Empowering Education: How Beaumont's Teachers' Growth Fun Transforms Learning and Relationships

Author: Barbara Brown

It’s Thursday morning in Anna Foti’s new Digital Imagery and Ideation class at Beaumont, and an air of excitement buzzes as students put the final touches on their digital products, preparing to launch them for the first time. Bright screens glow with vibrant designs of planners, calendars, wallpapers, and other products to market while animated discussions fill the room as students share ideas and offer feedback to one another. For many, this is more than just a project; it’s a real-world experience that connects creativity with entrepreneurship.

Across the campus in Rebecca Hamrick’s Honors Chemistry class, the atmosphere is equally charged with discovery. Students are immersed in hands-on experiments, using Bluetooth-enabled digital sensors and DNA analysis equipment to collect data in real-time. The lab is alive with focused concentration as students engage with innovative technology, applying the same tools they’ll encounter in college and STEM careers. This isn’t just a typical science lesson, it’s an opportunity for students to step into the world of modern scientific research, bridging classroom learning with real-world applications.

All this engaged learning is made possible through the support of a Teachers’ Growth Fund that was generously created more than 15 years ago by Beaumont alumna Susan Brooks Murphy ’64, whose vision was to empower faculty to deepen their expertise, innovate their teaching methods, and create transformative learning experiences for students. This unique fund has not only elevated the quality of education at Beaumont but has also fostered an environment where both students and teachers can thrive.

“I see Beaumont as a Community of Learners – both students and faculty,” says Susan. “The Growth Fund enables teachers to grow and learn, enhancing their capacity to share with students the wealth of knowledge that is available to them through this fund.”

STRENGTHENING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND TEACHER RETENTION

Principal Ann Hoelzel underscores the pivotal role the Teachers’ Growth Fund has played in advancing Beaumont's mission and enhancing the school’s academic standing. “The fund has empowered our teachers with extensive IB and academic training, allowing them to take on leadership roles, present at conferences, visit other schools, and design forward-thinking courses that keep Beaumont at the forefront of education.”

She highlights the significance of Beaumont’s recent academic accolades, noting that 13 percent of the senior class earned top honors from the College Board, including four National Merit Semifinalists, two Commended Scholars and three National African American Recognition Program awardees – for a total of nine seniors receiving national recognition. “These achievements are a direct result of the sustained academic excellence supported by the Teachers' Growth Fund,” she explains. “The fund has allowed our educators to continuously elevate their teaching practices, and that’s reflected in the success of our students.”

An unexpected bonus of the fund has been its impact on faculty retention. “We’ve achieved the lowest teacher turnover rate in over a decade,” Principal Hoelzel notes. While its primary goal is to fuel academic innovation, the fund has also played a key role in helping Beaumont attract and retain top-tier educators by offering them opportunities for growth and leadership. This dual benefit has strengthened the school community in ways that go beyond the classroom, ensuring long-term stability and continued excellence in education.

IB COMMITMENT: A FRAMEWORK FOR CRITICAL THINKING AND INQUIRY

“One of the most exciting outcomes of the Teachers’ Growth Fund is seeing how our teachers, through fellowships and ongoing training, have transformed our academic programs. Our transformation into an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School is directly tied to the Teachers’ Growth Fund,” says Principal Hoelzel. “The ability for our educators to continue to fully immerse themselves in the IB framework has resulted in not just new and creative course offerings but also enhanced critical thinking and inquiry-based learning throughout the school. Students are learning to make meaningful connections across subjects in ways that are deeply transferable beyond Beaumont.”

Research supports this idea, showing that when teachers engage in professional development tied to their instructional context, student outcomes improve. “Teacher training has a strong connection to student success,” Principal Hoelzel emphasizes. “Our commitment to the IB framework has been a significant factor in that.”

“Programs like the IB require a long-term commitment to see the full range of benefits. Initially, schools often face an ‘implementation dip,’ as Beaumont did, while adapting to new methodologies and expectations. Through patience and dedication to the program, Beaumont is now reaping the rewards, as demonstrated by our high success rates in IB courses and national recognitions, including the IB Diploma Programme, where 83-100% of full diploma students consistently earn the prestigious IB Diploma,” says Principal Hoelzel.

