Joan Gillman: A Visionary Educator Shaping Tomorrow’s Innovators

Joan Gillman stands as a beacon of dedication in the field of education, with over 43 years of experience transforming young minds through science. Her journey reflects a profound commitment to inclusivity, hands-on learning, and lifelong curiosity, principles that have guided her from early volunteering to leadership roles at The Browning School. As a certified educator and advocate for environmental stewardship, Gillman exemplifies how passion for science can inspire the next generation of leaders.

Roots of Passion in Science and Teaching

Gillman’s interest in education ignited during high school through a community service program. She volunteered in the lower school, teaching elementary children to play the recorder, tutoring small groups in math, and organizing inclusive playground games. The head of the school praised her ability to engage every child, regardless of athletic skill, fostering a sense of belonging that became central to her teaching style. Beyond school, she instructed swimming at the local Jewish Community Center, including special needs children, and served as a substitute ballet teacher at a dance studio, where she delighted in building confidence through joyful movement.

From a young age, science captivated Gillman. She conducted experiments in her bathroom, mixing powders and liquids in hopes of inventing new products. Fascinated by weather, she measured snowfall with a yardstick, monitored temperature and barometric pressure, and photographed storms to capture nature’s beauty. Collaborating with her older brother, she built robots from shoe boxes, constructed model cities named Kinderkamack Village using building sets and Lincoln logs, and engineered snow tunnels complete with escape windows for safety. These childhood pursuits honed her creativity and problem-solving skills, laying the foundation for her future career.

Academic Foundations and Early Career Milestones

Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Education, Gillman student-taught at P.S. 47 Junior High School for the Deaf, instructing profoundly deaf students in grades 7 through 9. Her cooperating teacher emphasized hands-on learning to convey complex science concepts, inspiring Gillman to adopt similar methods. During an engineering unit, students designed a mini Great Adventure amusement park with functional rides and gondolas that integrated key scientific principles, showcasing their ingenuity and reinforcing the value of experiential education. This period solidified her belief in interactive approaches to make abstract ideas accessible.

Gillman began her formal teaching career in 1982, starting with basic tools like blackboards and chalk. Over time, she embraced technological advancements, from initial computers to modern SmartBoards in every classroom at The Browning School. These tools allow her to display videos, images, and color-coded notes, aiding students with tracking difficulties. She adapts to platforms like Seesaw for younger learners, Google Classroom for middle school, and Canvas for older students, ensuring age-appropriate digital integration.

Embracing Inclusivity and Interdisciplinary Learning

Inclusiveness defines Gillman’s philosophy; she strives to give every child a chance to excel. Her curriculum weaves science with other subjects, demonstrating real-world connections rather than isolated lessons. At The Browning School, where she joined in 2018 after her previous head retired, she has taught science across grades 2 through 6, adjusting annually to meet diverse needs. This year, she returned to grades 2, 4, and 6 while advising seventh graders, balancing multiple roles with precision.

A highlight of her tenure involves music education, aligning with her skills as a pianist and violinist. The school’s emphasis on music resonated with her values, enhancing her transition. Gillman’s classes encourage creativity, from second graders engineering buildings and bridges to older students producing public service announcements on weather safety. These projects allow students to express scientific understanding uniquely, promoting engagement and retention.

Navigating Challenges with Resilience

The COVID-19 pandemic presented a pivotal challenge, forcing Gillman to deliver online science classes. She prepared families in advance with supply lists for kitchen-based labs, enabling interactive participation during live sessions. Parents commended her for maintaining excitement and involvement despite physical separation, achieved through meticulous planning.

In 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster struck during a lesson with sixth graders who had eagerly awaited the launch featuring a teacher astronaut. Gillman delivered the tragic news sensitively, addressing fears and questions to provide emotional support. This event underscored the teacher’s role in guiding students through real-world crises.

Climate change education poses an ongoing hurdle, as Gillman views teaching as preparation for future leadership. Since 2018, she co-leads The Green Team, an all-school sustainability club that includes even kindergarteners. Activities range from Central Park cleanups and “Green Action of the Week” posters to fundraisers for disaster relief and annual Biodiversity Day events featuring workshops, speakers, and field trips. These initiatives build environmental awareness and practical skills like collaboration.

