Since last year, Tabor Academy has undergone a multitude of administrative and infrastructural changes. In addition to building a new dorm (Matsumura), new carpets, paint, fans, furniture for the common room, and TVs were added to Spring Street and Knowlton dorms. The campus as a whole looks neater too, as new pathways and access roads were added. And, for sports fans eager to watch Tabor teams play with greater ease and comfort, bleachers have been added around the turf fields.
In accordance with an initiative to make Tabor more environmentally friendly, the whole school will be receiving Nalgene water bottles with the Tabor logo, and water bottle filling stations have been placed in many central locations around campus, including some dorms and the athletic center. By November, these stations will be in all dorms as well as the library, eradicating the need for plastic water bottles altogether. Already, the start of this initiative is showing success, and many students can be seen carrying the Nalgene bottles around campus.
Besides additions to Tabor’s infrastructure and policies, Tabor has also added a number of new faculty members this year. Merrie-Beth Cleary joined as a Human Development teacher, as well as a tutor in the Academic Resource Center. Tim Cleary has joined Tabor as a Math teacher, while Meredith Finch and Matt Sandefer are new teachers in the Modern and Classical Languages Department. Rebecca Parente and Emily Kaplan are both new History teachers. With all these new members of the Tabor community bringing new ideas and excitement to the school, the year is bound to be an interesting learning experience for all.
Emily Kaplan, new to the History Department, talks about her enthusiasm for the school year. “I am particularly attracted to Tabor’s 24/7 lifestyle,” said Kaplan. “I will have an opportunity to create stronger relationships with students both inside and outside of the classroom. Good education takes place when students feel fully comfortable with their teachers, so I’m really looking forward to getting to know my students well.”
As a new faculty member, Kaplan reflects on what she’s seen of the Tabor community so far, describing it as “supportive” above all else.
“I’ve received immense support from fellow faculty members in the past month,” Kaplan said, “and I seek to model the support that they also provide for students.” She, as well as most other faculty, is most excited to get back into the classroom and get right into doing what she loves – teaching high school students the subject that she is passionate about.
However, not all changes are new features or faces. For Melissa Bride, the difference is a new position and role in the Tabor community. As she heads into this school year, she takes on her role as the new dean of students. Unfortunately, she could not be reached for comment before press time. As the year is just beginning, she is busy settling students in, fielding innumerable questions, and meeting with other administration. Beloved by the students and widely known as one of the nicest people on campus, everyone is eager to see what Ms. Bride brings to the new position.
With all the changes in place, Tabor is looking ahead to a new and exciting year. With so many new students and faculty, as well as changes in roles and new initiatives, the 2015-2016 school year will be one like never before.
By Madeleine Gregory