Thinking Beyond Content

Faculty Spotlight – History and English teacher, Turner Britz challenges students to think deeply and take risks.

In his first year at Eagle Hill School, Mr. Turner Britz has become a strong presence in the English and History Departments. With a background in anthropology and education studies, he brings an analytical lens to the classroom and a clear interest in how students think, interpret ideas, and engage with content. He was drawn to Eagle Hill in part for its small class size, the opportunity to build genuine relationships with students, and the flexibility to tailor his teaching to students’ evolving interests and needs.

In the classroom, Mr. Britz approaches both writing and history as opportunities for exploration and discussion by giving students space to shape the direction of their learning. In history courses, he enjoys when students begin making their own connections, drawing parallels between past and present events or bringing in ideas from outside the classroom. Some of the most meaningful moments come when a class discussion takes on its own energy and students eagerly contribute and build on one another’s thinking.

He emphasizes building students’ capacity through analysis, helping them think critically about how they understand and interpret the world. Rather than focusing on a single “correct” answer, he encourages students to explore ideas from their own perspectives. To support this, he adapts assignments and strategies to each student, helping some get ideas down freely and providing a more structured approach for others.

“Sometimes you have to let students fail so they can really learn. I try to resist over-accommodating because it can limit what they can achieve, and I want to raise the bar and challenge them to see what they’re capable of.”

As Mr. Britz puts it, “Sometimes you have to let students fail so they can really learn. I try to resist over-accommodating because it can limit what they can achieve, and I want to raise the bar and challenge them to see what they’re capable of.”

Outside the classroom, Mr. Britz coaches lacrosse for the Eagle Hill Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse team. He enjoys the chance to connect with students in a different setting and to engage with them in an athletic setting. Coaching, he says, is simply fun and offers another meaningful way to build relationships.

Looking ahead, Mr. Britz is focused on continuing to grow as a teacher and becoming more confident in his practice. He is especially excited to develop a future course in ethnography, where students will explore social groups by conducting their own fieldwork and engaging directly with the world around them.