Imagine a group of students writing funny and exciting poems for a grade. In English teacher Mrs. Lilley’s creative writing class, a class started through an endowed fund, students indulge in classical literature. They also explore different sorts of poems including odes and sonnets.
Like Lilley, other endowed chairs have added a variety of classes to Trinity Prep’s academic curriculum. An endowed chair is created when a donation is made to the school, specifically to start another extracurricular course. A faculty member in any department can then make a proposal that may have a significant and positive impact on the school.
Current classes from endowed chairs have created heavily enrolled classes such as Lilley’s creative writing class and anatomy teacher Mrs.DeRosier’s independent research class.
Trinity Prep coach Amanda Dean was the most recent teacher to be selected for an endowed chair position. She was approved to be the Jaworski Physical Education Chair. Joining former endowed chairs, Dean hopes to introduce a new course to Trinity Prep next year that will encompass fitness ideals. She hopes to contribute to the ‘overall well-being’ of the Trinity family. She believes that the chair positions are fantastic opportunities to offer variation in the curriculum.
“Overall health and wellness are so important, yet are so often overlooked in our society,” Dean said. “I was interested in this position because I believe I can help to make a positive impact on the overall well-being of the Trinity family.”
Dean plans to survey students to see the courses they have interests in. She predicts students will be interested in stress management, organization and efficient study skills. Furthermore, she hopes to offer extracurricular fitness activities for interested students.
The newly appointed endowed chair hopes to encourage faculty members to follow healthier lifestyles.
“For faculty I plan to create lunch sessions on topics they may be interested in,” Dean said. “Topics may be include healthy eating tips, stress management, etc. I also hope to facilitate fitness groups that will help encourage employees to become more active.” Dean hopes to pursue her passions by utilizing her new position. Before coming to Trinity, she worked as a personal fitness trainer and wellness coordinator. However, Dean has a desire for teaching.
Her previous experience will enhance the overall enjoyability of this course. She explains that her new chair position will allow her to pursue both of her professional hobbies simultaneously. She wants to be able to educate Trinity faculty and students on the principle of fitness for life.
“[I want to] create opportunities that will bring a higher level of health and overall wellness to the Trinity campus,” Dean said.
