Benjamin Faculty, Staff Present at FCIS

Four members of The Benjamin School community traveled to the Florida Council of Independent School’s (FCIS) annual conference held in Orlando from November 6-8 where they shared their expertise in a wide range of presentations. 

The conference is an opportunity for educators across the state to share ideas, discover new strategies, and collaborate on the challenges facing Florida’s independent schools. 

Head of School Mr. Dave Faus was among the Benjamin faculty who presented and offered a workshop on best-practices surrounding faculty hiring and recruiting. 

Head of Middle School Mr. Charles Hagy shared his experience cultivating a school culture of empathy and compassion in a presentation by the same name. 

A long-time division head and Holocaust Studies teacher, Hagy recently traveled to Europe, where what started as a trip to study historic sites became “a powerful pilgrimage for the soul.” 

He and his group bore witness to the legacy of human bravery, cruelty, suffering, and hope. Anchored in these experiences, he developed a school culture initiative that may be customized to the unique needs of any school community, targeted at eliminating hatred while increasing empathy, advocacy, and kindness. 

Hagy offered FCIS attendees a workshop that included format, strategies, and resources for building a healthy and positive school culture. 

Dr. Amanda Pierman, upper school science teacher, presented on the topic of “augmented inclusion” and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom. 

Her session provided educators with practical ways to integrate AI into their classrooms to support differentiated instruction and help all students thrive.

Second grade teacher Buckley Griffis presented a medicine circle with teachers that involved three rounds of setting intentions and playing drums. 

Library Media Specialists Danielle Griffis and Maureen Kane presented “Books & Breath: Yoga in the Library” to their peers. 

In an innovative presentation, participants experienced the connection between a story’s theme and a short yoga practice that introduced basic yoga instruction techniques that educators can incorporate into their classrooms. 

“The pairing of literature and yoga creates a meaningful lesson that students remember and can practice outside the library or classroom,” Griffis said.