English Teacher Sees Community as “Foundational” to Work

In May, as the school kicked off Teacher Appreciation Week, three teachers shared with the community their answers to the question, “Why do you love teaching at Ravenscroft?” Here is the response from Upper School English teacher and divisional admissions coordinator Kevin Flinn.

Why do I love teaching at Ravenscroft? It comes down to one word: community.

Ravenscroft is a community of lifelong learners, from our PreK students to graduating seniors, and includes each member of the faculty and staff. Our students have permission to fail in small, manageable ways — a junior in my Honors English III class might tank a reading quiz, but there’s always another text, another quiz, another essay coming quickly on its heels. They know that a minor setback can be a catalyst for major growth. Similarly, a lesson that I spent hours preparing may fall flat in the first five minutes, but I know that later in the day (or the week, or the year) I’ll have another opportunity to reflect, modify and excel.

Clockwise from top left: Kevin Flinn shares a laugh with students in his English III course; Flinn referees the Green-vs.-Gold team challenges in Main Arena (now Warner Arena) during Stark Raven Madness in 2017; Flinn accompanies student performers during a Coffee House club visit to the fifth-grade center last year; Flinn with members of his senior advisory at a basketball game in 2017.

It’s also a community of colleagues and co-workers who support each other at every turn. In my 14 years at Ravenscroft, I’ve felt bolstered by the Upper School English Department and my Admissions colleagues, my supervisors, chairs and heads. That community gives me the freedom to teach my way and tell my stories within the organized structure of grade-level teams and academic departments. I’ve never been told “no” when I propose a professional development opportunity like SAIS accreditation visits or attending a conference. My community provides resources when I need them.

Lastly — and most importantly — Ravenscroft is a community of families. That includes the families who choose our school during the admissions process and make the financial sacrifices for an independent school education, but it also includes the found families that make up classes, sports teams and advisories. I see it when my students say “thank you” as they leave the classroom. I see it when parents go out of their way to acknowledge faculty and staff at graduation. And I see it when our alums make a point of visiting their alma mater with gratitude for how well prepared they were for college, for careers and for life.

I couldn’t be more proud to call myself a member of the Ravenscroft community. It’s that sense of belonging that keeps me coming back day after day, class after class, year after year. Community is foundational to the school’s mission and a tenet I hold near and dear, as it means we’re all in this together — every Raven, every day.