Stephen Bailey, “Beyond Empire”

Jan 27, 2022 | Spotlight on English

The genesis of “Beyond Empire” comes from a personal place. As a first-generation American of Trinidadian immigrants, who came to the US amidst Trinidad’s independence from the UK, Stephen Bailey finds that it is imperative to trace these stories. The central questions of the course ask, “What is it to move beyond empire? How do people understand themselves in a new context? How do you reacquire or reinvent yourself?” What underlies the curriculum is the belief that through investing in the literary worlds of other cultures, students can be world scholars and compassionate readers.

Stephen emphasizes reading a breadth of literary styles like poetry, fiction, non-fiction, etc. to think critically about how language is used. With challenging material from authors and playwrights like Tayeb Salih and Lynn Nottage, Stephen asks for courage from both his students and himself; the courage to ask hard questions and to listen to different voices and opinions. “That is where true inquiry begins!”

INSPIRE Multicultural Showcase Assembly Highlights

INSPIRE Multicultural Showcase Assembly Highlights

This morning in Schenck Auditorium, the Upper School (US) INSPIRE club, which provides a collaborative space for D-E’s diverse community, hosted its annual Multicultural Showcase Assembly. INSPIRE was founded in 2010 by Ms. Rivera Murphy ’11, Dean of Student Life,...

Don’t Miss the MS Show Choir Concert!

Don’t Miss the MS Show Choir Concert!

Rehearsals are in full swing for the Middle School Show Choir as they prepare for their annual winter concert a week from today! The vocal ensemble has catchy tunes, rhythmic beats, and dazzling dance moves in store for its big performance on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 7:00...

D-E Celebrates the Legacy of MLK

D-E Celebrates the Legacy of MLK

D-E honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. across divisions. During the Lower School (LS) Assembly on Wednesday, students from each LS grade spoke beautifully about how MLK’s dream of racial harmony and equal justice connects to our School’s core values of community,...

National History Day 2026 Highlights

National History Day 2026 Highlights

Our eighth-grade students nailed their National History Day (NHD) presentations! NHD projects require students to choose a topic related to a specific theme and conduct research, write a thesis, and create a project that supports their historical argument, shared Mr....

Making Cross-Curricular Connections in Grade 8

Making Cross-Curricular Connections in Grade 8

Knockout excellence! In an innovative cross-curricular partnership, Ms. Burnett, Grade 8 English Teacher, and Mr. Akula, Grade 8 English/History Teacher, whose students are reading “The Berlin Boxing Club” by Robert Sharenow, teamed up with the Health & Wellness...

Reunion 2025: Weekend in Review

Reunion 2025: Weekend in Review

D-E was thrilled to recently welcome alumni from the Dwight School, Englewood School for Boys (ESB), and Dwight-Englewood School for Reunion Weekend 2025, with special events for class years ending with 0 and 5. On Friday evening, October 24, 2025, there was a joyful...

D-E Summer 2026 Programs
Math & Computer Science Spotlight: Valuing Process, Problem Solving
‘CARRIE’ and ‘A Monster Calls’ Receive Foxy Award Nominations
Scholastic Art & Writing Award Recipients
Q&A With US Dean Emily Sclafani
Professional Development 2026 Highlights
8th Grade Peru Trip 2026 Highlights
Philosophy & Ethics Spotlight: Tapping Into Our Shared Humanity
A Conversation with Petra van’t Slot on Empowering Students With Data
Spring Is in the Air With D-E 360° ACE Programming!
7th Grade ‘Anatomy of a Human’ Exhibit Highlights
D-E 360° After Care and Enrichment
Athletics Schedule
Admissions
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D-E Today - News and Editorial Content

Registration Opens for D-E Summer 2026 Programs

Summer is nearly here! D-E Summer 2026 programs kickstart the summer season for our youngest learners before camp begins; teach core life skills (driving); and offer exciting opportunities in athletics (basketball and volleyball), computer programming, and...

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Celebrating Jewish Heritage Month

D-E recently hosted assemblies honoring Jewish Heritage Month across divisions. In the Lower School (LS), fifth-grade presenters revealed facts about the Jewish population around the world, and then students who identify as Jewish took turns sharing their own...

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Last Chance to Get Your Tickets to ‘Beetlejuice JR.’!

It’s almost Showtime! Don’t miss the D-E Middle School (MS) Spring Musical, “Beetlejuice JR.,” opening tomorrow night in Schenck Auditorium! “While ‘Beetlejuice’ is undoubtedly ‘a show about death,’ it is mostly a show that celebrates life,” said Director and MS...

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Lifers Celebration 2026 Highlights

The Lifers Dinner is a special celebration honoring graduating seniors who have been students in all three divisions at D-E. This year’s event recognized almost 40 members of our Class of 2026. Head of School Dr. Calleroz White gave opening remarks, Upper School...

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US Robotics Team Recognized for Mentorship, Outreach

At the recent FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship in Houston, our Upper School Robotics Team, #207 Critical Mass, competed alongside and connected with top robotics teams from around the globe. As the event was live streamed, D-E faculty and staff facilitated a...

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Student-Athlete Signing Day 2026 Highlights

 Senior student-athletes were recently honored during Signing Day, a special D-E tradition that recognizes their commitment to play at the collegiate level. Six members of the Class of 2026 gathered in the Myrna B. Sherman Gym for the ceremonial signing, surrounded...

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LEAD Students Make Connections With Cyanotypes

In their Blue Era! Members of the Leaders for Equity & Diversity (LEAD) Program recently created identity-inspired cyanotypes, a printing process that uses ultraviolet light and water to produce a blue-hued photographic image. LEAD Advisor Mr. Joel Lee ’17,...

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