Qualities of Enduring Leadership

Dedication, discipline, organization, and creativity mark Gillman’s leadership. She invests full effort in tasks, maintaining focus through structured schedules. Her honesty, hard work, and approachability earn trust from colleagues, while her listening skills invite diverse ideas. Gillman models openness by learning from peers to refine student interactions.

In her view, effective leaders prioritize integrity and empathy. She values educators who inspire confidence and adapt to challenges, qualities she has demonstrated consistently. Her career success stems from balancing structure with innovation, ensuring goals align with student growth.

Cultivating Innovation and Community

Gillman fosters collaboration through regular faculty and grade-level meetings at The Browning School, discussing strategies for student support. She contributed to the sixth-grade Capstone project, an interdisciplinary NYC-themed endeavor where students visited sites like Ground Zero and the High Line, then created games, posters, and slideshows to educate younger peers. This tradition demands extensive planning but yields profound learning outcomes.

Biodiversity Day exemplifies school-wide teamwork, with teachers leading workshops and coordinating park activities to promote planetary preservation. The annual Panther Games on Randall’s Island unite students and staff in color-coded teams for division-specific games blending sports and arts. The science department’s alignment with Next Generation Science Standards ensures comprehensive exposure to scientific branches, preparing students for advanced studies.

A notable student impact occurred in a water shortages lesson, inspiring a sixth grader to join The Green Team and partner with water.org for a fundraiser that raised over $1,000. Such stories highlight how Gillman’s teaching sparks activism.

Commitment to Lifelong Learning and Mentorship

Lifelong learning anchors Gillman’s development; she pursues professional courses annually to model curiosity for students. Accepted into three NASA Goddard Space Flight Center workshops, she explored astronomy and viewed the James Webb Telescope assembly. At the American Museum of Natural History, she attended sessions on paleontology, climate change, and animal science, while Cornell Ornithology Lab courses deepened her expertise.

In 2017, she joined the GLOBE Weather Field Test Program in Colorado, testing NGSS-aligned meteorology curriculum for sixth graders. Earning National Geographic Certified Educator status in 2018 involved a capstone video on her oil spill simulation, where students team up to clean vegetable oil from feathers, shells, and sand, grasping cleanup complexities. The 2022 Modern Classroom Project grant equipped her with self-paced classroom strategies.

Gillman shares knowledge by presenting workshops at NSTA, STANYS, SCONYC, and NYSAIS conferences, including planning the 2024 SCONYC event. Active in organizations like NSTA and SEEDS, she serves as STANYS elementary representative for New York City. Her publications include “Straw Rockets are Out of This World” in Science and Children (2013, republished 2016), and contributions to a 2025 Corwin book on climate change teaching.

Aligning with Institutional Values

The Browning School, an all-boys independent institution founded in 1888, enrolls over 400 students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Its mission cultivates intellect and integrity for global contribution, guided by curiosity, honesty, dignity, and purpose. Equity and social impact infuse the curriculum, celebrating boys’ strengths with research-based methods. Faculty maintain high standards to nurture deep learning and relationships, fostering transformative education.

The recent high school building on 64th Street expanded middle school capacity to three sections per grade, welcoming more students. Gillman aligns her work with these goals, ensuring science education evolves with evidence-based practices and professional development.

Advice for Aspiring Leaders

Gillman advises emerging leaders to pursue ongoing professional development amid rapid changes. Embracing new techniques sustains enthusiasm and broadens perspectives through educator interactions. Maintaining humor helps navigate challenging days without losing patience. Seeking help from colleagues provides valuable strategies in this demanding profession.

A Forward-Looking Legacy

At 43 years into her career, Gillman remains energized, committed to student impact. She plans continued workshops and journal contributions to empower informed citizens. Selected as Top Educator of the Year 2025 by the International Association of Top Professionals, she aims to extend her influence globally. Her vision centers on preparing youth for wise decisions in a complex world, blending science with purpose for lasting change.