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.
Meghna Mathur – Kindergarten Co-Teacher
Meghna Mathur is a Kindergarten Co-Teacher with a decade of experience in early childhood education. She holds a degree in Child Psychology from Southern Methodist University. Meghna's professional journey includes teaching at Stevens Cooperative School in Hoboken,...
Scott Murphy – Middle/Upper School Science Teacher
Scott Murphy will teach Physics and AP Physics at D-E. He previously taught Physics and Math in China, New York City, and Philadelphia. Scott will also be an Assistant Coach for the Varsity Girls Volleyball team. Scott earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics and his...
Joshua Paik – HVAC Technician
Joshua Paik joins the Maintenance staff as an HVAC Technician. Josh says he's looking forward to meeting his new colleagues on campus and assisting the D-E community in any way he can.
Amanda Carstens-Potts – Office Assistant/Upper School Attendance
Amanda Carstens-Potts is the new Upper School Attendance Officer and a D-E parent ('37). She has more than 19 years' experience in Administration and Management, during which she was tasked with inspiring, motivating, and training highly successful teams of employees....
Lambratu “Bree” Rahaman – Lower School Teaching Assistant
Lambratu "Bree" Rahaman is a new Lower School Teaching Assistant. Bree says she enjoys being a lifelong learner and is pursuing her Master's degree in Education at Saint Peter's University. She was previously a Substitute Teacher in D-E's Lower School before working...
Kat Sanford – Middle/Upper School Librarian
Kat Sanford is the Middle/Upper School Librarian. She spent nearly a decade in education and says she enjoys not only answering questions, but also providing students with the tools they need to find the answers. Kat has a degree in English from Massachusetts College...
Dena Silver – Middle/Upper School Mathematics
Dena Silver joins as a Part-Time Math Specialist for grades 6-10. She graduated from William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ, with a dual Bachelor of Arts in English and Secondary Education. She also holds a Master of Education in Reading and Mathematics. Dena says...
Kimberly Situ – Preschool 4 Teacher
Kimberly Situ is a Preschool 4 Teacher in the Lower School. She has more than 10 years' experience working with young people in various settings, including schools, youth programs, and community initiatives. Seven of those years have been focused on early childhood...
Adam Slee – Dean of Performing Arts
Adam Slee is the Dean of Performing Arts. He holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Theatre Pedagogy from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and a Bachelor's degree in Theatrical Arts for Stage and Screen from Utah Valley...
Justin Weiner – Upper School History Teacher
Justin Weiner joins as a History Teacher in the Upper School. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History from Ithaca College and a Master of Arts in Social Studies Education from Manhattanville University. Justin says he is focused on fostering the skills that his...
