Beaver Reflections:
I graduated from Beaver in 2011. I started in 7th grade and came from a Montessori school. I remember taking a media class with Mr Greenberg in 8th grade around the 2008 election that really got me fired up about being a more engaged citizen, even in 8th grade. I ran for class president in 9th grade. That came from teachers being really invested in me, pushing me to do things that were outside of my comfort zone but they could see were within my potential. NuVu started when I was there and I did it my senior year. We would go to this rented office space in Kendall Square. It was just getting started and it ended up being so ahead of my college experiences in terms of getting coding curriculum and tech into the classroom. If I had to choose a standout teacher, especially in this moment, it’s Mr. Christie’s boys of color group that I was a part of, Mr. Christie and Jesse Harmon. I think now it’s a students of color group. Once a month we would just check in on life at Beaver. We would talk about how our classes were going, if you were able to take electives, how were they going to help you? We even talked about grades. It was a space to come together and make sure that people from marginalized groups and underrepresented groups are given the resources to succeed and thrive.
What is #happeningnow in your life:
I went to Middlebury after Beaver and helped lead a group called Distinguished Men of Color that was just like Mr. Christie’s group. My experiences at Middlebury spurred me to pursue an educational studies master’s program at Tufts University, with a focus on diversity. I looked for a broad master’s program that would allow me to “build my own track” and pursue what I want, which reminds me of how Beaver gives their students the flexibility to sculpt their studies. I met some people who worked at the Africana Center at Tufts. They said, “We’ve got this men of color group and it meets every Friday,” and I was like, “I want to do that!” Now, I am working for Ab Initio Software and love it. When they reached out to me they described a working environment, this is going to sound very Beaver, where if you have a passion about some project, they’ll bend over backwards to support it. I was telling them I want to incorporate diversity and inclusion practices into recruiting while still working within Ab Initio’s culture. I’ve been there for a little over a year and we’re doing just that. I still facilitate that group at Tufts every Friday, in kind of the Mr. Christie role for college students. I’m also on the board of the Montessori School I went to. I’m the head of the alumni engagement committee and also have worked with them on diversity and inclusion
“I chose Beaver because of their reputation as a “progressive teaching” school and the innovative methods they use in the classroom. They are constantly pushing for ways to innovate how they teach.”
– Taylor Pierce ’11
Advice to Beaver students:
Beaver provides so many opportunities, so do not be afraid to try things and get involved with activities that may push you outside of your comfort zone. If you already know what you are passionate about, then use the resources that Beaver has to work towards that goal.
