2016 Blackboard Award Honoree: Ann Marie Hourigan

F45C6240_hourigan — Ann Marie Hourigan accepts her Blackboard Award; photo by Karen Haberberg

Editor’s note: To read profiles of all 2016 Blackboard Awards honorees, click HERE!

Ann Marie Hourigan
Ages 3-14, Science
The British International School of New York

Tell us about some of the special joys and challenges you’ve experienced as a teacher.

I have been fortunate enough to teach students from ages 3-19 in a variety of settings in Ireland and London before moving to Manhattan in 2013. Embracing individuals from different countries, cultures, and languages is so insightful and has added new dimensions to my experience as a teacher in so many ways.

Please share a special project or achievement that you are particularly proud of from this year.

The implementation of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) into the curriculum in middle school commenced when I arrived in New York from London in 2013… Passion is palpable as students tap into their inner creativity, using interdisciplinary skills. Student inquiries are showcased every February for the school community in the STEM Fair.

IMG_2494_hourigan2 — Ann Marie Hourigan with her students on a trip to Arizona

Over the course of your career, what do you consider your greatest accomplishments?

One of my favorite accomplishments is securing the role as Head of Science at the British International School of New York in 2013. It was a highly competitive and rigorous process applying to, not just New York, but to the British School in New York. I will always remember the very moment when the position was confirmed to me in London in 2013 and, of course, the endless excitement that followed. When people talk about their dream job, it always sounds like such a cliché, but this really is.

What keeps you motivated and committed to being a dedicated and hard-working educator?

Creativity and open-ended inquiry, establishing links with real world scenarios, and taking student learning out of the classroom into metropolises such as New York or overseas trips to London or to the wild Canyonlands of Arizona enhances outcomes for students beyond measure. Identifying and organizing these excursions and opportunities with strong multi-curriculum links inspires and motivates me as an educator.

Bay Ridge Prep

An Independent K-12 College Preparatory School. With a student-centered environment and fresh approach to education, the school provides an enriching academic experience in a socially mature environment.

FlexSchool

Our mission is to provide an engaging&nbsp;learning experience in a supportive environment where students are free to explore their&nbsp;passions, embrace their challenges and find a community of teachers and friends who&nbsp;understand and accept them as they are. Academics: To meet the unique needs of gifted and 2e learners &ndash; students who may have co-occurring&nbsp;learning challenges along with their gifts &ndash; we provide a gifted-level curriculum with built-in&nbsp;scaffolding, developed by credentialed experts in both gifted education and special education,&nbsp;as well as subject-area experts. Small, discussion-based classes ensure our students can&nbsp;engage in stimulating conversation with intellectual peers while receiving individualized attention&nbsp;and support. Talent Development and Experiential Learning: Central to our program is our strengths-based, interest-based approach to learning. All&nbsp;FlexSchool students pursue personal passion projects and choose from a diverse menu of&nbsp;enrichment activities and electives designed to support exploration and talent development. Our&nbsp;signature FlexFriday experiential learning program provides essential connections between&nbsp;classroom learning and the real world. Executive Functioning and Learning Support: All FlexSchool students have access to an extensive range of accommodations, including&nbsp;breaks as needed, daily executive functioning support, flexible seating, extended time, assistive&nbsp;technology and more. Learning Specialist support is available on every FlexSchool campus. Social-Emotional Learning and School Counseling: Our caring team of certified school counselors, under the guidance of a consulting psychologist,&nbsp;provide robust social-emotional learning and social pragmatics programming. Students are&nbsp;welcome to visit the school counselor at any time &ndash; no appointment necessary. FlexSchool&nbsp;counselors also maintain a collaborative relationship with parents and outside providers. Rolling admissions: We understand that student needs don&rsquo;t always neatly align with the academic calendar, so&nbsp;FlexSchool admits students on a rolling basis. To learn more, join FlexSchool founder Jacqui&nbsp;Byrne live via Zoom for a Virtual Open House. To receive a call from our admissions team,&nbsp;inquire online, email us at [email protected] or call 908-279-0787.

Speyer School

Speyer is the only K&ndash;8 independent school for accelerated learners in NYC. At Speyer, students are empowered to pursue their intellectual passions, guided by faculty who help them develop the habits of mind and strength of character to realize their extraordinary potential. We cultivate a deep understanding of who each child really is &mdash; not just as a learner, but as a whole person.