| Looking back, Looking forward, and celebrating innovation at BHS |
| What a year it’s been! In school year 2025-26, the BHS Innovation Fund proudly invested more than $240,000 in emerging educational initiatives. These investments provided yearlong release time for curricular development for nine faculty members and expanded opportunities for students across every grade level. |  |
| Innovation Fellow: Centering the Humans of Humanitiesin the Age of Artificial Inteligence (Year 1 of 1) BHS educators are confronting profound changes in how students learn, create, and demonstrate understanding. With a $30,000 investment, the Fund’s 2025-26 Innovation Fellow, BHS English teacher Evan Mousseau, helped educators navigate AI use in real time while fostering school-wide conversations about the future of core concepts in education: performance assessment, creativity, and intellectual independence. What skills and habits of mind remain uniquely human?Through research, writing, professional development, and collaboration with colleagues across departments, Evan helped faculty grapple with the new possibilities and challenges presented by AI. His work continued the development of AI 1.0, a professional learning track for BHS educators. Evan also launched Humanities in the Loop, a public Substack (click to subscribe) exploring the emotional and intellectual questions facing educators today. In one widely shared essay, Good Grief, he reflected on the uncertainty and loss many teachers experience as longstanding assumptions about teaching and learning are challenged by this emerging technology. The fellowship culminated in a white paper for school leadership and a practical framework for BHS educators to think about learning and assessment in an AI-enabled world. Together, these efforts have helped position BHS as a thoughtful leader in navigating one of the most significant educational shifts of our time. QUOTE: “This fellowship is giving us faculty the time and structure to wrestle with these types of questions together instead of facing them alone.”-Emily McGinnis, BHS Educator |  Heritage Spanish-Speaker Pathway (Year 2 of 3) This year marked the launch of My Culture, My Heritage – Level 2 in the new World Language pathway – completing the program’s two-course sequence. It runs concurrently with Level 1: My Language, My Heritage. The two courses – taught by Eric Colburn, Marta Fuertes-Rodriguez, Kevin Whitehead and Pedro Mendez – support heritage Spanish students in developing literacy while embracing cultural and linguistic identity. The Fund has invested $97,000 during the the pathway’s first two years. Excerpt from the 2026-27 Course Catalog: This course will explore thematic units based on culture, history, politics, and social justice. Topics such as linguistic differences throughout the Spanish speaking world, power dynamics in how “proper” language is defined, how language impacts identity, assimilation and acculturation, and immigration will be explored through texts in Spanish. Quote: “It feels like we’re all moving on this journey together and improving at the same pace. It’s made for people like us who speak Spanish at home but need a different type of practice. It reminded me that I have a gift and shouldn’t ignore it. I should take advantage of the fact that I have my mom and my culture with me now.”-Natalia Griffin, BHS Student who advanced with the first cohort from Level 1 to Level 2 |  Queer Student Program (QSP) (Year 3 of 3) Since 2023, the Fund has invested $147,000 to launch and grow QSP. Kate Leslie and Stephen Eesley continued to expand the initiative, as a nationally recognized model for supporting LGBTQ+ students through academics, community-building, leadership development, and school-wide education. The program reaches students through a network of offerings designed to foster belonging, affirmation, and engagement. Queer Advisory is a core program offering where students build lasting relationships with peers and trusted adults throughout their high school tenure. Students also have the option to participate in Integrated Wellness, a course focused on mental health, identity, relationships, and personal growth within LGBTQ+ communities. Beyond the classroom, students connect through affinity groups, leadership experiences, and social programs. Collectively, these efforts reach hundreds of students directly and engage thousands more through school-wide forums, helping make BHS a place where all students can learn, lead, and thrive. This year also marked an important milestone with the program’s first Lavender Graduation celebration, honoring seniors who have participated in QSP throughout their time at BHS. For many students, it was both a celebration of achievement and a reflection of the community they helped build. Featured Article: How Brookline Uses Surveys to Support Student Well-Being (The Cypress, February 25, 2026) |
