Celebrating 100+ years at GUS!

Patty Clark, Emilie Cushing, Christine Draper, Bruce Emerson, and Sandy Thoms are among our most tenured faculty currently at GUS - with a combined 100+ years between them! Here, they share what they love about teaching, and what has kept them at GUS for so long.

Patty Clark, Music Teacher - 18 years at GUS

I love the outdoor spaces, the trees, and the open feel to the campus. I feel like I'm at camp! Having grown up at Y camp, (my dad was a Y camp director), I always feel at home! I love the indoor spaces, and I continue to be inspired by the beauty and creativity of student-generated artwork and projects that adorn the halls and classrooms. I love the abundant creativity and innovation present at GUS, and I've loved the freedom to continually evolve the lower school music curriculum. I love my creative, dedicated, compassionate colleagues, and I love watching them in action, hearing about their exciting activities, and collaborating on projects together. And, of course, I love sharing music with GUS students! They are fun, creative, and energizing, and they love to sing and make music together! Each day I look for special musical moments when I experience a deep connection with the kids and the music and something really beautiful happens, and I have never been disappointed!

About 18 years ago, I had lunch with a friend, and her 6-year old tagged along. He told me all about his wonderful kindergarten experiences, and then he invited me to come teach at GUS! Several months later, when I heard about a music opening at GUS, I remembered this happy child, and I took him up on his invitation! He loved GUS, and thanks to him, now I love GUS, too!

Emilie Cushing, Science Teacher - 19 years at GUS

My introduction to the GUS campus was on the nature trail while working on a plant communities graduate school project. After reveling in the beauty of the woods, I took my first steps through the doors of the lower school building. I thought, “I would love to teach here!” Twenty four years later, I am still in awe that I get to spend my days in this beautiful place. I have been privileged to share this space with amazing wildlife--red-backed salamanders, pileated woodpeckers, and white-tailed deer. I get to grow and enjoy delicious food with my students in our greenhouse. I also get to share my time with the most amazing colleagues: people who love to learn, and want to collaborate. The teachers at GUS are innovative, kind, funny, and a joy to be around. We dream big here, and we support each other in this.

One reason I've called GUS home for so long is the alignment of values, particularly in our commitment to sustainability. This alignment means I don't have to compromise my beliefs to work here. GUS students have always been a part of what I love about GUS. They are bright, curious, funny, and have helped propel me to truly live out our motto--to Mean Well, Speak Well, and Do Well. Finally, I’ve stayed at GUS so long because the leadership here has given me freedom to explore and try out new things. From non-traditional ways of assessing students to being entrusted and encouraged to incorporate indigenous ways of knowing into my science teaching, GUS has given me space to grow and be challenged. I am so grateful for my time here, and look forward to the years ahead of being a part of this “green and shady place.”

Christine Draper, Ed.D., Social Studies Teacher - 25 Years at GUS

When I started at GUS twenty-five years ago, I thought it might serve as a short interlude between jobs in undergraduate teacher education. Instead, I found teaching at Glen Urquhart to be a deeply fulfilling experience, allowing me to exercise my curiosity and love of learning. I love being surrounded by and collaborating with other committed teachers. I love working together to craft integrated, holistic curricula to meet our students' diverse needs, while still making room for flexibility and imagination. The themes that have floated to the top in faculty meetings over the years, like “What’s best for the students?” or “It’s always worth the time it takes,” highlight this vision.

I vibe with “The GUS way.” Our new, simplified mission statement that emphasizes “the joys of learning” points to another reason I love to teach at GUS. I love teaching in a place that recognizes the importance of play and nurturing environments. I love the way the school's outdoor spaces support problem-based, experiential learning. I love that I can bundle my students up and take them outdoors, to the nature trail, to Beverly Commons, or to West Beach. I love being able to help students to recognize their connections to the world around them, seeing themselves in relation to others, both past and present, and developing in ways that contribute to the well-being of others and to justice. I love how GUS fosters strong community connections with organizations like Beverly Bootstraps.

As a teacher, I thrive in an atmosphere where experimentation and growth are embraced, where there is support for trying new approaches, and trying and trying again. I love the joy, and pain, and intellect, and goofiness of middle school kids, who help me thrive. The GUS mission and vision keep me interested and challenged. After all these years, I still find joy.

Bruce Emerson, P.E. Teacher + Athletic Director, 32 Years at GUS

When I was a middle school student there were two teachers who I just loved to be around. One was my homeroom and history teacher in 8th grade, and the other was the athletic director and a coach at the high school. They were two very different teachers who taught two different subjects. Where they were the same was that they took the time to listen to and engage with their students. If you ever needed something they were always there for you. If you messed up, they held you accountable, helped you understand, and at the same time made you somehow feel better for having learned a lesson. The lessons I learned from them were not always academic, but they are lessons I still carry with me to this day. I had other teachers and coaches through high school and into college who filled that same role, and it is why I wanted to become a teacher.

I am now finishing my 40th year of teaching, the last 32 years here at GUS, and I enjoy my time with students just as much now as I ever have. The GUS kids and their families are great, and I enjoy doing whatever I can for them. Of course, there are days when I wonder how long I am going to continue doing this. Then a kid will appear in my office, greet me in the hall, or just talk at recess. It may be to ask a question or just to talk. When I was in their shoes I cherished those moments with my teachers, and now I am on the other side, and I cherish these moments even more! Being able to be there for a student is what keeps me coming back each September.

Sandy Thoms, Kindergarten Teacher, 36 years at GUS

Teaching is new every morning, every season, every year. Children are endlessly fascinating and great company. They’re honest even when they don’t mean to be and in their innocence, they’re charming in a way that leads to connection and affection from the adults around them.

I recently asked if a child had hit another. They replied, in a quiet voice while looking away, ”Yes I did. And I am sorry. And I won’t do that again. And I will ask, ‘Are you okay?’ to my friend.” Then they beamed a smile at me and inquired, “How was that?!?” Who wouldn’t just want to hug that kid and tell them, I’m for you! You can keep from hitting, I just know it! Then I plan with that child the structures and support that will actually help. This work is engaging, challenging and pure joy when the growth comes.

GUS is a school that can be a wonderful, nurturing learning environment for children. When we expect a lot from children, a lot of kindness, a lot of earnest work, a lot of curiosity, a lot of questioning, they live up to our expectations and thrive. We need to constantly remind ourselves we don’t just want students to learn the next skill, though that is important. We want them to be excited by learning and develop the confidence to challenge themselves with new ideas and through activities that are new to them. As long as GUS keeps the whole child in mind, it’s the place to be!