YEAR IN REVIEW: Looking back, Looking forward, and celebrating innovation at BHS

What a year it’s been! In 2024–25, the BHS Innovation Fund proudly supported six impactful academic initiatives at Brookline High School, investing over $250,000 in educational innovation. This funding included year-long course releases for 10 faculty members and more than $20,000 in curriculum planning outside the regular school day.

Innovation Fellow: Public Memory (Year 1 of 1)As the Fund’s 2024–2025 Innovation Fellow, BHS Social Studies teacher Mark Wheeler guided students to explore how Brookline’s public memory is constructed – through what is memorialized in signage and statues – and what has been left out. Students created words and images based on their own original research that contribute to the evolving historical narrative. Student work: Collaborating with Librarians and fellow Social Studies teachers, Mark helped develop new curriculum. Illuminated Brookline involved students researching and designing plaques for Brookline sites tied to slavery and resistance (see below), while Brookline Like Me connected students’ research on Brookline’s immigrant past to the experiences of newly arrived migrants, including current BHS students. These projects engaged students in public history, archival research, and storytelling that fostered a stronger sense of community and belonging. Explore their work here: Illuminated Brookline: Stories of Slavery & Resistance in Brookline.

Heritage Spanish-Speaker Pathway (Year 1 of 3)This first year in a two-year sequence, led by Eric Colburn and Marta Fuertes, supported heritage Spanish students in developing literacy while embracing cultural and linguistic identity. Course excerpt (Year 1: “My Languages, My Heritage”): A literature-based course for primarily 9th graders that explores identity and builds literacy in Spanish. Students engage in essay writing, critical reading, and discussion, leveraging bilingual skills to support academic growth. Quote: “Many students who are connected to the language want to take a Spanish class because they want to be more connected to their culture and their heritage but what happens is -because they’ve learned it a different way, by speaking it at home or hearing it at home – their linguistic needs are completely different.”-BHS Faculty

Queer Student Program (QSP)  (Year 2 of 3)With approximately $44,000 in funding throughout the 2024-25 school year Kate Leslie and Julia Mangan led the expansion of this trailblazing program for LGBTQ+ students. The QSP is building a strong culture of belonging at BHS and impacting a significant number of students through the following programming:– Monthly OUTstanding Speaker Series – About 400 students attended one of the 9 separate talks9th and 10th Grade Queer Advisories – 15 students per section in these Advisory classesQueer Wellness – ~30 students signed up tfor the clasGSA – ~25 regular members who come weekly during X-BlockQueer Student of Color Lunch – There are ~20 regular members who come weekly during one of the lunch blocksQAC – ~10 regular members who come weekly on Thursdays after-schoolQueer Student Union Drop-In Space – ~50 students regularly utilize this space as a hang-out spaceBrookline Pride Parade – ~100 middle and high school students attended this event in MayLGBTQ Day of Dialogue Assemblies – The whole student body (~2,200) attends these assemblies Quote: “These teacher volunteers are wonderful. They help me with homework. They’re incredibly supportive. And I find that this is honestly where I feel most of my support.”- BHS Student

Data Science for Social Justice  (Year 3 of 3)Funded at $64,000 in school year 24/25 for three teachers, this course empowered students to use data to analyze real-world inequities. Created by Danielle Rabina, Danielle Theissen, and Christopher Monschauer, it blends statistics, ethics, and social inquiry. Course excerpt: Students build skills with tools like R, R-Studio, Tableau, and Google Platforms, applying concepts like regression and machine learning to case studies focused on social justice. Open to 11th and 12th graders who have completed Algebra 2. CLICK HERE to learn more about the course. Quote: “I think more teachers need to incorporate these types of projects into their lessons.”- BHS Student

Social Emotional Learning Tutorial (SEL-T)  (Year 3 of 3)With a $46,000 investment in school year 24/25, Laura Gurry and Jennifer Hanaghan integrated social-emotional learning into Tutorial blocks. Students practiced self-regulation, stress management, and self-advocacy – boosting academic performance and personal confidence. Quote: “I absolutely love taking Tutorial – it was incredibly helpful to me… really great community and it’s a great time in your day to get teachers to help you organize yourself and get your work done – and just support overall.”- BHS Student

Faculty LiaisonWith a commitment in school year 24/25 funded at $45,000, Erica O’Mahony plays a critical role in program development, implementation, and evaluation – serving as a trusted connector between educators, administrators, and the Fund. The Grant Cycle: Faculty are encouraged to submit a “quick pitch” in the fall. The Faculty Liaison helps develop ideas into full proposals for consideration by the Fund’s Program Committee. With input from departments, BHS leadership, PSB, and the School Committee – and based on available funding – awards are approved in the spring for pilots programs that are typically multi-year endeavors. Interested faculty, please reach out: erica_omahony@psbma.org

Pilot Program Roll-offs: THANK YOU, INNOVATIVE TEACHERS!Two pilot programs funded by the Innovation Fund have now been integrated into the permanent BHS curriculum and will continue – proof of the long-term impact of our investments:Data Science for Social Justice has been added to the course catalog. Congratulations to Josh Paris, Danielle Rabina, Danielle Theissen and Christopher Monschauer!Social Emotional Learning Tutorial (SEL-T) has been embedded into the core Tutorial structure. Congratulations to Scott Barkett, Laura Gurry, Jennifer Hanaghan and Heather Giblin!

Looking Ahead to School Year 2025-26

ANNOUNCING NEW AWARDS! We are excited to fund two new one-year pilot programs and an expansion of the Heritage Spanish-Speaker Pathway.

