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.
8th Grade Discovery Field Trip to PIX11
Hot off the presses! Students in 8th Grade Dean Ali Miller’s ‘In the News’ Discovery class recently got a sneak peek at a morning news broadcast during a field trip to WPIX (Channel 11), a TV station in New York City, followed by a tour of the United Nations. Ms....
Engineering Pioneer Speaks to Women in STEM; Sylvie Yao ‘27 Honored
Women in STEM Education (WISE) recently hosted Chitra Venkatraman, Co-Chair of Women in Engineering for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE), who was on campus to present Sylvie Yao ’27 with the IEEE’s North Jersey Young Engineer Award....
Sixth Grade Experimental Design Fair Highlights
Sixth graders unveiled the results of weeks of scientific research, experimentation, and data analysis for the Sixth Grade Experimental Design Fair, which took place this morning in Hajjar Auditorium. “Through hands-on experiments, students have learned to ask...
“How to Get Away With a Murder Mystery”: Spring Theatre 2025 One Act Play Highlights
Senior Hannah Carroll ’25 recently presented her comedic one-act play, “How to Get Away with a Murder Mystery,” to a packed Hulst House. The student director described the show as “a parody on the beloved murder mystery genre with references to Clue, Knives Out,...
8th Grade “Living Wax Museum” Brings History to Life
The 8th grade Living Wax Museum, facilitated by Grade 8 English Department Faculty Mr. Gautham Akula and Ms. Amanda Burnett, showcased historical figures selected by our students. Each student dressed the part and gave a well-rehearsed presentation to parents,...
MAGIC 2025 Highlights
D-E’s school spirit was on full display recently at the Myrna B. Sherman Gym, where MAGIC happened! Rain kept the annual intramural competition indoors, but it didn’t dampen the sense of community beaming from the rafters. “Spirited, cheerful D-E is my favorite...
Art in Action Aims to Inspire and Have an Impact
In an example of cross-divisional collaboration that beautifully illustrates imagination, the Art in Action student organization, advised by Rachel Brusky of the US/MS Art & Design Department, repurposed a tree they created as part of the set design of the HOPE...
Cabaret Night & All-School Chorus/Drumming Concerts an Inspiring Performance Double-Header!
This week, D-E Performing Arts hosted an inspiring double-header of live musical performances! During the Cabaret Night Concert on Monday, May 19, our Jazz Workshop and Stage Band ensembles, directed by Music Director Rob DeBellis P’18,’15 and accompanied by guest...
All-School Chorus & Drumming Concert Tomorrow, May 20
Our chorus students from all divisions have been working hard preparing for the All-School Chorus & Drumming Concert, on Tuesday, May 20, and starting at 7:00 PM in Schenck Auditorium. Middle / Upper School Music Teacher Ken Kacmar P ’26, ’28 said this is the...
Women in Finance Hosts a D-E Alumna, J.P. Morgan Banker
D-E’s Women in Finance student organization, facilitated by Faculty Advisor and Chief Financial Officer Angela Artale, recently hosted alumna Neesha Khanna ’09, a private banker at J.P. Morgan, for a conversation on building a career in finance. Ms. Khanna answered...