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!”
More to the Middle: Innovative Teaching in Middle School
Middle School Principal Jonathan Davis understands that adolescence is hard. He noted that, “No one wrote a book called ‘Middle School: The Best Years of my Life,’ ” Our culture’s associations with middle school are often flooded by memories of embarrassment and...
Lower School Science
“Innovation must start with our youngest minds and thinkers.” This philosophy drives Lower School Science teachers, Julie Pugkhem and Yi Li, who are tasked with fostering students’ curiosity and critical thinking skills. Now in her eighth year at D-E, Julie works...
Club Être Celebrates Women’s History Month
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Club Être “Zoomed” in early March with Elizabeth “Beth” O’ Connell, proud ambassador and strategic advisor to Etregirls.com. O’Connell is a multi Emmy award recipient and she was one of the first female Executive Producers at...
MS Papercut: D-E’s Middle School Newspaper Makes the Cut!
The Middle School is on the scene! Editors-in-chief Anna Ibarguen ’26 and Madigan Kacmar ’26 have led the charge for the Middle School’s official student newspaper, MS Papercut. The second year in production, the club has only grown with contributors, eager to share...
D-Ebate Team
Debate Team has had a stellar track record this year. Throughout the school year, debate club team members have competed in events, showcasing their argumentative and orator skills against other regional debate teams. Congratulations to Aly Calmas ’24 and Sam Gilman...
South Asian Affinity Assembly
In March, the South Asian Affinity Group showcased an insightful presentation on South Asian cultures, figures, literature, and fashion. To top it all off, New York Times Senior Editor, Shashank Bengali, zoomed in to talk about his journey as a journalist and...
DEFAC’s March Madness Fundraiser
D-EFAC (Dwight-Englewood Fights Against Cancer) hosted a March Madness fundraiser for young alumna Mariam Abdelhaq ’17 who is fighting breast cancer. Students created teams and paid an entry ticket to enter the basketball tournament. The senior team “Mutant Ninja...
V-Day Performance Raises Funds for Local Women’s Center
The annual benefit performance “V-Day” aims to end violence against women and girls under the global activist movement under the same name, and to empower women of all ages. Mary Heveran (Lower School Music Teacher) kicked-off D-E’s version of this annual event with...
Black Affinity Presents Black History Month Assembly
Black History Month is about recognizing and appreciating black culture and the significant role that Black /African Americans have provided in American History. D-E Black Affinity Group students presented a special Upper School Assembly designed to honor and...
Asian Affinity Group Hosts Lunar New Year Assembly
To celebrate the Lunar New Year, the Asian Affinity Group hosted a mini-fashion show and presentation on how different Asian cultures celebrate the holiday. Students also presented how each of their own families uniquely celebrate with food and cultural traditions. It...