INNOVATION FELLOW: Centering the Humans of Humanities in the Age of AIHelping educators and students navigate the opportunities and tensions of AI while centering creativity, critical thinking, and intellectual independenceAs AI tools become more widely used in educational spaces, humanities teachers face unique challenges and opportunities. English teacher Evan Mousseau will work as the 25/26 Innovation Fellow to explore three interconnected strands of this work: supporting teachers in leveraging AI tools to enhance their instructional practice, equipping students with the skills to use AI responsibly and ethically, and preserving the uniquely human aspects of the humanities. The project will create a sustainable framework for AI literacy by researching, developing, and providing resources and professional development for teachers, creating curriculum materials that promote clarity of purpose when using – and not using – AI, and fostering a culture at BHS in which technology supports, rather than replaces, human thinking and connection. JUSTICE IN ACTIONAn interdisciplinary, two-block Social Studies and English course – led by Marcie Miller and Rob Primmer exploring legal studies through case studies, journalism, fiction, personal narratives, film, and experiential learning.This elective focuses specifically on the criminal justice system, providing students with opportunities to learn about its structure and processes, including the differences between civil and criminal law and the full procedure of the criminal justice system—from arrest to trial, sentencing, and post-trial outcomes.Students will conduct in-depth studies of two major cases—the O.J. Simpson case and the Charles Stuart case—to explore key issues in criminal procedure. Concurrently, students will read literature and view films that reflect these themes.In the third quarter, students will complete four observation hours per week, replacing three class days. During remaining class periods, they will participate in internships – such as the Citizens Police Academy, discussing contemporary issues in policing such as de-escalation, mental health, less-lethal weapons, drug enforcement, and domestic sex trafficking..Students will complete final projects in both English and Social Studies: a mock trial packet and either a screenplay or a research paper. The course is divided into two sections—one taught by an English teacher and one by a Social Studies teacher—that meet in separate blocks but periodically come together for joint instruction. HERITAGE SPANISH-SPEAKER PATHWAY: Year 2 – “My Culture, My Heritage”Led by Kevin Whitehead and Pedro Mendez, this concurrent second-year course continues the work of “My Languages, My Heritage” through thematic units on culture, politics, and identity.Course excerpt: Students explore language and power, identity and assimilation, and immigration through Spanish-language texts. Emphasis is placed on how “proper” language is defined and its social implications. SPECIAL AWARD: Innovation SummitThe Fund awarded the Future of BHS: Innovation Summit, a one-day summer gathering where educators workshop transformative ideas. Led by Erica O’Mahony, the Summit invites small cross-departmental teams – selected via open application – to develop bold proposals for 2025–26 and beyond.

READ ABOUT ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS

Leadership – Comings and Goings

“Serving on the Innovation Fund board has been a meaningful way I’ve been able to give back to my kids’ school. It’s a privilege to support the incredible educators at BHS who are creating forward-thinking educational opportunities that benefit all students. Being part of that work – helping turn great ideas into real opportunities for kids – is deeply rewarding and this team of parent volunteers is a pleasure to work with.”- Ben Stern, Co-Chair, BHS Innovation Fund Co-Chairs, Ben Stern (L) and Rob Lawrence (R), Vice Chair, Mona Mowafi (C) and Treasurer, David Weisner (no shown) will continue as the strong and stable officers of the Board of Directors. THANKS TO OUR RETURNING LEADERS: Jennifer Amigone, Ronit Antebi-Hadar, Maria Arado-McDonald, Annemieke Atema, Oliver Bardon, Sara Berkson, Kimberly Castro, Susan Dubin, Cher Duffield, Elizabeth Gardner, Natasha Goldman Homann, Melissa Hale Woodman, Peter Johannsen, Gene Keselman, Adi Kitov, Anne Le Brun, Nancy Lee, Andrew Liteplo, Jodi Maciag, Katerina Makatouni, Dwight Mathis, Robert Neer, Charu Puri-Sharma, Rahim Rajpar, Tracy Shupp, Eli Silk, Lesley Solomon, Sumeet Sabharwal, Dawn Tringas, Audrey Winter-Driben WE APPRECIATE YOU: Fund volunteer leaders are also passing on the baton this year:Helen Cheng, Seth Finkelstein, Deborah Fung, James Kessler, Mary Lochner Hurwitz, Meghan McGrath, Polly Ribatt, Eric Sillman, Jennifer Wells, and Molly Yancovitz. All the best to you, your wonderful families, and especially your BHS graduates!

WHO WE ARE

Join Us – Celebrate Innovative Academics at BHS!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!The biggest fundraiser of the year for Brookline High School – an evening of community, celebration, and support for innovative academics for all BHS students. WANT TO GET INVOLVED?We’re actively recruiting volunteers over the summer to help out this fall.Have ideas or energy to contribute? Contact the Host Committee team! STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS!

“Our Innovation Fund is incredibly valuable – not just for the high school, but for me personally. It helps us launch new courses and programs, attract and retain outstanding teachers, and make a real impact on these kids.”- Anthony Meyer, Head of School Left to Right: Anthony Meyer (BHS Head of School, Erica O’Mahony (BHS Innovation Fund Faculty Liaison, Ben Stern & Rob Lawrence (BHS Innovation Fund Co-Chairs)

HONOR SOMEONE’S HARD WORK! Proud of a loved one’s accomplishments in the 24/25 academic year? Show it with a gift in their honor!

DONATE

At the Brookline High School Innovation Fund, our mission is to catalyze innovation at BHS by supporting faculty-driven curricular initiatives that will inspire our students and prepare them to thrive in a changing world.