Ms. Tabenken is a University of Pennsylvania Teaching Fellow at Kent School. She is a modern world history teacher, dorm parent, tennis assistant coach, and dance choreographer. Ms. Tabenken embodies the dynamic spirit of boarding school life while balancing her teaching responsibilities with her graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
Ms. Tabenken grew up in Maine and attended public schools, where she formed bonds with her peers and teachers. Her parents both worked in the military, which shaped her sense of responsibility as a teacher. She continued her academic journey at Barnard College, where she studied political science, history, and Jewish studies. She particularly appreciates viewing “political events with a historical perspective.”
Ms. Tabenken had a memorable experience teaching English in Israel. She felt the joy of teaching, and when her students finally understood the lessons, she shared in their joy and understood the meaning of education. Ms. Tabenken interned at the Consulate General of Israel in New York. However, she found that it was not her passion. She applied to Penn’s Education Master and joined the Teaching Fellowship program at the University of Pennsylvania and came to Kent School to continue her career in education.
While pursuing her Master of Education at Penn, Ms. Tabenken gained actual teaching experience by teaching history classes at Kent. She reflected, “Only by teaching in the classroom do I understand how to be a better educator.” By teaching only two sections of Modern World History instead of a full load, she balanced her roles as educator and learner. Ms. Tabenken’s history classes are never conventional. There are all kinds of group activities: debates, group discussions, and video production. There is never any boring lecturing in her class. They’re always interactive and fun, and students are able to retain the knowledge. This teaching method has sparked students’ enthusiasm for the class, making everyone like the course more. Additionally, as a student herself, Ms. Tabenken is more able to understand students’ weaknesses and areas of incompetence, which allows her to better help students to improve.
Other than teaching classes, Ms. Tabenken is an active member of the Kent community. She is the dorm parent of Middle Dorm South. On the tennis courts, she supports Coach Thomsen for the girls’ tennis thirds team. During the winter term, she supervised the dance program because it is her lifelong hobby and passion. She is also choreographing with Ms. Morris for the upcoming Kent School Dance Show.
Ms. Tabenken will continue to be in the Kent School History Department next year, where she will teach three U.S. history sections. Ms. Tabenken will likely continue her career as a teacher, inspiring and educating students to become better people.
