Ravens Celebrate Teachers, Support Campus Upgrades

During Teacher Appreciation Week last May, Ravenscroft’s parents, alumni and friends turned gratitude into action, contributing $125,000 to the Fund For Ravenscroft’s spring campaign — and fast-tracking two campus upgrades that have already made an impact on teachers’ and students’ experiences this year.

The Fund For Ravenscroft — the school’s annual giving fund — provides resources in support of faculty excellence, access to academic programs and student wellness.

Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement Ben Rein and a team of parent volunteers shaped this weeklong campaign around three components: heartfelt messages about what makes Ravenscroft such a special school community; gift challenges and personal contact that made Ravens feel good about giving; and the knowledge that these gifts would go to fund new outdoor recreational equipment and enhanced classroom technology in all three divisions.

Matching-gift challenge “creates a catalyst”

From the outset, the inspiration to give in support of these investments was tied to the outstanding work of Ravenscroft’s teachers.

The FFR team sent emails sharing messages from students about why they appreciate their teachers. Sammy Kamil ’31 wrote, “Mr. [Wes] Brown challenges me to be my best self, he knows I have potential. I really appreciate that! … Fifth grade has been a blast thanks to all of our amazing teachers! I have learned so much from them and have grown as a student.”

Reflections from Ravens including Anika LeCheminant ’31 and teacher Danny Carlson provide the foundation of the Teacher Appreciation Week campaign.

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The appeal also included reflections from teachers themselves, including Middle School science and engineering teacher Michelle Nunalee. “I love the sense of collaboration among teachers and have enjoyed many successful co-teaching opportunities,” she wrote. “I have formed lasting friendships with colleagues and find joy in working with them each day. I also value the relationships I have built with my students over the years.”

For many Ravens, supporting the school’s annual fund during Teacher Appreciation Week felt natural. Inspired by the opportunity to thank all of Ravenscroft’s teachers in a big way, a group of 10 Ravenscroft parents and alumni pledged $40,000 in matching contributions to motivate donors even further.

“The matching-gift group allowed us to join like-minded Ravens to not only enhance the everyday experience for our children and staff but also create a catalyst for others who were on the fence to join us,” Lower and Middle School parent Sean Marlowe said. “It’s an amazing feeling when your actions are able to make an impact and also lead others to feel empowered to make a difference.”

FFR volunteers helped spread the word through personal phone calls to families in the school community. Ninety-two Ravens were inspired to give during the 24-hour challenge.

FFR phone-a-thon volunteers Christian Johns, Shannon Gill and Lauren Carlton ’08 offer a personal connection as they reach out to fellow parents and guardians about the matching-gift challenge.

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Cause “strengthens the very foundation of our school’s success”

As the FFR campaign committee members were celebrating a job well done, another opportunity emerged: an anonymous donor offered a second $40,000 match if 75 more donors stepped up. Volunteers hit the phones again, and the community responded: 79 donors made gifts within the second 24-hour time frame, taking the total number of donors to 171 — and securing enough funding to move forward with the projects on the school’s wish list.

Throughout the week, parents showed enthusiasm for giving to honor Ravenscroft’s outstanding teachers.

“The [campaign’s] focus on teachers highlighted the profound impact they have on our children’s development,” phone-a-thon volunteer Ashley Johns, a Lower School parent, said. “Being part of the fundraising campaign allowed us to contribute to a cause that strengthens the very foundation of our school’s success, making our first year in the community even more special and rewarding.”

Facilities staff Patrick Riddick, Mike Hewitt and Thad Brueck install one of the new basketball goals in Holding Circle, an area both Middle School and Upper School students use during breaks; Marcus Yoo ’29, Andrew Nunalee ’29, Tecumseh Ash ’29 and Nate DeGiacinto ’29 take their turn shooting hoops during recess.

Fellow Lower School parent Michelle Squire said her experiences with her children’s teachers motivated her to join the FFR team.

“Every time I have worked with a Ravenscroft teacher, I have always felt a personal connection and that they truly want the best for my children,” she said. “That is intrinsically who these teachers are, but it also comes from the professional development opportunities they are offered as part of Ravenscroft. The school makes sure to pour into them and let them know they are seen, heard and appreciated.”

Upgrades are “a wonderful addition”

As the school year gets underway, both teachers and students are enjoying the outcomes of the successful campaign.

In Holding Circle, used by both Middle and Upper School students, and on each of the Lower School playgrounds, seven new basketball goals have replaced aging equipment, giving Ravens of all ages a boost that aligns with the school’s priorities for student wellness.

“The installation of the new basketball goals has enhanced our playground, transforming it into a vibrant space for connection and camaraderie,” fifth-grade teacher Brandon Vick, who frequently joins his students in pickup games during recess, said.

“The new hoops are great,” Daniel O’Quinn ’30 said of the Holding Circle goals, adding, “I’m glad the parents are contributing to our recess.”

Third-grade teacher Gabe Clark uses the new Samsung monitor in her classroom during a math lesson.

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In addition, FFR-funded technology upgrades in 11 classrooms across all three divisions have helped teachers make classroom learning more interactive. The new Samsung monitors allow teachers and students to share resources, write and mark on the screen, and compare multiple sources of information at one time.

“With the interactive displays, I can collaborate and engage with my students more,” third-grade teacher Emily Lugo said. “I am meeting the diverse needs of all my students with the ability to display videos, directions and interactive activities.”

“In my English Language Arts classes we use the new whiteboard to watch pertinent video clips, share writing examples and so much more,” Middle School teacher Callie Hammond said. “It has been a wonderful addition to our classes!”

“New technology makes history more fun and interesting because students can get visuals of what events, people and places in history looked like,” Aryan Singh ’31 said of the new monitor in Skip Walter’s social studies classroom.

Bryce Augusti '25, Cole Rogers '25 and Will Eichler '25 use their classroom's interactive monitor to analyze data and graphs from a kinematics lab facilitated by Upper School physics teacher Lorre Gifford, second from right.

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Now, in an echo of the Teacher Appreciation Week sentiments, teachers and students are expressing gratitude to the families whose gifts made these updates possible.

“It’s very thoughtful how families donated to give us better hoops,” Adam Conway ’29 said.

“The updated technology in our classrooms connects us to our learning and the world,” Addy Pellicciotti ’31 said. “Thanks so much, Ravenscroft families!”

“I am so appreciative of the gift I have received this year!” Lugo concluded. “It is evident that the partnership between families and faculty is strong.”

Read more: The reflections that teachers Danny Carlson, Michelle Nunalee and Kevin Flinn wrote for this campaign are now published in Voices, our first-person storytelling feature.

At top, fifth-grade teacher Brandon Vick works to get past defense created by Matteo Basil ’32 and Blake Harrington ’32 during recess on the Lower School playground.