Nicole Martin has been appointed Chief Integration Officer for the School. For seven years, NicoleΒ has served the School in her role of Lower School Head of Learning and Innovation, launching the Writing Initiative Literacy Research and Design Team, leading the Math R&D Team, and contributing to MVIFI initiatives like Collider and FUSE. In addition, other initiatives she has led in Lower School include redesigning assessment and launching standards-based grading, implementing e-portfolios, leading off-campus expeditionary learning experiences, transforming our approach to how we learn math beginning with a strong number sense in early learning, implementing instructional rounds, building curriculum through the lens of UbD and PBL, partnering with Admissions to attract mission-aligned families to the School, and creating a learning coach model and leading a learning coach team to support classroom teachers. In this capacity, she will influence all learnersΒ in Preschool through grade 12.
Katie Cain has been appointed the Director of Instructional Technology for Preschool through grade 12. Since 2012, Katie has served as the Middle School Head of Learning and Innovation. In that time, she has collaborated with and led the team in several key initiatives. Katie helped to expand learning measures by developing and launching a school-wide eportfolio program, implementing student-led conferences for grades 5-8, and piloting badges as a means to illuminate learning for students and faculty. Katie has been instrumental in conducting classroomβ© observations by introducing Instructional Rounds and providing feedback to facilitate improvement in classroom instruction. Katie regularly designed and facilitated professional learning opportunities at monthly faculty meetings, intentionally modeling pedagogy such as visible thinking routines, gold standard PBL, and design thinking. She has led and co-facilitated Parent University sessions on PowerSchool, Haiku, Duke TIP, and Middle School math curriculum, as well as co-taught theΒ Digital Media course for grades 7 and 8.
Additionally, we welcomeΒ Brandi Hoyos as Director of Multicultural Innovation and Diverse Networks.Β Brandi is described as a builder who loves innovation. She demonstrates a thirst for learning with a growth mindset, focuses on relationship building, and is dedicated to growing culture and connection within our school community.Β Brandi has a deep passion for tapping into the networks in our city and world emphasizing, βWe live in an ever diversified world- we must as learners navigate those cultural competencies.β Coupled with her deep knowledge base, Brandiβs vibrant personality and fun-loving spirit are contagious.Β Brandi is a graduate of The University of Georgia and has her Masters in Education from Lesley University. Most recently, she served as the Multicultural Admission Outreach Coordinator, New Faculty Orientation Coordinator, Lower School Multicultural Coordinator, and Lower School Spanish teacher at The Lovett School. Prior to her time there, Brandi was the Diversity Coordinator and Spanish Lead Teacher at Trinity School.
Elisse Hayes-KarlssonΒ will replace Nicole Martin as Lower School Head of Learning and Innovation. Elisse earned her degree from Hampton University and her master’s from Texas A&M University in Educational Administration. Most recently, she served as Primary and Lower School Principal at First Baptist Academy in Houston and was the previous Head of Lower School at St. Francis Episcopal Day School, also in Houston. She has served on School Boards, been named Teacher of the Year, and served as a mentor teacher. Elisse has participated in numerous professional learning experiences during her time as a teacher and administrator. Some of the highlights include attendance at NAIS People of Color Conference, Project-Based Learning Conference through the Buck Institute, ERB National Conference, University Child Development School in Seattle, and SEED training.
