Every fall at Trinity-Pawling, the School presents one faculty member with the Arditti Fellowship Award — an endowed fellowship that celebrates “teaching excellence.” The Award was established in 2000 by Edward Arditti ’51 and his son Ted ’94 as a way to honor Trinity-Pawling teachers for their distinguished work and dedication. The criteria for consideration include outstanding knowledge of one’s field, commitment to our students, fellow faculty, and the educational program at Trinity-Pawling, and inclusion of new techniques and information in one’s teaching. Members of the faculty nominate the individual who best exemplifies these qualities.
During a recent presentation to Trinity-Pawling students, parents, faculty, and staff, Headmaster Taylor shared several excerpts from faculty nominations and proudly presented the 2019 Arditti Fellowship award to Chris Gillman ’05!
“First and foremost, he is an excellent teacher and advisor,” shared Taylor. “Chris has not only mastered the three English courses of the LEAD program — he has mastered the unwritten curriculum of how to support and persuade students to take risks.”
Taylor continued: “His passionate advocacy is unmistakable. In addition to his passion for teaching, Chris’ impact on the School has no boundaries. He is an alum, a form advisor, a dorm parent, and a coach. Unselfishly, he never says no when approached with a task. He bleeds blue and gold. Out of all his remarkable qualities, the trait that I find most admirable is Chris’s appetite for his own personal growth. Trinity-Pawling is a better place because of Chris Gillman.”
“There are almost no words to express how I felt when I heard my name,” Gillman shared. “It’s an incredible honor.” It is especially meaningful, he said, to join the list of previous winners — many of whom he had as teachers during his time as a student. “To be put in the same category as some of the amazing recipients before me…those who have had such an impact on me, personally and professionally…it’s so very humbling.”
Gillman began working at Trinity-Pawling in the summer of 2011 as a member of the Alumni Office. Over the course of the next few years, he was drawn to teaching and in 2015, he joined the Center for Learning Achievement as a teacher in the LEAD Program. Gillman also coaches varsity hockey and lacrosse, serves as Dean of the Senior Class, and is a dorm parent in Starr Hall. To top it all off, he is a new father. Gillman and his wife, Ariana, welcomed Brady Clifford into the world this past spring.
“Working, living, and now raising a family on this campus is truly special,” Gillman shared. “Over my years of teaching here, I’ve had the unique opportunity to see each of my students on a different level. I get to be with them through the good and tough times. I get to watch them grow and mature and help them find their place in the world — just as my teachers did for me.”
The Trinity-Pawling community extends a heartfelt congratulations to you, Chris, for winning the 2019 Arditti Fellowship. Thank you for your ongoing dedication to the School. As Headmaster Taylor said: Trinity-Pawling is a better place because of you.
by Emma Christiantelli