Since its inception in the fall of 2001, the Paulus Faculty Growth & Learning Program has been the umbrella under which virtually all significant curriculum innovation has taken place at Greenhills. The Science Department’s revision plans, the math enrichment program for 6th grade (2004-2005), the interdisciplinary curriculum initiative with Jazzistry (2003-2004), membership in professional organizations and publications, faculty participation in workshops and conferences both local and national, sponsorship of faculty professional day workshops with Yong Zhao on global education, Ron Ritchhart on Visible Learning, Michael Thompson on high school stress, Alfie Kohn and Grant Wiggins, Peggy Macintosh (leading to a search for and eventual hiring of a director of diversity), the public showing of “Race to Nowhere,” are among myriad professional activities that have encouraged every single faculty member to expand their horizons and talents. Highlighting and promoting Greenhills’ image in the Ann Arbor community, enhancing teaching and learning in the classroom, the PFGLP also represents a key piece in the hiring and retention of quality teachers.
Funding for all this activity continues to be incumbent on superbly written and rigorous PFGLP grant applications consistent with the mission of the school. As one faculty member put it, “the PFGLP affirms the value of what we are trying to do, and helps us to do it better.”
