Director of Learning Services Amy Mohn joined Fay in 2004, but her connection to the school began long before that through her brother, Seth Brennan '85. Over the years, her bond with Fay has only deepened. What started as part-time roles in weekend planning and academic support evolved into a full-time position as an Upper School learning specialist and, more recently, working with Lower School students. Last spring, she was appointed Director of Learning Services, a role that draws on her academic training with learning disabilities and special education, as well as her decades of hands-on experience helping students discover the learning strategies and educational support that work best for them. Her work with Fay students is particularly meaningful to her, having watched her own three children, Ty ’16, Allie ’17, and Blu ’21, grow through their own Fay journeys. We sat down with Amy to talk about some of her favorite Fay moments and the aspects of her work that are the most fulfilling.

 

The first faculty and staff holiday dinner that I attended was in the Dining Room, and the mood was so festive. During the course of the dinner, tables would write sonnets to share, and as the dinner went on, different tables would rewrite Christmas carols, and they would get up and go caroling to the other tables. There was such a sense of intellect, humor, playfulness, community, and old-school fun. I really felt, “I love it here!”

 

We all learn differently, and there are a lot of strengths in different learning styles. My students with dyslexia often have an incredible ability to see in 3D, which might lead them to a career as designers, architects, or engineers. ADHD kids tend to be energetic, creative, and outside-the-box thinkers. Students with learning differences have overcome obstacles and persevered, and that's a great strength in adulthood. I often remind my students that they're going to have a great future because there are a lot of superpowers that come from learning to meet challenges with grit and positivity.

 

It's a privilege to do this work because I stay with the students as they progress through Fay. This year, I have a ninth grader I've worked with since fifth grade.  I have a front row seat to watch them grow and transform, and to see their confidence begin to skyrocket. I get to see the good, the bad, and the ugly along the way, and then I get to see them walk across the stage at graduation or have other moments of success that fill them with pride. It's very emotional.

I love Fay’s Core Values. They're so spot on as an approach to life. We're not a place that’s just about being a straight-A student or the best varsity athlete. Primus is the highest achievement a kid can attain here, and it focuses on effort, service, wellness, learning, and citizenship. I love it because our core values are about being a well-balanced human. There are so many former Fay parents that I run into who say that Fay was the best money they ever spent. What Fay did for their kids was even more important than secondary school or college, because it gave those students the ability to make the most of those subsequent experiences.

It’s a tie because the spring musical is one of my favorite traditions, but I also really love open mic nights. At Open Mics, our middle school students are taking a risk and being completely vulnerable by standing up in front of their peers and singing, dancing, telling stand-up, or sharing any other talents they bring to the table. Some of the performances are so incredible that they move me to tears. And even if they are not incredible, the kids in the audience are so supportive. They don't laugh if somebody misses a note. They cheer for them with 100% sincerity. To me, it’s a microcosm of what makes Fay so special. It’s a place where people are creative, perform, feel safe taking risks, and are sincerely cheered on for it. It's pretty incredible.

 

My kids. I have one in college and two out of college, and they are well-educated and figuring out what they want to do next. I have a beautiful German Shepherd who is a year and a half old but acts like a puppy! I like to spend my free time traveling, cooking, reading, hiking in nature, doing yoga, or riding the Peloton. I stay really busy here, and then in the summer I'm often at the Cape. I love to catch up with friends, and I'm always grateful to be happy and healthy and have connections that bring me joy.