From the Desk of the Head of School- April 17, 2020

4/17/2020

Dear Harding Academy Community,

Happy Friday, another week in the books and I imagine we are all welcoming the weekend. By now I am sure you all have heard Governor Lee’s strong recommendation that schools in the state remain out through the end of the school year. While it was not unexpected, it still feels shocking. For Harding Academy it means we will remain in our remote learning model through May 20, 2020. That is, our last academic day of instruction will be on Wednesday, May 20.

Having some sense that this was a distinct possibility, the Leadership Team began zeroing in on those events this week - like Field Day, Spring Arts Festival, Awards assemblies - we had postponed in the hopes we could return and have begun the reimagination process. Of special note are those celebrations, traditions, and rituals that feature our 8th grade students and we have some special moments in the works for that group. Since we are no longer able to meet for graduation on May 22, we are now targeting June 26 at 9:00 AM for our graduation ceremony.

More immediately, I want to announce two community-wide opportunities to connect. First, I will be hosting a Google Meet for any parent who is interested in joining in next Wednesday, April 22 in the morning. We will be sending out a registration form with the opportunity to submit questions which I will answer as best as I can. We will also have key members of the Leadership Team available as well. Second, we will be having our first live stream assembly for the school on Tuesday, April 28 at 9:00 AM. You will hear more details about that next week.

In a typical school year, we are working to prepare for the upcoming year, especially as it relates to hiring. This year is no different and I wanted to update you all on our process thus far. First, Amy Gartenberg who joined Harding Academy two years ago as our second full time counselor and who has made an immediate and positive impact on the culture of the school, will be moving to Harpeth Hall as their Middle School Counselor. We wish Amy luck and have begun a national search for her replacement.

We have concluded the searches for our Second Grade, Third Grade and Fifth Grade positions.

Catherine Vrettos, ‘94 will return to Harding Academy in a full time role next year in Second Grade. After graduating from Duke University and attaining her MALS in American Studies from Georgetown University, Catherine began her teaching career at Overbrook in the Kindergarten and Four Year Old program, moving into the role of Enrichment Team Leader for Grades 1-4. In 2006, she joined Harding as our Computer teacher and Technology Team Leader until she left in 2014. In the last two years, Catherine has returned to the classroom as a long term sub and we are excited for her to be back full time starting next year.

Blythe Cate, ‘05 will be our new Third Grade teacher next year. Blythe earned a BA in Creative Writing from Hendrix College and a Master of Education with a Reading Specialty from Lipscomb University. She began her teaching career at Nashville Classical Charter School as a Kindergarten Co-Teacher before moving into a Reading Intervention Teacher position. After Nashville Classical Carter, Blythe moved to the Episcopal School of Nashville where she taught First Grade Homeroom, was the Lower School Reading Specialist and designed and implemented the Fifth Grade English program. We are excited to welcome Blythe back to Harding Academy.

Jennifer Belcher will be our new 5th Grade Writing teacher. Jennifer graduated from West Virginia State University with a BA in Elementary Education and a minor in Social Studies for grades 5 through 9. Soon thereafter she earned her Masters in Elementary Education from Marshall University Graduate College and has been working towards her doctorate in Teacher Education with a Specialization in Language and Literacy Education. In true lifelong learner form, she is also working towards a Post-Masters Certificate in Supervision and Doctorate classes in Curriculum and Leadership from Kean University. Jennifer comes to us from Léman Manhattan Preparatory School in New York, New York where she serves as Grade Level Leader, Head Teacher and Learning Specialist for Grades 6 to 8. We are excited to welcome Jennifer to Harding Academy.

I am thrilled to welcome these new teachers to Harding Academy and look forward to the day you can all meet them in person.

Please enjoy this weekend and I look forward to seeing many of you (remotely) at our parent meeting on Wednesday.

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