Whether greeting students in the halls, teaching ninth graders about the Holocaust, leading a ChIP Week trip, or chaperoning a debate tournament on a Saturday, History and Social Sciences teacher Anne Franzen is a vital and upbeat part of the Chadwick community, constantly providing guidance and encouragement.
Growing up in New York City, surrounded by the city’s fast pace, Franzen discovered her appreciation for stories early on. She was constantly reading and immersing herself in books, which helped shape the qualities that shine through today: curiosity, passion, and empathy.
Franzen, who joined the Chadwick community last year, began her teaching journey during her senior year of high school, when her English teacher Mrs. Beattie made her fall in love with reading and teaching. Beattie made more of an impact than just assigning materials. She constantly encouraged discussion and reflection. Franzen is determined to have a similar impact on her own students as the kind of teacher who sparks interest and builds confidence.
For Franzen, teaching high schoolers is more than just guiding them to college; it’s a place where teachers help students grow as students.
Franzen offers a piece of advice for all students: “Meet with your teachers and get to know them.” While this might sound a little clichéd, Franzen believes that it is important to “give them the benefit of the doubt.”
In fast-paced school environments like Chadwick’s, the pressure quickly catches up with the students, but Franzen’s perspective shows how important it is to slow down, meet with teachers, and focus on what matters most. Franzen emphasizes how important it is for students to know that teachers aren’t just here for teaching academics in the classroom, but also for teaching life skills outside the classroom and building meaningful connections.
Before Chadwick, Franzen taught for many years at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Florida. Even after her time at Benjamin, Chadwick is truly unique and special to Franzen.
“Chadwick fosters a strong sense of community, something different from my old school in Florida, where it was very athletics-driven,” she says. Franzen appreciates the balance between academics, sports, and extracurricular activities, all building character.
For the past two years, Franzen has been teaching 7th-grade history, 9th-grade history, and preparing to teach the brand new Honors Psychology course next year.
Beyond lessons and discussions, she wants students to see that history is more than just memorizing facts and dates; it’s made up of stories shaped by real people. By creating these meaningful conversations and connections, Franzen makes sure that each student feels like they are important and that their voices are heard. Wick Media Chief of Staff Juliet Halvorsen ’26 says, “Ms. Franzen is super funny. I worked with her on a Wick Media segment, and she was a joy to be around.”
Franzen is always grounded and approachable. Kayla Boval ’29, currently in Franzen’s History 9 class, describes Franzen as “honest, like really, really honest.” While Franzen understands that high school can feel overwhelming, she constantly creates an environment that is focused more on growth than grades, and she is always there to offer guidance.
Transitioning to teaching Honors Psychology next year, Franzen is determined to continue growing her relationships with her students. For Franzen, this new subject offers an opportunity to help students better understand themselves and the world around them.
As Franzen continues her journey at Chadwick, she is committed to building relationships. Her story here at Chadwick will continue with every new class every year. Each of her roles has not only helped her grow as an educator but has also helped her connect with students in middle and upper school, further strengthening her impact.
