Wilson Hall faculty members recently completed “The Spirit of the Capstone,” a year-end professional growth project centered on Mind–Brain Education (MBE) principles and coordinated by Mrs. Stacey Reaves, Head of Upper School and Director of Professional Development. Designed as both a celebration of teaching and an opportunity for meaningful reflection, the capstone encouraged teachers to intentionally redesign and teach a classroom unit through the lens of brain-researched instructional practices.
Faculty members selected units they were already planning to teach and incorporated purposeful MBE strategies such as hands-on learning, cognitive engagement, reflection, feedback, metacognition, student choice, and effective lesson flow. Teachers then collected classroom artifacts, reflected on student learning, and analyzed how instructional decisions impacted engagement and achievement. The project emphasized authentic teaching practice, encouraging faculty to grow from work already happening in their classrooms rather than creating entirely new material.
Throughout the semester, teachers were provided dedicated professional development time to collaborate, brainstorm, and refine their units. The experience culminated in a celebratory Gallery Walk showcase where faculty members shared lesson materials, student work samples, assessments, reflections, and creative classroom strategies with colleagues. The event highlighted the expertise, innovation, and collaborative spirit of the Wilson Hall faculty while reinforcing the school’s strong commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.