 Justice in Action (Year 1 of 1) Funded at $50,000 during the 2025-26 school year, Justice in Action brought together English and Social Studies in an innovative interdisciplinary experience designed by Marcie Miller and Rob Primmer to reimagine the longstanding Legal Studies course. The new course explores the criminal justice system through literature, history, law, and lived experience while encouraging students to engage critically with questions of justice, equity, and civic responsibility. Students examined high-profile case studies as lenses through which to understand criminal procedure, public perception, race, media, and the broader legal system. Coursework combined rigorous reading, discussion, and writing with documentary films, guest speakers, and experiential learning. A hallmark of the course is its emphasis on real-world engagement. Students learned directly from prosecutors, judges, legal professionals, law enforcers, and formerly incarcerated individuals. Placements to observe professionals on-the-job provided firsthand exposure to the institutions and individuals that shape the criminal justice system. By integrating academic study with community-based learning, students were challenged to think deeply about the systems that affect their lives and communities while developing the analytical, communication, and civic engagement skills essential for informed citizenship. Examples of Student-Directed Research Topics:> To what extent does plea bargaining prioritize efficiency over fairness in the American criminal justice system?> How do systemic issues in the criminal justice system contribute to wrongful accusations and convictions?> How does support from the criminal justice system, rather than punishment, change the trajectory of someone’s life?> To what extent are incarcerated people able to advocate for themselves in a system designed to silence them? |  Innovation Summit (Periodic) The BHS Innovation Fund awarded support for a one-day summer gathering designed to cultivate the next generation of faculty-led initiatives at Brookline High School. Led by Erica O’Mahony, the Summit brought together a small, cross-disciplinary team of educators selected through an open application process. Participants spent the day exploring perceived gaps in the curriculum, developing new instructional ideas, and collaborating with colleagues across departments. The Summit serves as an important entry point into the Fund’s proposal pipeline. Many of the school’s most successful initiatives began as early-stage concepts that benefited from dedicated time for brainstorming, feedback, and proposal development. By creating space for educators to think creatively and collaboratively – outside of the school day – the Summit helps ensure a steady flow of faculty-driven ideas that can ultimately become new courses, programs, and expand students’ access to learning. Participants in this year’s Summit: Eric Schiff, Sara Aggler, Danielle Theissen, Danielle Rabina, Britt Stevens, Ed Wiser, Elizabeth Crane, Alexander Palilunas, and John Andrews. QUOTE: “It gave us the time to do the kind of innovative curriculum building that we always want to do, but rarely have time for during our rigorous teaching schedules. Having the opportunity to work with our colleagues from different departments shook up the kind of thinking and planning we do. It felt so fun to get to be creative in a new way!”- BHS Educatorpost-Summit survey, anonymous |  Faculty Liaison (Ongoing) With support from the BHS Innovation Fund, Faculty Liaison Erica O’Mahony continues to play a critical role in identifying, developing, advancing and promoting innovative academic opportunities at Brookline High School. Acting as a bridge between faculty, school and district leaders, and the Fund, Erica helps educators transform promising ideas into actionable proposals. Throughout the year, she works with teachers to refine concepts, navigate the proposal process, connect with stakeholders, and assess the feasibility and long-term sustainability of potential programs. Through ongoing check-ins, program evaluation, and support for funded teams, Erica helps ensure that investments remain aligned with student needs and positioned for long-term success. During the 2025-26 school year, Erica supported the development of new proposals in science, guidance, and interdisciplinary learning while helping current grantees assess progress and plan for sustainability. Erica also supports efforts that help the Fund measure, communicate, and celebrate its impact while building support for its mission. Everything she does helps ensure that promising teaching ideas move from concept to classroom. Call For Proposals: Faculty interested in exploring new ideas are encouraged to participate in the Fund’s annual grant cycle, which begins each fall with a simple “quick pitch” designed to generate ideas and help innovative concepts gain traction and support. Please reach out: erica_omahony@psbma.org |
| Integrated Curriculum: THANK YOU, INNOVATIVE BHS EDUCATORS! One of the clearest measures of success for the BHS Innovation Fund is when a pilot program becomes a lasting part of Brookline High School’s academic offerings. This year, Justice in Action achieved that milestone.Congratulations to Marcie Miller and Rob Primmer on bringing this innovative interdisciplinary course from concept to an ongoing course offering. Their work demonstrates the lasting impact that educational offerings can have on generations of BHS students. Every course that was launched with financial investment by the Fund is identified in the BHS Course Catalog with our logo. In the 2026-27 catalog, it appears 29 times. |  |
| Looking Ahead to School Year 2026-27 |
| Investing in the Future! As we look ahead to the 2026-27 school year, we are excited to announce funding for a new pilot program, an extension for a high-impact initiative, and a special one-time award. Plus, continuation funding for multi-year initiatives. Together, these investments continue the Fund’s mission of supporting faculty-driven innovation and benefiting BHS students. |
