Clare McGowan Honored With 2024-25 Catherine Silver McNamara Award

Old Trail School Literacy and Math Specialist Clare McGowan has been named the 2024-25 recipient of the Catherine Silver McNamara Award, the school’s highest faculty honor. The announcement was made this afternoon by Head of School Sarah Johnston during a special ceremony held at the Merryweather Outdoor Classroom. Clare was recognized in the presence of her colleagues and family during an intimate gathering.

Clare is celebrating her 25th year at Old Trail School. During that span, she has had a profound influence on countless students, serving as a Grade 3 teacher for many years before transitioning to her current role supporting literacy and math instruction across multiple grade levels. In addition, she serves as Old Trail’s Social Studies Department Chair and is the lead architect of the Project 345 Social Entrepreneur program, a hallmark initiative that empowers students to think creatively and globally, act compassionately, and drive positive change.

"As we honor Clare today, it’s important to reflect on her profound and lasting impact on the Old Trail community," Mrs. Johnston said. "A longtime member of the third-grade team, Clare has continually reinvented herself with dedication, intellectual curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to growth—and she’s been full steam ahead ever since. Her work with students across multiple grade levels has truly shaped the academic journeys of so many learners. Whether through her leadership in Project 345 or her passion for Social Studies, Clare brings energy, excitement and purpose to everything she touches."

The McNamara Award is given annually to an Old Trail faculty member in recognition of outstanding service to student achievement. It is a coveted honor as nominations are submitted by OTS community members, including parents and peers, and the recipient is determined by an Awards Committee consisting of members of the school's leadership, a faculty member with more than 20 years of experience at Old Trail, and the previous year's recipient. 

“Clare is a natural leader whose kindness and thoughtfulness shine through in all she does,” wrote one of her colleagues. “She consistently puts others first and approaches each day—and every challenge—with unwavering positivity. Clare is deeply committed to her students, always prioritizing their needs and striving to do what’s best for them. Her knowledge, compassion and joyful presence make her not only an exceptional colleague, but also an inspiration to everyone around her.”

Wrote another: "Clare is an educational leader at Old Trail School. Despite being an experienced teacher, she always keeps learning and is never satisfied with the status quo. As a teacher, colleague and community member, it’s hard to find anyone who gives more of herself than Clare."

One parent wrote: "I am blown away by the kindness Clare has demonstrated toward my son during his first year at Old Trail, which has made him feel cared for in a way that makes him try things. He never would have had this confidence a year ago. Anytime I see Clare in the hallways, I hear her speaking to her students and their families like they are old friends, which further demonstrates her commitment to teaching the whole child and making a deep connection to everyone involved in the student's educational journey."

Please join us in congratulating Clare McGowan on this well-deserved recognition of her dedication and excellence in teaching!

About the Award
The Catherine Silver McNamara Faculty Award was established by the family of Catherine Silver McNamara '70, following her untimely death in 1983. Through this annual award, Catherine's late father and Old Trail School Trustee Emeritus R. Bruce Silver; her late mother and former Old Trail School librarian Peggy Silver; her sisters, Margie Silver Allen '68 and Patricia Silver '72; her husband, Robert McNamara, and brother-in-law Peter Allen honor Catherine by recognizing a member of the Old Trail faculty or administration for outstanding service to student achievement, which "has played such a meaningful part in our lives, and which continues to make Old Trail a truly exceptional school."

To be eligible, faculty members or administrators must have been employed for at least three years at the time of nomination and have accepted a commitment from Old Trail School to be employed the following year.