Teaching is the art of igniting curiosity and passion within young minds, and while it is a noble profession, it comes with its own set of challenges. It is a demanding role where teachers not only pursue their own passions but also inspire students to embrace and love their subjects. For science educators, this challenge is both exhilarating and intricate, involving the transformation of abstract concepts into tangible, hands-on experiences.
Joan Gillman, a distinguished science teacher at The Browning School, excels in this realm, setting high benchmarks with her innovative methods and deep commitment to her students. In her class, scientific principles become engaging discoveries that captivate and educate. Let’s learn more about how she is shaping the future of tomorrow.
From Passion to Profession
Joan Gillman’s journey as an educator has been deeply shaped by her passion for exploration, a passion amplified by her National Geographic Certification. Inspired by the captivating stories and imagery she loved as a child, Joan pursued this certification after discovering it at the Science Teachers Association of New York State conference. The rigorous process involved creating detailed lesson plans and a capstone video, pushing Joan to evolve as an educator. The certification has granted her access to invaluable resources and a network of esteemed educators, enriching her teaching methods and offering new perspectives. This experience has not only transformed Joan’s curriculum but also deepened her commitment to inspiring wonder and curiosity in her students.
The Browning School
Today’s Boys, Tomorrow’s Men
Founded in 1888, The Browning School is a leading institution in New York City, serving boys from Kindergarten through Grade 12. The school is committed to academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and character development. Browning’s curriculum balances rigorous academics with a strong emphasis on the arts, athletics, and community service. Its mission is to nurture responsible, well-rounded individuals who are prepared to lead and contribute meaningfully to society, focusing on both knowledge and the development of wisdom and character.
| Challenging Stereotypes | Intentional & Research-based | Expansive Expectations |
| 45% Students Of Color | 30+ Clubs and Organizations | 22 Athletic Team |
At The Browning School, a strong emphasis is placed on fostering a close-knit community where each student is known and valued. The faculty, passionate and dedicated, work closely with students to support their growth both academically and personally. Small class sizes and individualized attention ensure that students receive the guidance they need to excel. The school’s rich history is complemented by its forward-thinking approach, integrating modern educational practices with time-honored traditions. This blend of the past and present creates a unique learning environment where students are encouraged to explore their interests, develop their talents, and emerge as confident and capable young men.
Navigating Early Challenges
Challenges are the stepping stones to personal growth; and Joan Gillman’s journey is no exception. Her early years as a teacher were marked by a significant challenge: she appeared very young, almost indistinguishable from her students in terms of age. This made it difficult to establish authority and maintain effective classroom management.
However, Joan quickly recognized the importance of setting clear procedures and consistently enforcing them. She understood that establishing well-defined rules and expectations from the beginning of the school year was crucial in creating a structured and orderly environment where learning could thrive. This realization was a turning point in her career, leading to a marked improvement in her classroom management skills and overall effectiveness as an educator.
In addition to mastering classroom management,Joan Gillman emphasizes the importance of continuous professional development in staying fresh and effective as a teacher. She has consistently sought out opportunities to learn and grow, whether through certifications like the Modern Classroom Project or workshops at the American Museum of Natural History. By continually updating her knowledge and incorporating new ideas into her curriculum, Joan ensures that her teaching remains dynamic and engaging. This commitment to lifelong learning not only benefits her students but also keeps her passion for teaching alive, allowing her to overcome challenges and continue to excel in her profession.
Transforming Classrooms into Havens of Curiosity
Revolutionizing learning means continuously upgrading our methods to inspire the minds of tomorrow, and Joan Gillman is very passionate about it. She tries bringing innovation and enthusiasm to every lesson. Her motivation stems from a deep love of teaching and a desire to reignite the spark in educators who may feel drained or burned out. Through workshops at national conferences like the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), Joan shares her dynamic teaching methods with peers, from launching straw rockets to seamlessly integrating equity and diversity into STEM curricula. These workshops allow her to connect with fellow educators, inspiring them to bring renewed energy and creativity back to their classrooms.
At The Browning School, Joan Gillman has found a perfect environment to implement her innovative ideas. The school’s emphasis on continuous professional development and its commitment to equitable and diverse educational practices resonate with her teaching philosophy. Joan enjoys the opportunity to incorporate hands-on, project-based learning into her science curriculum, making subjects like engineering and environmental science both accessible and engaging for her students. By sharing her methods with educators nationwide, Joan contributes to a broader movement toward dynamic and inclusive education, ensuring that both teachers and students experience the joy of discovery and learning.
The Future of Education: Technology & Sustainability
Joan is keenly aware of the rapid evolution of technology in education, a shift she has witnessed firsthand throughout her teaching career. From her early days of using blackboards and chalk in the South Bronx to the current use of Chromebooks in her classroom, Joan has seen how technology has transformed the way students learn and engage with information.