HOW THE TEACHERS’ GROWTH FUND WORKS

To access the fund, teachers at Beaumont apply for fellowships by submitting proposals that align with their professional development goals and the school's mission. This strategic process ensures that the funds are used to enhance teaching quality and drive meaningful curriculum innovation.

As one of the first educators to benefit from the Teachers’ Growth Fund, Kristen LoPresti, Fine Arts Department Chair, embarked on a three-year fellowship that transformed Beaumont’s Visual Arts program. Through her fellowship, which included visits to universities, interviews with alumnae, and participation in workshops, Mrs. LoPresti set out to ensure that Beaumont remains at the leading edge of arts education.

Building on Beaumont’s highly regarded and long-established four-year Studio Art Program, Mrs. LoPresti sought to extend that same level of excellence to a bold new initiative: Beaumont’s Emerging Media track.

Designed to prepare students for the rapidly changing intersections of art and technology, this program equips students with the skills they’ll need to succeed in the digital age. Thanks to Mrs. LoPresti’s vision and leadership, Beaumont now offers courses like Digital Imagery and Ideation and 3D Tinkering, introduced by Ms. Foti, a full-time visual arts educator hired specifically to bring this groundbreaking curriculum to life. The Emerging Media track represents a forward-thinking approach to art education, positioning Beaumont students at the forefront of creative industries that blend traditional fine arts with advanced digital technologies.

In addition, she initiated workshops led by an outside professional videographer, with plans in place to offer specialized classes like Digital Photography.

“With these new classes, our focus is on preparing students not just for the job market they’ll enter after graduation, but for the world they’ll navigate five, 10, or 15 years down the road,” Ms. Foti explains. Mrs. LoPresti echoes that, “We are preparing our students for careers that don’t even exist yet. Our goal is to help students bridge the gap between traditional fine arts and the rapidly growing field of digital design. With the knowledge they gain here, they’ll be ready to tackle whatever the future holds.”

Mrs. Hamrick has also seen the benefits, bringing new academic improvements to her Honors Chemistry, AP Chemistry, and Genetics classes after attending conferences like ChemEd and Biotech: The Basics. “The fund has elevated the learning experience in ways that genuinely benefit my students, and that strengthen my connection with students. When they see how committed I am to bring state-of-the-art knowledge and resources into the classroom, it motivates them to push themselves further. It’s inspiring to see them thrive.”

BEYOND ACADEMICS: FOSTERING DEEP LEARNING AND STRONG RELATIONSHIPS

The Teachers’ Growth Fund at Beaumont isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s a strategic investment. It equips teachers with the resources they need to innovate, push boundaries, and bring the latest educational approaches to their students. More importantly, it strengthens the bond between students and teachers, resulting in an environment where students feel supported and challenged by fully engaged, empowered educators. A prime example is the collaboration between Christina Vitatoe, IB Core Leader and Instructional Coach, and Erika Emch, Math and Instructional Coach. Through a fellowship supported by the fund, they expanded upon Beaumont’s Learning Lab – a space where students learn to think critically about their own learning to enhance their skills. The goal isn’t just to close knowledge gaps, but to empower students to take control of their learning through reflective, self-directed strategies. “Our students are learning to approach challenges with a growth mindset, which helps them develop both academic resilience and self-awareness,” explains Mrs. Vitatoe.

Research consistently shows that students who feel known and trusted are more willing to engage fully in their learning. At Beaumont, it’s working: “Teachers here make us feel like adults and create a deeper relationship,” shares one student, while another notes, “Once a teacher knows you as a person, they are able to help you individually.”

The Teachers’ Growth Fund is an engine driving both academic success and stronger teacher-student relationships. It’s helping Beaumont become the kind of school where teachers want to teach, and students want to learn. Ultimately, that’s an investment that pays off – for everyone.