Education on a Scale of One

As every parent knows, some concepts may come easily to a child, while some may be more difficult. A student may earn stellar grades in reading, science and social studies, but may need additional time to grasp concepts in math. Or, a child who excels in mathematics may need one-on-one coaching in parts of speech, such as distinguishing between adjectives and adverbs. Often, academically advanced students seek additional enrichment or more in-depth assignments to keep them motivated and engaged. Some children may be stronger learners when using auditory skills, while some are more visual or kinesthetic learners. Holy Trinity’s new ACE program – Academic Coaching for Excellence – meets the needs of all students through no-cost, in-school academic coaching.

At Holy Trinity’s Lower School, which serves preschool through grade 6, four academic coaches provide customized one-on-one and small group instruction to students who need additional instruction – or additional challenge. Although the Lower School has employed at least one academic coach for the past three years, the program has been greatly expanded under the direction of Headmaster James Landi.

Last year, the Lower School added a Math Lab, staffed by Mrs. Michelle Sendler, to provide advanced students with additional challenge in mathematics. In November, the hours for the Math Lab were expanded to include afterschool sessions for students in grades 1-6 who either need additional support or challenge. Math Lab participants use the Accelerated Math program, which provides extensive practice at the student’s current math level in order to develop and deepen math skills. Afterschool hours take place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays until 4:30 p.m. Space is limited to 15 students per day, so participants must sign up in advance.

All other academic areas are supported by three additional coaches: Mrs. Rebecca Cacciatore rejoined Holy Trinity last year, and has been joined by Mrs. Whitney Douglas and Mrs. Zelia Mendes this year. Mrs. Cacciatore and Mrs. Douglas work with students in grades K through four, while Ms. Mendes works with fourth through sixth graders. Each is a certified teacher.

In previous years, students who needed additional help would have been able to receive some support from their teachers, but time was often a limiting factor. The ACE program is designed to provide teachers and parents a better means to support the student with no cost, in-house instruction. Academic coaches may visit classrooms to work with students or may pull out students individually or in small groups to focus on the areas most in need. Constant communication between the teacher, the coach, the student and the parent are critical to the success of the model. 

According to Mrs. Katie Grant, Director of Lower School Guidance, the program has been warmly received by all. “The Academic Coach program is a student-centered approach which encourages students to fully engage with all of the learning opportunities HTEA has to offer. It is designed to help all students attain their full academic potential through additional support and/or additional challenge.  Our coaches reinforce the skills students are already learning in the classroom. It is truly a win-win for parents, teachers, and most importantly our students!”

At the Upper School, academic coaches, as well as classroom teachers, provide plenty of opportunities for students to receive help or build academic skills. Ms. Melissa Moriarty works in the classrooms with students in strengthening their writing skills as well as operating the new Writing Lab each morning from 7 to 7:45 a.m. Ms. Carol Karp provides in-class assistance and individualized tutoring with math, while Mrs. Jocey Szmidt works with students on developing organizational, time management,  and test taking skills. She also coaches students across all grade levels in Spanish.

The Math Lab, operated by math instructor Mr. David Bonanza and Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society members, is open each day for 45 minutes, from 7 to 7:45 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, and from 3 to 3:45 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.  There, students are not only encouraged to seek assistance with homework, but also to practice skills needed for the PSAT, SAT and ACT.

A new Science Academic Lab, run by science instructor and high school dean, Mrs. Jessica Kelce, is offered four days a week from 3:15 to 4 p.m. Afterschool peer tutoring is available Wednesdays with National Honor Society students and each day with Spanish National Honor Society members. Faculty members also offer office hours at least once per week, often more frequently, for students to seek additional help.  This year, Holy Trinity also implemented a four-week PSAT/SAT preparation lab, presented by Ms. Caroline Hatten, to help students prepare for standardized college admittance tests. (View all of the Upper School academic coaching opportunities).

“In the same way that inspired coaching can strengthen the natural ability of our athletes, academic coaching assists our students in developing the key habits of mind that they need to be successful in current and future academic pursuits,” explained Kathy Peters, Director of Junior High Academics and Advising. “Having the coaches on staff, and on our campus, integrates them into our program so that they truly are able to assist the student in a way that translates directly into increased success in the classroom. They understand our expectations and know what is happening in our classrooms. Our teachers appreciate another adult in the classroom to help give additional one-to-one support to all students when introducing difficult concepts or topics. Further, we have removed the embarrassment some students feel about needing extra help because many students receive extra help at some point during the day; thus it just becomes part of how we all approach the business of learning. For our families, it also reduces the stress of trying to find a tutor or additional support and then adding it to an already busy family schedule.”

Current parents and students interested in learning more about the Academic Coaching for Excellence program are invited to contact Mrs. Katie Grant (Lower School) at: Kathryn.Grant@htes.org or Mrs. Kathy Peters (Upper School) at: Kathy.Peters@htes.org.

Prospective parents interested in learning more about the program are invited to contact a member of the Holy Trinity admissions team. For grades preschool through six, contact Mrs. Shara Benhase at Shara.Benhase@htes.org or for grades 7-12, contact Mrs. Sharon Torkelson at Sharon.Torkelson@htes.org.