More Than Grades: The Power of Brewster’s Team System
By Suzanne Morrissey
When families first hear about Brewster’s “academic team system,” they sometimes assume it’s just another way of saying “grade level.” But a Brewster academic team is far more than that. It’s a living, breathing community within the school—where students are known deeply, supported holistically, and encouraged to grow into confident, capable young adults.
“From a student’s perspective, teachers get to know them beyond just the shared academic class,” explains Dean of Faculty Katie Gardner, who also serves as the Dean of Academic Support Programs and Coach for Girls’ JV Basketball. “Our team approach focuses on the whole student—classes, athletics, co-curriculars, and residence life. Students get to build a bond with a smaller community within the school, which builds a level of comfort and confidence.”
This team system traces its roots back to the advent of The Brewster Model in the late 1990s. “I believe the first year may have been 1998,” recalls Academic Dean Matt Butcher. “Teams are really teams, with the same 50 students working with the same six to eight teachers in as many classes as possible. They meet frequently, plan and participate in team events, and work together to ensure that all students are successful.”
That structure means students are seen, known, and guided from multiple vantage points. Teachers collaborate on everything from learning profiles to social dynamics, ensuring that a student’s growth is understood in full. Mr. Butcher, who is also the Director of Summer Programs and Head Coach of Girls’ Varsity Soccer, describes the Team Leader role as one of the most important—and demanding—positions on campus. “Team Leaders are responsible for keeping their teams aligned with the school and with each other, for helping to ensure advisors deliver our advisory program, and for making sure students are taking advantage of their opportunities and making progress,” he explains. They also help facilitate structure and support when needed, always with the goal of keeping students on track academically and personally. “They’re organized, they set high expectations, but they’re also flexible and know when and how to have fun.”
This balance of rigor and joy is evident in the team leaders across campus. This fall, two first-time leaders emerged. Chris Brown became a Team Leader for the Class of 2026 in addition to his role as a soccer coach and Dean of Equity and Belonging. And English teacher Maeve Connelly helms a 10th grade team. Mr. Brown sees the system as a net that keeps every student in sight. “The team approach works because students can’t slip through the cracks with all the different touch points,” he says. He recalls one student who arrived at Brewster with limited resources, from winter clothes to academic supplies. “Through the team approach, this student was identified as someone needing extra support in all areas of life here. He didn’t fall off the radar, and today he’s playing soccer at a high level in college.” For Mr. Brown, the best part of the job is the camaraderie: “We all get along on a professional level but also bring fun to the table. It’s clear everyone enjoys what we do.”
Ms. Connelly shares that the team leader role quickly showed her how much connection happens outside the classroom. “As a team leader, my role goes beyond the students I teach in my own classes—I’m responsible for supporting every student on the team and working closely with my team faculty,” she says. “Getting to know students outside of the classroom has been my favorite part.” She also credits fellow leaders like Janis Cornwell, Team Leader for 10th Graders and a member of the Instructional Support faculty, and her predecessor, Alicia Wingard, for helping her make a smooth transition. Ms. Cornwell, who has been leading since 2017, describes her responsibilities as “a million little pieces of magic”—from orientation planning and overseeing faculty, to guiding 40 to 50 students and keeping them connected to advisors. What she loves most is the growth: “Seeing students from their first day as sophomores to Moving Up Day in May—it’s awesome. And when they come back and share that they miss ‘Team Cornwell’ and feel gratitude for the journey, that’s incredibly rewarding.”
Longevity is a hallmark of Brewster’s team system. Byron Martin, Team Leader for the Class of 2026, Instructional Support faculty, and Varsity Golf Coach, has been at it for 30 years, making him one of the longest-serving leaders in school history. He describes teams as a “networking support system for students” where “many eyes and views on a student” ensure that no one is overlooked. The 11th grade teams benefit from similar long-term leadership, with history teacher TJ Palmer and Instructional Support faculty member Barb Thomas both guiding juniors year after year. Their experience and consistency help anchor students in what can be one of the most demanding years academically and socially.
Collectively, these leaders embody the qualities Mr. Butcher and Ms. Gardner say are essential: organization, consistency, and above all, care. “Team Leaders learn about their students, they care about them, and they figure out how to best challenge, support, and empower each of them,” Mr. Butcher says.
“Not all team leaders have to have the same approach,” Ms. Gardner adds. “But they do need to believe in Brewster and believe in kids.”
