Discussing the Masters Golf Tournament and learning to putt are not usually part of the Briarcliff Middle School curriculum. In this very atypical school year, however, middle school recently learned all about golf.

Svetlana Ryzhik has been a Teaching Assistant in math and science at Briarcliff Middle School for 21 years and students know her well. But they may not know that she holds a master’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering.

Briarcliff alum and Middle School Social Studies Teaching Assistant Joseph Canonaco remembers his seventh grade social studies classes in vivid detail. The reason, Mr. Canonaco will tell you, is that he had the right teacher: Christopher Quinn. Now, Mr. Canonaco is back to teach alongside, and learn from, his mentor.

The upcoming elections are on everybody’s mind and Social Studies teacher, Dr. Stephanie Muson, is harnessing this energy to get her students excited about their Election Day video project.

If you have ever had to use an iPad or a similar device you know how tough it is to try to write on it using your fingers. Todd and Briarcliff Middle School students no longer have to struggle; this week students in fifth and sixth grades received Apple Pencils and learned how to use them with their iPads.

Using poster boards, colored pencils and even technology – eighth graders at Briarcliff Middle School have been creating beautiful and thought-provoking projects about immigration, as part of an interdisciplinary unit.