FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: JAY KELLOGG

JayKelloggTrinityPawling

Jay Kellogg P’10, P’15, P’23 has been a devoted member of the Trinity-Pawling community for over 2 decades. As a teacher, advisor, parent, and head athletic trainer, Kellogg does it all. He gives each role the same attention and enthusiasm, enriching the School community as a result.

In late October, Kellogg’s hard work and dedication was recognized through the Arditti Fellowship Award. Each year, this endowed fellowship honors a member of the Trinity-Pawling faculty for “teaching excellence.” Criteria for consideration include outstanding knowledge of one’s academic field, commitment to our students and the educational program at Trinity-Pawling, and the inclusion of new teaching methods in the classroom. Members of the faculty nominate the individual who best exemplifies these qualities.

“A nomination that comes from the people you work with is something special,” Kellogg began. “In my eyes, being recognized by my peers is the greatest honor.”

As a recipient of the Arditti Fellowship, Kellogg was honored for his dedication in the classroom—and his most effective teaching method will not come as a surprise to those familiar with the Trinity-Pawling curriculum. Collaboration and active learning have been Kellogg’s go-to techniques since he first entered the teaching field. “I’ve been incorporating group work and active, out-of-your-seat learning for a long time,” Kellogg shared. “I believe in it and it’s so important when teaching boys. I’m very glad it has become such an essential part of the curriculum here at T-P.”

This year, Kellogg teaches Middle School science, 9th grade conceptual physics, 12th grade physics, and Sports Ethics. Through these classes, as well as his work as athletic trainer, Kellogg keeps the learning engaging, experiential, and completely hands-on. In Sports Ethics specifically, he is able to connect his lessons with his athletic training on the fields and courts. He also ties in real world issues and discusses how those issues may affect the boys in their not-so-distant futures. “It’s so valuable to have ongoing conversations with the students. One of the best lessons I try to teach is the value of listening,” Kellogg explained. “Athletic trainers are just as much counselors as we are trainers. We have to listen to the boys. I try to show them that adults can and do listen—and most importantly, we care.”

Though he juggles many roles at Trinity-Pawling, Kellogg reiterates one common message, and he hopes the boys hear it loud and clear before their time at the School comes to an end. “Above anything else, be inquisitive,” Kellogg advises. “Ask ‘why’ and don’t accept something just because it may be considered traditional theory.” Kellogg believes that this advice will lead to deeper learning experiences for both the boys and their educators, as they challenge one another to be curious and dive in. “I always say, we’ll learn a lot more from what’s between the lines than what’s between the book covers.”

Congratulations again, Mr. Kellogg, on winning the much-deserved Arditti Fellowship award!