Veteran vs New Teacher Q&A

Gilman School's reputation for academic and athletic excellence is very well known, but for new faculty members, it’s the welcoming environment that makes a lasting impression. Beyond the accomplishments and success of Gilman, its genuine community and support leave a great first impression. Whether you’ve been at Gilman all your life or are new, Mr. Herman and Ms. Grabarczyk offer two unique perspectives on how Gilman is such a welcoming place.

Mr. Herman came from a boarding school in Cecil County, Maryland, in 2010, and joined Gilman with the  hopes of finding a community where he could “teach, coach, and advise.” Before looking into a job at Gilman, Mr. Herman had never heard of the school, but something that “[he] really liked about it was their mind, body, and spirit motto.”Mr. Herman also appreciated how friendly and caring the people were. When asked what teacher made him feel welcome, he replied with “there wasn’t only one teacher that made me feel welcome, but someone that stood out to me was Mr. Malkus. He is very kind, friendly, and is always very thoughtful.” In Mr. Herman’s first years at Gilman, he coached JV soccer with Mr. Lauer and Mr. Goldman, who also played a huge role in making him feel welcome. 

Mr. Grabarczyk’s experience shows that Gilman's welcoming tradition is not just something in the past, but also is a big part of Gilman’s identity today. Ms. Grabarczyk is a new Penn Fellow earning her master's degree in Education from Penn University while teaching classics at Gilman. After receiving her degree in classics from Johns Hopkins, she wanted to teach others the Latin language. When Ms. Grabarczyk first came to Gilman for her interview, “I really liked the people I met here and the environment.” Before coming to Gilman, she had already heard a little about its reputation. “I didn't know much about it, but I knew it was a very good school, and I knew that the standard of excellence at Gilman was very high.” Speaking to the welcoming nature of our community, Ms. Grabarczyk says that “there hasn't been a teacher who hasn't made me feel welcome, but I think I would shout out Ms. Knapp and Mr. Zealand, who help run the Penn program. They definitely were a big reason for making me feel welcome. But then I will also shout out Ms. Bhalla, who was a Penn fellow herself and really is so generous in giving her time.”

The different stories from Mr. Herman and Ms. Grabarczyk show that no matter their background and when they came to Gilman, they both received the same amount of respect, kindness, and sense of belonging. While Gilman has a reputation for academic and athletic excellence, it is the welcoming culture that leaves a lasting impression on faculty. As Gilman continues to grow and evolve, the tradition of making everyone feel welcome should remain a fundamental part of the school's identity.