[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_team_member _builder_version=”3.0.84″ name=”Ms. Conklin” position=”Academic Support Coordinator and Learning Specialist” image_url=”https:\/\/students.pingry.org\/record\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/Ms.-Conklin-Courtesy-of-Pingry-Communications.jpg” background_layout=”light”]<\/p>\n
This year, Ms. Susan Conklin joins the Pingry Upper School as the new Academic Support Coordinator and Learning Specialist. In describing her role, Ms. Conklin said, \u201cWhen an aspect of academic rigor poses a challenge to learning, a learning specialist problem solves strategies for students to achieve at a higher academic level.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Ms. Conklin received her B.A. from the City College of New York, her M.S.W. from the Hunter College School of Social Work, and her Ed.S. in Language and Literacy from Simmons College. <\/span><\/p>\n Prior to joining Pingry, Ms. Conklin worked as a Learning Specialist in several different schools, both public and private, and was a psychotherapist in private practice. <\/span><\/p>\n When asked about her first impressions of Pingry, Ms. Conklin commented, \u201cI loved it from the second I got a phone call asking me to interview for this position. I love the students and faculty, and am energized by the four pillars of education the school holds: diversity and inclusion, intellectual engagement, sustainability, and honor. When people live by these four pillars, we sculpt ourselves into the finest human beings on the planet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n In her free time, Ms. Conklin enjoys reading, sailing, traveling, socializing with her friends, and going to the Bugliari Athletic Center. In October, she will be attending the teacher workshops at Comic Con in New York because she knows \u201csome students enjoy reading graphic novels for pleasure, but there are also many themes represented in this growing genre which include significant academic material.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n Ms. Conklin is most excited to live the Pingry life. \u201cI love that students and faculty are intensely involved in all aspects of whatever they are learning and teaching as we grow together,\u201d she said. \u201cPeople here are prompt, engaged, respectful, kind, and happy, so who wouldn\u2019t want to work at a place like that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n When asked about her goals for the school year, Ms. Conklin replied, \u201cTo get to know the specific learning challenges of the students at Pingry. All pathways to learning are valid.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n When asked what obstacles she might encounter, Ms. Conklin said, \u201cKeeping up with the pace of all of the wonderful ways to contribute to this community. But I\u2019m encouraged; I\u2019m just going to \u2018drive\u2019 like a New Jersey driver\u2014with speed, agility, and presence of mind!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Ms. Conklin is delighted to be a part of the Pingry community. \u201cI am happy to be here everyday, and I hope everyone else is too!\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"