trevordayschool

Emily Bracchitta and I came to Trevor together in 2014. For her, it was a homecoming to the school she has loved for four decades. Emily has served in several vital roles since her return. She has been a hard-working Director of Lower School Admissions and Financial Aid, overseeing admissions during the Lower School's move to the Upper West Side. She then served as Director of Alumni Relations, working to connect with Trevor, The Day School, and Walden New Lincoln graduates while expanding our alumni program. Recently, Emily has combined her two loves: teaching reading in the Lower School library and mentoring our associate teachers. Emily has enjoyed a varied and splendid career. She came to The Day School first in 1981 as a Pre-K Teacher, later transitioned to a First Grade Lead Teacher, and then Admissions Associate. Her work then led her to Marymount College where she was Residence Director, and then, from 1990–2000, to the School of the Holy Child as Director of Admission and Financial Aid. She then became Upper School Director at Village Community School, and Middle School Director at Cheshire Academy. In 2010, Emily moved to Applewild School in Fitchburg, MA as Admission Director. That is where I met and came to know her extraordinary work—as a competitor to my own school, Bancroft School. I was thrilled when she joined us in 2014. Emily has recently completed her certification at Columbia University as an Executive Coach. Following her retirement, she will continue her passion of assisting teachers and administrators in their personal and professional development. Few people are better positioned. Please join me in thanking Emily for her stupendous work at Trevor. Best wishes and congratulations to her and her family as she takes this next step in helping other educators. Scott R. Reisinger Head of School, Emeritus As my third associate teaching year ends, I'm reflecting on the mentorship Emily Bracchita has given me from the start since I've been at Trevor. I had not taught before—therefore, teaching in the middle of a pandemic seemed an especially daunting task. Our weekly one-on-one meetings were lifesavers. She took the time to listen and consistently provided a helpful perspective on whatever challenge I raised. Emily offered great resources for associates to support the formation of our own pedagogy and frameworks, as well as tools for preparing for family conferences and writing reports. She even lent an ear to listen and gave kind words of support in moments where I lacked confidence. Additionally, Emily took the time to help with special projects. I'll never forget a moment when Emily supported me through the process of a presentation I was chosen to do. I was tasked, along with some of my peers, with leading and creating a curriculum for DEI Interreligious Understanding & Conflict Resolution that we presented as four workshops for Trevor Upper School students. Emily met with me as I prepared for each workshop during the school day and after hours, in both planned and spur of the moment meetings. She generously gave me feedback and let me practice as much as I needed. Thanks to her guidance, I felt confident about the presentation and really enjoyed the experience. "Transitions" was the theme of the most recent workshop Emily led for the Associate Teachers. She mentioned her retirement, and shared what her own transition will look like as she moves through her last weeks. Then she invited us to reflect on our own end-of-year goals. As my time as an associate at Trevor is ending as well, I realized I was more prepared for my own transition having had Emily model what a great mentor can and should be. Sally Clark First Grade Associate Teacher Faculty Retirements EMILY WALKER BRACCHITTA Education Specialist, Lower School Library Coordinator of Teaching Associates 8 / TREVOR MAGAZINE SUMMER 2022–2023

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