Special Olympics Chair Addresses Andover Teachers On Opening Day

ANDOVER, MA —From Andover Public Schools: Andover Public Schools faculty and staff celebrated Opening Day of the 2018-2019 school year with a visit from Timothy Shriver, the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Special Olympics International. Dr. Shriver is also the Co-Chair of the National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development and co-founded the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL).

“What’s your inspiration for this school year?” Shriver rallied faculty. “I believe this is the age of the educator, a time when educators have the potential to change the future of a nation.”

“It was an honor to host Dr. Shriver and have him kick off the Andover school year with such a motivational and moving presentation,” said Shannon Scully, chairwoman of the Andover School Committee.

“Tim is an inspiring individual, deeply committed to inclusion and equity and a strong advocate for social- emotional learning,” notes Dr. Sheldon Berman Ed.D, superintendent of Andover Public Schools. “I have known Tim for many years and he is not only a remarkable leader but a wonderful human being.”

Shriver’s remarks help APS faculty and staff expand their understanding and deepen their work in social-
emotional learning (SEL), and extend the work launched last year in universal design for learning. During the 2017-2018 school year, the APS Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) team undertook several major initiatives, including Open Circle and Responsive Classroom in elementary schools, at the middle school with Where Everyone Belongs and CREW, and at the high school with H-block scheduling. Teachers at all five elementary schools underwent training and began implementing the Responsive Classroom program. Responsive Classroom is an evidence-based approach that emphasizes the modeling of appropriate behaviors and sends students a strong message that all students belong and are important contributing members of their class and school community. The SEL team issued a recommendation that the district expand the use of the Responsive Classroom program at the elementary level this year and introduce the program into the middle schools. Finally, the SEL team created a Cultural Climate Committee to combat racism and discrimination while fostering identity-safe schools.

In his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Special Olympics International, Shriver serves with over 5.6
million Special Olympics athletes in 172 countries, all working to promote health, education, and a more
unified world through the joy of sports. Before joining Special Olympics in 1996, Shriver was and remains
a leading educator focusing on the social and emotional factors in learning. He co-founded and currently
chairs the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), the leading school reform
organization in the field of social and emotional learning. He is Co-Chair of the National Commission on
Social, Emotional, and Academic Development, President of the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation,
member of the Board of Directors for the WPP Group, LLC, a member of the Council on Foreign
Relations, and is a co-founder of Lovin’ Scoopful Ice Cream Company.

Shriver earned his undergraduate degree from Yale University, a Master's degree from Catholic University, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Connecticut. He has produced 4 films, is the author of the New York Times Best Selling book Fully Alive – Discovering What Matters Most, written numerous published articles, and has been rewarded with degrees and honors which he happily accepted on behalf of others.

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