, Math, and More
Amy Bigelow, Math Department Chair, pursued multiple professional development opportunities through grant support.
- Data Science & AI: With funding from North Carolina State University, she attended the Summer Data Science Institute at the North Carolina School for Science and Mathematics. Sessions on the ethical use of AI helped Franklin shape its shared language around responsible use of generative AI. She also identified ways to integrate data science concepts into courses ranging from Math for Life to UConn Calculus.
- Computer Science Education: Thanks to support from Amazon Future Engineer, Amy attended the Computer Science Teachers Association Conference in Cleveland. Highlights included learning how to teach quantum computing accessibly, creating digital art through coding, and using Jupyter notebooks for blended coding and explanation.
- Mathematics for All: With a grant from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ Mathematical Education Trust, she attended the Math Association of America’s MathFest in Sacramento and will present this fall at the NCTM Annual Conference in Atlanta on strategies for teaching math to neurodiverse students. Workshops on cryptography, math for social justice, scaffolding, real-world data, and ethical reasoning are already influencing her elective courses and shaping math instruction across the department.
Expanding Cybersecurity at Franklin
With funding from the Cyber Innovation Center and EdCon Conference organizers, Amy Bigelow and Michael Park, Math Instructor, attended the EdCon Conference. Together, they trained in the CYBER.ORG curriculum, which prepares students from novice level through readiness for CompTIA Security+ certification. They also explored hands-on methods for teaching encryption, online games that build cybersecurity skills, and strategies for supporting neurodiverse learners in computer science.
Building on what he learned, Michael will be incorporating new tools and resources from the conference into a brand-new Cybersecurity course. He is also exploring how this curriculum can expand into a Summer Program path, opening up new opportunities for students to develop real-world technical skills in one of the fastest-growing fields today.
Bringing It Back to Franklin
From art integration to AI ethics, from quantum computing to cybersecurity defense, Franklin teachers are ensuring that our curriculum remains innovative, relevant, and inclusive. By pursuing professional development and earning competitive grants, our faculty bring back strategies and opportunities that enrich every student’s learning journey.
At Franklin Academy, grants and professional development opportunities are not just investments in teachers—they are investments in the future of our students.
