Faculty Spotlight: Kristen Gormley

Kristen (Furber) Gormley, a 1986 graduate of Bellarmine, has served our community in a multitude of ways since 2018. Most recently, Kristen was promoted to Director of the Academic Center of Excellence. A graduate of the University of Washington, and Seattle University with a Masters in Teaching, Kristen spent 25 years in the public school setting before joining Bellarmine as a learning strategist, faculty member and instructional leader. 

After Dr. Goodsell stepped into the role of President, the ACE moved forward with a shared leadership model.  Our ACE faculty members led different strategic areas including Teaching and Learning, Accessibility and Assessment, and Research and Scholarship. After reflecting on our transition year, the team felt it was important to have a point person be at the helm, so our community knew who to initially contact with questions, concerns and guidance. In addition, since taking on the role of Director, I have become a more integral part of the administrative leadership team. Other responsibilities that have been added to my role are managing the ACE’s budget, nurturing partnerships with the South Sound Diverse Learners Network and collaborating with other Jesuit schools in our region. Finally, as Bellarmine continues to evolve, I am working in conjunction with the counseling department and VP of Curriculum and Instruction in the development and expansion of the College and Career Readiness Center.    

When the ACE was implemented, it created an environment where students felt supported, welcomed, and safe. It has become a place where all students can access resources to accelerate their learning and build agency. As a dynamic learning center, designed to facilitate and enhance student engagement, the ACE offers a variety of services including academic/executive functioning coaching, learning technology, accommodations planning, research and tutoring. Since implementing this multifaceted space, modeled after college programs, this space serves as an extension of the classroom and offers multiple pathways of scholarship for our students and families. Students who access the ACE regularly are ready to enter college or begin a career with the professional skills of collaborating with others, advocating for themselves, identifying when or where to ask for support, and helping manage workloads and balance in life.

Yes, absolutely.  Not only is this a place for academic acceleration but it’s also a place where students feel loved, supported, challenged and celebrated. Many students have voiced that the ACE is a home away from home and this space is filled daily with engaged students, from 7:30am to 4pm.

For me, the best part about working in the ACE is building relationships with students and seeing them develop their sense of self, grit, confidence, resiliency, advocacy, faith, and trust. My favorite part is seeing the “ah-ha!” moments occur when kids overcome challenges and grow.

After teaching in a public setting for 20+ years, I have always wanted an opportunity to teach in a private setting, but I felt kids in a private setting didn’t need the resources needed in a public setting. After my son went through two years at Bellarmine, I realized that there was a need for academic support everywhere. I wanted to be a part of the vision and creation of the new setting. Walking with students as they development the Grad at Grad skills of being loving, open to growth, intellectually competent,  religious and committed to justice is in my opinion far more important than learning any subject, and this is why I have chosen to teach, lead and be fully participate with our Jesuit community on the hill, Bellarmine Preparatory School. 

Starting academically, I remember taking Mr. McCamey’s physics class with a dear friend of mine who was very intelligent, but she struggled with dyslexia. In that class, I struggled with the content, especially the math. We came up with a plan where I would read her the textbook, and she would walk me through the exercises.  We both used the gifts that God gave us to reach the end goal together.

I also remember loving being involved.  From playing in the Jazz Band at basketball games, being part of the pit orchestra, and helping form the Encounter program, I developed lifelong friendships, some of who are also teaching here today.

One more thing that I remember is the fun I had standing up at Farrell’s Ice Cream in the Tacoma Mall when my “big sis,” Jeanne Hanigan B'84, made me sing the Lion Fight Song in public by myself.  What a hoot!

I want to send out a huge thank you to the parents and sponsors for trusting us in the ACE to love our students and your children as we walk beside them in their journey through Bellarmine.