Center for the Advancement of Girls
What Does Advancing Girls Look Like?
We are Agnes Irwin's Superpower!
The Center for the Advancement of Girls creates opportunities that empower our community of learners to live their lives with intention, to cultivate their unique voice and to build confidence. The Center seeks to address three essential questions:
What is best for girls?
What do girls need to thrive?
What does it mean to empower girls?
We ensure that every girl at Agnes Irwin is seen, valued and celebrated as she navigates the complexities and layers of her identity. By staying abreast of best practices in educating girls, the Center is the catalyst for creating the most responsive environment for every girl to become her best, most empowered self.
Because the future of the world depends on her.
Programs
The Center translates research and information on girls into sustainable, innovative programs that address the unique needs of girls across all three divisions.
Professional Development
The Center is committed to supporting our teachers and staff in their understanding of the unique and evolving needs of girls. All of our teachers are kept abreast of current research, trends and best practices in teaching girls.
Partnerships and Experiential Learning
We forge partnerships with colleges, universities, businesses, and non profits to expand our curricula and extend our educational experiences—allowing our students to apply what they have learned in innovative ways.
Our Work
The Center aims to ensure that all girls Pre-K through 12th grade see themselves represented in our work by providing an array of narratives, experiences, and voices to inspire them. The Center translates information on girls into sustainable, innovative programs and forge generative, mutually beneficial partnerships with organizations, universities, fellow girls’ schools and nonprofits that address the unique needs and influences of girls in developmentally appropriate ways across all three divisions.
Ali Monzo is the Director of Programs and oversees the development of on-campus programming that serves girls PreK-12th grade. It was during her time at Dickinson College as an undergraduate where she realized a passion for girls education. Upon graduation she matriculated to Catholic University in Washington D.C. where she worked as an Assistant Field Hockey coach while earning her masters in secondary education.
Vanessa Babinecz
Director of Strategic Partnerships and Experiential Learning
610-801-1270
Vanessa Babinecz is the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Experiential Learning. After completing her BA at Harvard College and her M.Ed. at USC, Vanessa worked for various nonprofits and corporations. With her background in business (she started MudLab in Oakland, CA), and her experience working in Waldorf education, public schools, and abroad (Somaliland & France), Vanessa seeks to enrich the curriculum by coordinating opportunities for girls outside of the classroom.
Ali and Vanessa work closely to bring together cross divisional teams and help the school function more cohesively to specifically adapt to the needs of girls. By pulling out the key aspects of current research and chunking material for busy teachers, CAG helps educators hone their practices. Encouraging community partnerships and finding organizations who can support and strengthen our mission is at the heart of our work.
