Providence Country Day Teacher Honored by the American Association of Physics Teachers

Forty-four years after her first substitute teaching assignment at the Providence Country Day School, Carol-ann Tripp has been recognized as one of the preeminent teachers in her field. She was recently named a fellow in the first cohort of the American Association of Physics Teachers Fellowship Program.

Ms. Tripp pioneered the national trend to teach physics first in the high school curriculum sequence, and has been a nationally recognized leader in a discipline that used to be reserved for men. In 1989 Ms. Tripp received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching Science; she received a Distinguished Service Citation by the American Association of Physics Teachers in 1994 and was honored by the New England chapter of the same organization in 1996, with the Janet Gurnsey Award for Excellence in High School and College Teaching. Inspiring her students in the classroom is routine for Ms. Tripp, and countless PCD alumni credit her for their commitment to science.

The AAPT describes Ms. Tripp's honor as “…signifying recognition by one’s professional peers. (Fellowship)…is awarded to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to AAPT’s mission to enhance the understanding and appreciation of physics through teaching.” The distinction is an appropriate capstone for Ms. Tripp’s life-long commitment to sharing her infectious enthusiasm.

The Providence Country Day School, established in 1923, is a college preparatory school serving students in grades 6-12. The diverse student population draws from more than 45 communities throughout Southeastern New England. The school’s educational program balances rigorous academics, visual and performing arts, and competitive athletics. The mission and values are upheld by a faculty distinguished by academic excellence and deep personal commitment.