A History of PAMKA's Faculty Trust Grants

Almost 30 years ago, in 1978, PAMKA awarded the first Faculty Continuing Education Grant for $150 to Barbara Rabuse to purchase books for her doctoral study. In 1997 the program was renamed the PAMKA Faculty Trust to offer grants to faculty to pursue field-oriented courses that would enlighten them and enrich their students' classroom experience in a unique way. Applications are reviewed by a committee of MKA administrators, parents and former faculty trust recipients from each campus. PAMKA has awarded 56 Faculty Trust Grants for over $ 225,000 during the past decade. Dream destinations have included Africa, Alaska, Belize, Brazil, China, Colorado, Czech Republic, Dar Islam Institute, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Galapagos Islands, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Montana, Nevada, New York, Norway, Oahu, Pacific Northwest, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Vietnam and Woods Hole. Dream projects have included the premiere of a play, recording of a classical CD and the creation and premiere of an artist's large scale portfolio. Recipients enthusiastically share their inspirational experiences with their colleagues, students, parents and the Press.

2010 Faculty Trust Grant Recipients

This year, PAMKA awarded 5 grants for a total of $28,500. The awarded faculty will report on their trips to the entire faculty and administration in late August and ultimately share their experiences with students and parents in the classroom and through the PAMKA Press.

Upper School History Teacher and Department Chair Louise Maxwell will travel to Paris, Berlin, and Copenhagen to explore art, architecture and public spaces. This trip will enrich her understanding of diverse urban environments and also her understanding of how people shape and are shaped by the cities in which they live. Louise anticipates developing a new elective for the history department focusing on the history of cities.

Upper School English Teacher Marianne Burke will travel to Massachusetts and Connecticut to explore literary landmarks and homes of 19th Century American writers. She will document her travels by keeping a journal which will provide details to personally engage students in nineteenth century American Literature. She will be staying at historic inns along the way to “vicariously recreate the experience of a nineteenth century traveler in search of culture and beauty.” Marianne has been teaching the 19th Century American Literature course at the Upper School for the last 13 years and feels this trip will renew that “spark” that drew her to American Literature in college and graduate school.

Middle School Science & Health Education Teacher Dan Weller will travel to Tahiti to view a total eclipse of the sun. This expedition to Papeete, Tahiti, is organized by Paul D. Maley of the NASA Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society and led by Dr. Jacques Guertin and former NASA astronaut Claude Nicollier. The trip will enhance his understanding of this area of science. He will use the photographs and videos he takes while studying the eclipse during class teaching. Dan has coordinated the 6th grade’s science study trip to the Buehler Challenger Space Center.

Middle School Social Studies Teacher Cheryl Amendola will travel to Paris in March to study Thomas Jefferson’s private and public life as an American Ambassador. Her itinerary includes following in his footsteps to all the places Jefferson frequented, including his walk from Paris to Versailles. Her trip will enhance her teaching of the significance of Jefferson to American history and will broaden her understanding of his philosophy and beliefs. Experiencing part of Jefferson’s own journey outside the USA will deepen her understanding of the man, as well. Cheryl coordinates the 8th grade trip to Colonial Williamsburg.

Middle School Math Teacher Nancy Gratz plans to travel to Italy and Greece to study the lives of mathematicians. Her trip will include visits to the birthplaces, structures and museums exhibiting the works of mathematicians, architects and early inventors such as Eratosthenes, Vitruvius, Isidoros and Anthemius. Focusing on the history of mathematics, Nancy will explore other math-based disciplines that incorporate mathematics and architecture. This experience will allow her to “bring the mathematicians to life” and to speak enthusiastically about their brilliance and contributions in each of her math classes.