Speers-Stoddard

APPRENTICE TEACHERS FUND

The Speers-Stoddard Apprentice Teacher Fund supports the growth of the Apprentice Teacher Program at New Canaan Country School. The fund was established in 2022 by the Speers and Stoddard families in honor of longtime NCCS teachers Sue Speers (Upper School Humanities 1966-1992) and Pat Stoddard (Upper School Humanities 1968-1978). Both Sue and Pat were trailblazing teachers, ahead of their time in many ways, and embodiments of the Country School mission and commitment to great teaching. They pushed students to tackle hard topics and advocated for the school to take risks with new curriculum and approaches. Education and teaching are important to both families and this fund will provide enhanced training for the next generation of teachers at NCCS and beyond. Additionally, the fund hopes to make connections with the Horizons program as a way to train and support more emerging teachers of color here at Country School.
Support the Fund Read More About the Fund

For more information

Holly Donaldson Casella '04
Director of Major Gifts & Alumni Affairs
(203) 801-5687
hcasella@countryschool.net
Sue Speers taught at NCCS for 26 years from 1966-1992. She joined Country School as a Latin teacher in 1966, before becoming an English teacher, joining forces with Pat to create a dynamic and revolutionary anthropology course that explored "What it means to be human". From the beginning, Sue connected her students to the world around them - through a diverse and eclectic curriculum, new authors, current events and authentic engagement with that essential question of what it means to be human. Sue was also head of the Language Department for many years. Sue was very involved in extracurricular activities like the Outdoor Action Trip, and she designed and implemented an 8th-grade service-learning project at a daycare center in South Norwalk, a project that eventually earned national recognition as one of President George Bush’s “Points of Light.” Sue traveled extensively and brought a global mindset to her classroom, encouraging students to see themselves as “members of the world.” Sue also served as a Trustee from 1980-81 and 1991-92. 

Her four children, Will ’72, Tom ’73, Sam ’75 and Ebit ’77*, all attended NCCS. Her late husband Guthrie founded the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan and was a member of the NCCS Board of Trustees. Together they were involved in many New Canaan organizations.

* deceased
Pat Stoddard worked at NCCS for 10 years from 1968-1978. She started as an English teacher in 5th grade and then quickly transitioned into teaching Upper School History. Pat joined forces with Sue to create a dynamic and revolutionary anthropology course that explored "What it means to be human". After several years, she became Chair of the History Department and worked with teachers on evaluating and improving the history curriculum. In the early ’70s, after Ray Burnes retired from his administrative position in the Upper School, George Stevens appointed Pat to the newly created position of Academic Dean, where she served as Assistant to the Head of School for Academic Concerns. Beyond these roles, Pat used her talents and time to develop and sustain many Country School traditions and strengthened the fabric of our community in countless ways, including serving as a Trustee from 1974-75. Following her retirement, Pat stayed very connected to Country School and was a frequent volunteer and attendee at school events.

Her three children, Dan ’71, Jane ’72 and Alex ’75, all attended NCCS, as did two of her grandchildren, Allison Williams '03 and Douglas Williams '06. Another granddaughter, Isadora Machado is currently a member of the Faculty and Staff.  Her late husband, “Hud”, was also a member of the NCCS Board of Trustees and together they were involved in a wide range of organizations in New Canaan. Pat passed away on Sept. 10, 2022 at the age of 91.

The Apprentice Teacher Training Program

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The Apprentice Teaching Training Program is uniquely designed to give beginning teachers the experience and training they need to go out and lead classrooms of their own. For 70 years, Country School is a leader in teacher training with nearly 1,000 apprentices coming through the program.
Each apprentice works directly alongside a lead teacher, and together, they provide instruction to students in language arts, mathematics, and social studies. For those interested in sports, apprentices have opportunities to coach in the school’s interscholastic athletic program. On Wednesday afternoons, apprentices attend faculty meetings and participate in seminars that address a variety of topics in teaching and education.
Learn More About the Program

New Canaan Country School

635 Frogtown Road, New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: (203) 972-0771
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.