BrewsterConnections(PDF) - Brewster Academy

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TJ Palmer, Bobcat Since 1987
History Teacher, Coach
T.J. Palmer came to Brewster from a junior boarding school (The Rectory School)
where he had one weekend off a month. “I was surprised at how much time off
I had at Brewster. Rectory scheduled every minute of the day whereas Brewster
didn’t, but then the days began filling with non-scheduled times: more extra
help, longer athletic practice times, and teaching at the high school level meant
more class prep time. The first fall ... three course preps, soccer (with an assistant
who didn’t have cleats), and a dorm parent in Sargent Hall meant a very busy
schedule, especially for a newlywed!”
In what ways do you feel the Brewster
Model improved the school and your
work? The foundation of the Model fit my view of teaching from the very
beginning. I hated to lecture. I always wanted students actively engaged. Cabinet
meetings, debates, and court trials where students are active is fun and exciting
for the students and me. I love the competitive nature of these activities. I had
to get used to the massive preparation required outside of class, but I really
enjoy when the students both learn a lot and enjoy learning. The Model greatly
improved the school as the teaching faculty became more professional in their
thought as to what they were teaching and why they were teaching it.
In coaching the same principals of the classroom fit the rink or the playing
field. As a coach you review the previous game, consider the areas of weakness
that we want to work on, and then set up drills that effectively work on those
weaknesses. And, you can never forget the fun element. Input from the players
is always important, and that same input comes from the students in the
academic setting with the Model. In my view there no longer is a Model – it is
just Brewster!
What do you consider to be your greatest
contribution to the school?
One contribution has been bringing varsity hockey back to Brewster from a
long hiatus after Pop Whalen (Brewster’s legendary athletic director) left. Pop
built some great teams back in the 1960s, but times had changed and there
were doubts whether a respected team could be formed at Brewster, especially
given the hockey facilities offered by our competitors. Now we have earned the
respect of the Lakes Region teams and other top programs in New England and
play them every season – schools including Phillips Exeter, Phillips Andover, and
Cushing, to name a few. Recently we beat South Kent (twice), one of the top 10
New England teams this year.
A 25-year faculty member by the numbers
1,260 hockey practices
150 weekend duty assignments
54 hockey pre-game meals at the Palmer’s
48 coaching seasons of soccer, hockey, baseball,
and softball
34 “Varsity III” soccer coaching victories
18 years as a hockey coach
7 Faculty “loaner” computers
2 Yearbook dedications
3 days my wife spent in Wolfeboro not employed by
Brewster Academy
0 teachers who have been at Brewster longer than me
Another contribution was running the first Model dormitory and being a Team
Leader when the Model was first implemented in the early 1990s. I worked
closely with Dr. Alan Bain, former associate headmaster and architect of the
Model, and produced my portfolio with his guidance. I learned a great deal from
him during that work, and I believe he learned a lot from me about the reality
of teaching and dorm parenting in the ‘trenches’ every day. As a result of our
collaboration, I became more convinced that great teaching is one part proven
best practices and two parts a real “feel” for what works and what doesn’t.
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