|
by Jeffrey Stanley
Denise Krenski is new to BFS this year as Assistant Head of Middle School. "As far as I can tell, with two months of being in the position under my belt, this role appears to be a dynamic one," she said. "I came into a division that runs really smoothly -- the faculty are focused and seasoned, well-educated and eager -- so I want to do a bit of observing what's really rich and powerful about them and the division before I create lofty goals for myself. And, of course, understanding our students is key."
 Officially, her job is to support Middle School Head Martha Haakmat while slowly learning where there is potential for growth and innovation in the division. "Because we’re expanding both as a division and as a school, this position is integral to ensuring that there is a strong leadership team working to keep all of the pieces tightly fastened."
A Philadelphia native who now lives in Brooklyn, Denise has a background both as a school administrator and as a teacher. Based on that experience, she says she wants the faculty to feel supported and heard, and she wants students and their parents feel confident in the faculty. She spent 8 years at the Birch Wathen Lenox school on Manhattan’s Upper East Side where she was actively involved in their diversity efforts. The more she learned about BFS in her independent school travels, she says, the more interested she became in joining the faculty. "BFS has such a diverse community of educators and learners and a sense of community. I felt a sense of inclusivity immediately."
Most recently Denise taught for 4 years in a public school "focused heavily on social justice teaching, which I love and believe in deeply," she said. She also earned a master's degree from NYU in Educational Leadership.
 Also joining the faculty this year is BFS’ first ever Director of Diversity, Eddie Moore, Jr. Dr. Moore holds a PhD from the University of Iowa’s Program in Educational Policy and Leadership Studies. He is a nationally recognized figure on issues of diversity and integration among students, faculty and administrators in our nation’s schools. He comes to BFS directly from serving as diversity director for the Bush School, a progressive, independent K-12 school in Seattle, WA. Eddie has authored numerous articles, including one which appeared in the book Brothers of the Academy: Up and Coming Black Scholars Earning Our Way in Higher Education (Stylus Publishing, 2000). A survey of the history and roles of black men in academia, the book offers first-hand accounts of how the authors have succeeded as scholars despite the odds against them.
"We’re continuing to implement the school's Strategic Plan for Diversity," said Head of School Larry Weiss of Dr. Moore’s appointment. "We're fortunate to have him. In general the diversity of the faculty, students and administration is improving," Larry said, "but we will continue to demonstrate leadership in this area."
 Then there are the familiar faces who will also appear in new places this year. Sara Soll, who was director of preschool admissions for many years and a longtime preschool teacher, is the new director of the Family Center at Brooklyn Friends, newly relocated to 189 Schermerhorn Street. One of the longest tenured BFS faculty members, Sara is married to middle school humanities teacher Tony Soll; their two children, Jesse '96 and Becky '99, are BFS lifers and alums. Head of School Larry Weiss credits Sara's entrepreneurialism, expertise and high energy for the successful transformation of a 12-student program into a thriving, stand-alone, three classroom program in a time frame of less than 6 months.
 Former Assistant Head of Middle School and MS/US Health and Upper School Quakerism teacher Whitney Thompson is BFS' new Dean of Faculty. In this role she'll oversee professional development and evaluation schoolwide among other responsibilities. She will also lead this year's Quaker Self-Study for our school community. The Self-Study has started with a Quakerism 101 workshop for faculty and staff led by members of the New York Quarterly Meeting, preceded by Robert Lawrence Smith's A Quaker Book of Wisdom assigned as summer reading. Parents are now invited to read this book as well. Related events are in store for our community as the year progresses. "Right now the thing that is most exciting about my new role is getting to clerk the Quaker Self-Study," said Whitney. "It's such an exciting time for us to get to explore who we are as a Friends school, what kind of Friends school we uniquely are, and what kind of Friends school we think we should be."
 Longtime BFS Preschool teacher Maura Eden has stepped into a new role as Head of the Preschool after its founder Karen Luks retired from the post last June. "Over the years, I had the opportunity to serve as a teacher in various leadership capacities--a wide array of committee work, including School Committee, which is now the School Board," said Maura. "I became fascinated with school leadership in general and with Karen Luks’ encouragement, I completed a graduate degree in Early Childhood Leadership at Bank St. College of Education."
Last year Karen asked Maura to fill in for her while she took a month-long leave. That experience led Head of School Larry Weiss to ask her to step in as Interim Head this year. "I know we are poised for change," she said. "I was excited by the energy, growth and movement that Larry had brought to the school and was honored to help in any way, I had firsthand knowledge of the faculty and the program and absolutely looked forward to such a wonderful opportunity." Her concerns at work now extend beyond the walls of her own former classroom and to the nearly 100 Preschoolers currently enrolled at BFS as well as their parents. "Every day is different," she said. "I still get to sing with the children when Tony Soll comes, visit the classrooms and read a story. Those moments keep me remembering why I am doing what I do."
Another familiar face in a new position beginning this year is Jonathan Edmonds. A second and third grade teacher for the past nine years, he has been named the Lower School's new Math Coordinator. An interview with Jonathan was published in the BFS Journal and is online at www.brooklynfriends.org/facultyprofiles. |