Faculty Development
At Austin Prep, professional development is a cornerstone of exceptional teaching and meaningful student growth. Our faculty engage in learning experiences from sabbaticals and collaborative workshops centered on leadership, faith, and student well-being. These opportunities empower our teachers to explore new perspectives and bring innovation back to the classroom. By investing in the continuous growth of our teachers, Austin Prep creates an environment where both faculty and students thrive.
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Summer Sabbaticals Spark Fresh Ideas for the Classroom
Summer Sabbaticals are an investment in our faculty that pay dividends in the quality of instruction our students receive. Recently, Austin Prep faculty members were awarded summer sabbaticals to pursue projects that enrich their teaching and expand opportunities for students!
Mr. Eric Smith, who teaches Middle School theology, traveled to Rome for a pilgrimage during the Jubilee year, visiting Augustinian churches and historic sites such as the Colosseum. His journey deepened his knowledge of Church history and St. Augustine’s legacy.
Ms. Katie Clark, a member of the Art and Design Department, participated in a Broadway intensive in New York City, attending workshops on choreography, staging, and acting, as well as performances and a visit to the Museum of Broadway. She returned with new inspiration for Austin Prep drama classes and productions.
Faculty Workshops
Austin Prep faculty and department chairs engaged in professional development focused on leadership, faith, and student well-being. Through collaboration with Boston College’s Roche Center and insights from counselor Phyllis Fagell, educators strengthened their ability to support both academic excellence and social-emotional growth. These experiences strengthen Austin Prep’s commitment to transformational teaching rooted in mission, innovation, and care for the whole student.
Department chairs participated in this professional development opportunity through the Roche Center for Catholic Education at Boston College's Lynch School of Education & Human Development in 2024.
The Roche Center equips educators to lead with vision through leadership programs, professional development, and collaborative networks rooted in Catholic mission and equity. This experience sharpened our chairs ability to lead with faith and best practices, affirming that at Austin Prep, faculty growth is transformational.
The faculty of Austin Prep welcomed Phyllis Fagell, a nationally recognized counselor and author, for professional development focused on social-emotional learning and the integration of faith, leadership, and innovation.
Faculty learned practical strategies to help students build resilience, manage stress, and navigate the social challenges of adolescence. By applying these tools in classrooms and advisories, teachers foster a supportive environment that enhances student focus, learning, and growth.
Recognized by Boston College as a Model for Catholic Education
Boston College selected Austin Prep for a professional multimedia case study through the Transformative Education Lab at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development, highlighting the Summer Sabbatical Program as a model for faculty growth, mission-centered education, and inspired classroom teaching.
In the video, Dr. James Hickey, Head of School, explains that great classrooms are led by great teachers, and that investing in teachers is essential to creating meaningful student experiences.
Michael McLaughlin, Head of Middle School, shares that the Summer Sabbatical Program was launched 10 years ago to support faculty professional growth by giving teachers the opportunity to pursue deep questions over the summer.
Eric Smith, Theology Teacher, reflects on a sabbatical experience in Rome that deepened his understanding of Saint Augustine and allowed him to bring firsthand knowledge into conversations with students.
Boston College Transformative Education Lab. (2026, May 28). Austin Prep: Forming Minds, Hearts, and Community [Video]. YouTube.
Faculty development at Austin Prep is ultimately student development. When teachers are supported, inspired, and renewed, they bring that energy back to the classroom, strengthening the learning experience for every student and advancing our mission to form hearts and minds in the Augustinian tradition.