At Gulliver Prep, exceptional teaching is the foundation of student success. Through the Harvard–Gulliver Prep Alliance, our teachers access world-class professional learning that elevates their practice and the student experience in every classroom.
This first-in-the-nation partnership with the Harvard Graduate School of Education reflects one of Gulliver’s two core pillars: Next Level Teaching and Learning. By investing deeply in faculty development, Gulliver cultivates a culture where teachers explore innovative strategies, refine their craft, and grow as leaders in education.
This transformative alliance—the first of its kind between Harvard and a pre-K through 12 independent school—reaffirms Gulliver’s position as South Florida’s premier independent educational institution and sets a new national benchmark for faculty excellence, innovative pedagogy, and student success.
Opportunities like the Harvard–Gulliver Prep Alliance strengthen teaching and learning while supporting educators as lifelong learners and leaders. “At Gulliver, we are unwavering in our commitment to providing an extraordinary education that prepares students for success in an evolving world,” said Gulliver President, Simon Hess. “Our collaboration with Harvard is a powerful affirmation of our dedication to pedagogical innovation, faculty development, and student outcomes of the highest caliber.”
Through the Harvard–Gulliver Prep Alliance, faculty have access to specialized courses that strengthen instructional leadership, foster student engagement, and introduce the latest advances in pedagogy. Offerings include an Instructional Leadership Series, Teaching Students to Ask Their Own Questions, and both Universal Design for Learning: Explore and Universal Design for Learning: Apply.
Faculty who have participated in the Harvard–Gulliver Prep Alliance describe the experience as both practical and transformative. Marlene Beltre, Primary School Faculty, explained, “I took the course Articulating the Intangibles of Teaching: Aligning Your Purpose and Practice for Instructional Leadership. It helped me connect my core purpose—my ‘why’ as an educator—with my daily classroom practices, making my instruction more intentional and impactful. The most memorable part was engaging in meaningful reflection with colleagues and gaining insight from their perspectives.”
Similarly, Catherine Piccini, Middle School Faculty, reflected on how the courses shaped her teaching. “In Teaching Students to Ask Their Own Questions, I practiced standing back in order to encourage students to sort their way through problem solving. With this technique, we can increase engagement, and students become more comfortable not knowing all of the answers right away. They learn to think strategically, build analytical skills, and become decision makers.”
Ms. Piccini took a second course called Universal Design for Learning. “We are reminded that learners are diverse, and good design makes the learning accessible to all,” she reflected. “Presenting materials in different formats, taking into consideration the varied frames of reference that our students have, makes both teaching and learning easier.”
From the Upper School, George Hart, Social Sciences Faculty, shared how the experience deepened his practice. “Universal Design for Learning taught me how to design a more student-centered curriculum that affords students agency in creating more meaningful learning experiences. What was most memorable was partnering with some of the top teachers in the country and sharing best practices every week. This allowed me to learn how to become a better educator not only from experts at Harvard but also from incredible teachers from across the nation.”
A Destination for Educators
This partnership reinforces Gulliver’s standing as a destination workplace for top educators, where professional growth is both encouraged and embedded in our culture. As we approach our 100th anniversary, our investment in teacher growth ensures that Gulliver remains a leader in independent school education—preparing students to thrive through inspired teaching, personalized achievement, and a culture of excellence.
