As Ms. Thurlby completes her two-year journey at Kent School through the University of Pennsylvania Teaching Fellowship, she reflects on a time marked by transformation, mentorship, and professional discovery. A history teacher, dorm parent, tennis and diving coach, Thurlby has been immersed in the rhythms of boarding school life while pursuing her M.S.Ed. from UPenn, balancing graduate coursework with hands-on teaching and community engagement.
“The fellowship program is really designed for young teachers just starting out,” she said. “It’s not for people with ten years of experience. It’s for people like me, who just graduated and want real classroom time.”
Each fellow in the program is paired with a faculty mentor and teaches a slightly reduced load while completing graduate-level courses. “My first year, I had two classes; this year, three,” she explained. “You still do dorm duty, coaching, and everything else, just with the added support and a bit more flexibility.”
Thurlby, who studied history in college but lacked a teaching certificate, discovered the UPenn program almost by accident. “I literally just Googled it,” she said. “I knew I wanted classroom experience, and the idea of getting a master’s while actually teaching was really appealing. And Kent pays 80% of the tuition. It’s an incredibly affordable way to start teaching.”
The blend of classroom practice and academic study became a foundation for reflective growth. “The UPenn courses make you question every decision you make as a teacher,” she said. “Why are you assessing this way? Why this assignment over that one? Why do we structure discussions the way we do?”
One of the most valuable components of the program, she said, was learning to center student voice. “I didn’t have a discussion-based classroom in high school. But now, I believe in making student opinions and analysis the heart of the class. Even just today, a student brought up a point I’d never thought of, and I loved that.”
Weekly meetings with her Kent faculty mentor and collaboration with fellows at peer schools helped her shape her approach. “A lot of the warm-ups and group activities I use came from things we shared through the program,” she said.
Thurlby acknowledges the transition into boarding school life wasn’t easy. “I didn’t go to a boarding school, and where I’m from, Kansas, boarding schools aren’t very common,” she said. “But I’ve loved it. I wish I could just pick Kent up and bring it with me.”
Now, she heads back to Kansas City to teach middle school English at an independent day school—a new subject and age group, but one she feels ready for. “I’ve always loved reading and writing. It’s a new challenge, but it feels right.”
Thurlby is also preparing for her wedding in June. “It’s a bittersweet goodbye, but I’m excited for what’s next.”
As she departs Kent and graduates from the UPenn program, Ms. Thurlby leaves behind not just lesson plans, but a deep example of what it means to begin a teaching career with purpose, humility, and heart.