One of the most pressing challenges she currently faces is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. While AI offers immense potential for enhancing teaching and learning, Joan is also concerned about its misuse, particularly when students rely on AI to complete assignments instead of developing their own critical thinking skills. She believes that AI should be used as a tool to support learning, not replace the effort and intellectual engagement required from students.
Despite these challenges, Joan embraces the benefits of technology, particularly tools like the smart board, which have revolutionized how she presents information. By using different colors to highlight key facts and quickly accessing images and videos, Joan can make abstract concepts more tangible and accessible for her students. She is excited about the potential for technology to continue transforming education, but she is also a strong advocate for balancing these advancements with the fundamental goal of fostering genuine learning. Joan believes that while technology can enhance education, it should not detract from the importance of teaching students to think critically and independently.
Striking a Chord
Joan Gillman is not only a dedicated educator but also a passionate musician, a talent she has nurtured since childhood. Her love for music began early, with piano lessons that eventually led her to perform as a professional piano accompanist for ballet classes at the age of 15. Later in life, Joan discovered a new passion for the violin, which quickly became a central part of her life. Today, she is an active member of three orchestras—the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, the North Jersey Symphony, and the August Symphony Orchestra—each providing her with an outlet for her creativity and a source of personal fulfillment.
Balancing her teaching responsibilities with her musical pursuits requires careful planning and a deep commitment to both her professional and personal passions. Joan meticulously schedules her time to ensure that she can meet her obligations as a teacher while also dedicating time to practice her instruments and perform with her orchestras. She finds that her involvement in music not only enriches her life but also enhances her effectiveness as a teacher. Music provides Joan with a creative outlet that allows her to return to the classroom with renewed energy and inspiration. Her ability to harmonize her professional and personal interests is a testament to her discipline and creativity, making her a well-rounded and fulfilled individual.
Commitment to Inspiring Students beyond the Classroom
At the heart ofJoan Gillman’s teaching philosophy is a deep commitment to inspiring her students to embrace lifelong learning. Joan hopes that when her students leave her classroom, they carry with them not just knowledge but also a passion for continuous learning. She wants them to understand that education is not confined to the walls of a classroom; it is a lifelong journey that extends far beyond their school years. By encouraging her students to be curious, open to new ideas, and eager to make their own contributions to the world, Joan aims to instill in them a love for learning that will last a lifetime.
Joan models this behavior through her own commitment to professional development and personal growth. She continuously seeks out new knowledge and experiences, not only to enhance her teaching but also to enrich her own life. Joan’s dedication to lifelong learning is evident in the way she approaches her work, always striving to improve and evolve as an educator. She believes that by demonstrating this commitment to her students, she can inspire them to pursue their own passions and continue learning long after they have left her classroom. Joan’s legacy as an educator is one of inspiration, guiding her students to see learning as a lifelong adventure.
Nurturing Leadership from Early On
True leadership is not about holding a position of power; it’s about taking action for the greater good and inspiring others to do the same.
Joan Gillman’s experience with the Green Team exemplifies the profound impact early leadership opportunities can have on students. She recalls a sixth grader who, after learning about global water shortages, spearheaded a fundraiser that raised over $1,000 for water.org. This initiative demonstrated how a single student’s leadership could mobilize an entire group to make a real-world impact. For Joan, such experiences underscore the importance of embedding leadership into education, as it not only fosters individual growth but also equips students to address pressing global issues with confidence and purpose.
Joan firmly believes that leadership should be nurtured from an early age, as it plays a crucial role in shaping responsible, proactive citizens. At The Browning School, she actively incorporates leadership development into her curriculum, particularly through the Green Team, a student-led environmental club. Joan’s students don’t just learn about environmental conservation—they take charge of weekly “green actions,” from promoting energy conservation to organizing clean-up drives in Central Park. These activities empower students to lead by example, making tangible contributions to their community while developing their leadership skills.
Guiding the Next Generation
With years of experience under her belt,Joan Gillman is well-positioned to offer valuable advice to aspiring teachers who wish to make a lasting impact on their students. She emphasizes the importance of ongoing professional development, recognizing that education is a field that requires constant learning and adaptation. Joan encourages new teachers to actively seek out conferences, workshops, and other learning opportunities to stay updated with the latest educational practices. She also highlights the value of collaboration, urging new educators to seek help and feedback from their colleagues when faced with challenges. Joan believes that teaching is a collaborative profession and that no teacher should feel isolated in their journey.
“If I can actually turn on the light and make teachers who are perhaps starting to drain or get burned out, if I can get that spark back into their teaching, this is really my motivation.”
Joan Gillman
Another piece of advice that Joan offers is to maintain a sense of humor and patience, as teaching comes with both rewards and challenges. She views teaching not just as a job but as a calling, driven by a deep passion that fuels her dedication to her students. This passion is essential for success, enabling educators to genuinely care for their students and commit to their success. Joan’s advice to aspiring teachers is to embrace both the challenges and joys of the profession, recognizing that their efforts can profoundly impact their students’ lives.