| NEW: Life After BHS: Counseling Curriculum (Guidance) This initiative, led by Sara Aggeler (L) and Eric Schiff (C), with Department Chair Alexia Thomas (R), will redesign Brookline High School’s guidance seminar program into a yearlong, student-centered curriculum. They will develop and pilot weekly small-group seminars for juniors and seniors that provide consistent, personalized support throughout the post-secondary planning process. The new curriculum will give students the time and structure to explore their interests, strengths, values, and goals while building individualized plans for life after high school. The program is designed to help every student make informed, confident decisions about their future, whether that path leads directly to a four-year or community college, career training, apprenticeships, or employment. By providing the kind of sustained guidance often available only through private college counseling, the initiative aims to reduce stress, expand access to opportunities, and ensure that every BHS student graduates with a thoughtful, well-matched plan for their next step. If successful, the curriculum will become a lasting part of the guidance program and transform how BHS prepares students for adulthood. |  |
| EXTENSION: Queer Student Program (Interdisciplinary) Following the successful completion of its initial pilot period, the Queer Student Program has been awarded an extension to sustain its core programming while school and district leaders work toward a permanent funding solution. This extension led by Stephen Eesley and Kate Leslie will ensure continuity for the many students who rely on the program’s academic, social, and community-building offerings while preserving the momentum built over the past three years. |  |
| SPECIAL AWARD: Program Pipeline Development (Interdisciplinary) Innovation begins long before a proposal reaches the Fund’s Program Committee. To cultivate the next generation of ideas, the Fund is investing up to $10,000 in faculty planning time through a two-day summer innovation workshop. Bringing together educators from across departments, the workshop encourages faculty to identify important challenges facing students, learn from successful Fund projects, and develop new ideas through collaboration, peer feedback, and proposal coaching. Participants leave with stronger concepts and a roadmap for developing proposals during the Fund’s fall grant cycle. Today’s planning sessions catalyze tomorrow’s pilot programs, ensuring that innovation at BHS remains educator-driven, student-centered, and responsive to the evolving needs of the school community. The Fund doesn’t just support innovative programs – it invests in the conditions that allow innovative ideas to emerge. |  |
| Leadership – Comings and Goings |
 “What impresses me most about the Fund is the way it continues to draw out the creativity and commitment of BHS educators.” – Rob Lawrence, Co-Chair, BHS Innovation Fund Left to Right: Ben Stern (BHS Innovation Fund, Co-Chair), Mona Mowafi (Vice Chair), Rob Lawrence (Co-Chairs) THANKS TO OUR NEW AND RETURNING LEADERS: Ronit Antebi-Hadar, Scott Anthony, Annemieke Atema, Oliver Bardon, Aman Bhandari, Garrett Broadrup, Kimberly Castro, Susan Dubin, Cher Duffield, Christina Grady, Sarah Jay, Peter Johannsen, Rob Lawrence, Anne Le Brun, Nancy Lee, Andrew Liteplo, Jodi Maciag, Katerina Makatouni, Dwight Mathis, Mona Mowafi, Robert Neer, Eric Niloff, Charu Puri-Sharma, Rahim Rajpar, Thom Ricke, Mathilde Ross, Rachel Sater, Tracy Shupp, Eli Silk, Lesley Solomon, Ben Stern, David Weisner, Deborah Wexler, Michael Wexler and Julie Wingerter. WE APPRECIATE YOU: Several longtime Fund volunteer leaders are passing the baton this year.Jennifer Amigone, Maria Arado-McDonald, Sara Berkson, Gene Keselman, Mary Lochner Hurwitz, Xianhua Piao, Sumeet Sabharwal and Dawn Tringas.All the best to you, your wonderful families, and especially your BHS graduates! These volunteers work together to steward the Fund’s mission, evaluate proposals, support fundraising efforts, and ensure that innovative ideas reach BHS classrooms. |
| SAVE THE DATE:Celebrate Innovative Academics at BHS! |
  | MARK YOUR CALENDARS!GALA-RAMA, Thursday, November 5, 2026 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! CONGRATULATIONS: TAPPAN GREEN In Fall 2025, the Fund honored the faculty team who led the pilot program: Reimagining the Restaurant and Culinary Pathway. Tappan Green catered the unforgettable celebration and put the Fund’s mission front and center. STAY TUNED FOR EVENT DETAILS AND FOR THE REVEAL OF THE 2026 HONOREE! |
 SEE BHS RUN! More than just a race, the 5K Walk/Run for Innovation brought together students, families, educators, alumni, and community members in support of innovative academics at Brookline High School. Together, participants and sponsors helped raise more than $30,000 to support the school. Congratulations to everyone who crossed the finish line – and thank you to our volunteers, sponsors, and participants for making the event a success. We can’t wait to see an even bigger field next year! Find race results: HERE! Start and Finish line photos HERE! |
| IMPACT |
 “At BHS, our goal is to help students become thoughtful, adaptable, and compassionate people – ready to lead and learn in the real world. The BHS Innovation Fund makes that possible by allowing teachers to reimagine what education needs to look like next.” – 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 someone’s accomplishments? Show it with a gift!  |
| 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. |