That philosophy guides the Ethics Department Chair, Sr. Joseph Murphy, for his first-time tenth grade students. Sr. Murphy explains that, “they [students] think of opinions somehow like it’s property that they ‘own it’ somehow, but they really don’t own it fully until they can argue for it. Knowledge in a certain sense is a process, and you have to arrive at a conclusion through a process.”
Over this past Summer 2021, Ethics Department Chair Sr. Joe Murphy contributed a chapter within the anthology Intentional Disruption: Expanding Access to Philosophy (2021) published by Vernon Press. The anthology edited by Stephen Miller outlines how educators in philosophy have implemented the discipline at the pre-college level.
Students are always “in process” in class, formulating their ideas, at times, only in Spanish. Joe Murphy’s chapter “Once a Philosopher-In-Hiding: Teaching Philosophy in Spanish in the USA” details his journey from being the language department chair to trailblazing the now expansive ethics department curricula. He is one of few educators to integrate second language education with philosophical inquiry emphasizing that, “language is a way that we identify ourselves. When we talk and when we use language, it’s one of the ways that we make sense of the world.”
Philosophical education in high schools is often attributed as “critical thinking”. Sr. Murphy argues that what precedes the idea of “critical thinking” is first philosophical inquiry. He has seen what it provides in little moments: parents amazed with how their children have learned to discuss hard questions over the dinner table. Sr. Murphy hopes and implores other schools, administrators, and philosophers-in-hiding to take the leap. After all, they will become the philosophers and leaders of our future.
MS Students Showcase Innovative Projects Presented at the Bergen SciChallenge
Full STEM ahead! Ten of our Middle School students recently represented D-E at the Bergen SciChallenge, standing out in a highly competitive field of more than 175 student presenters across the state. After placing an impressive first in Mathematics and Computer...
Third Graders Share How They Made a Difference This Year
Third Graders Making a Difference (TGMD), a Lower School year-long service-learning curriculum founded 12 years ago by Ms. Michelle Sussmann and co-led by Ms. Rachel Brainin P ’23, ’25, recently culminated in a TGMD Assembly attended by 3rd grade families. To begin...
Students Find Their Dancing Feet at D-E
As a continuation of its celebration of dance, the Upper School’s Dance@D-E program, facilitated by Class of 2027 Dean Stephanie “Tuc” Tucker, recently hosted professional dancer and choreographer Chris Mangual to teach a dance class that was open to anyone interested...
Kindergarten Zoo 2026 Highlights
A cherished Lower School tradition recently returned to Mr. Rocky’s Field—the annual Kindergarten Zoo! This year there were “new facts and a new class whose interests really shined through,” said Kindergarten Teacher Ms. Meghna Mathur. “We tell them that you become...
D-E Middle Schoolers Participate in ‘Teens for Peace’ Program
Five of D-E’s 7th and 8th graders were recently honored by the Englewood Rotary Club’s Teens for Peace Program, which involves several other schools in the area and culminates with the planting of a “Peace Pole” somewhere in Englewood. Zorena A. ’30, Ken E. ’30, Vicky...
Middle School Talent Show Highlights
Bravo to our Middle School (MS) performers who showcased their talents during the annual MS Talent Show earlier this week! This year’s show included a poignant duet of the song “For Good” from the hit musical Wicked; inspiring, impressive solos in voice, violin,...
Middle School Athletics 2025-2026 Highlights
Way to go Middle School (MS) Bulldogs! D-E MS Athletics has wrapped-up after a fantastic series of Fall, Winter and Spring Teams seasons. MS students and their coaches enjoyed watching a highlight reel of their entire 2025-2026 year in sports, at a recent assembly. We...
Commencement 2026: Relishing ‘Moments of Awe’ Now and in the Future
Caps off to the Class of 2026! On a clear, crisp Sunday morning, the D-E community celebrated our seniors reaching the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. Commencement 2026 was called to order with a ceremonial bell-ringing by Student Body...
Sixth Graders Present Their Experimental Designs
This morning, sixth graders presented weeks’ worth of group research, experimentation, and data analysis during the Sixth Grade Experimental Design Fair in Hajjar Auditorium. Teams worked together to select a topic of interest, which required consensus and...
Parents’ Association Hosts Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
D-E Parents’ Association recently hosted their annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast on a beautiful morning beneath the tent on Leggett Field. Head of School Dr. Calleroz White P ’27, ’28, ’33 gave opening remarks, thanking volunteers who’ve worked hard this year as...
