Before coming to D-E, History Department Chair, Arika “Ari” Easley-Houser taught at Rutgers Prep and several colleges and universities, including Montclair State University and New York University. A socio-cultural historian focused on United States history, she received her Ph.D. from Rutgers University and a certificate in school management from the Harvard Business School. She was recently selected for a National Association of Independent Schools Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads. Now in her third year of heading the department, Easley-Houser speaks to the importance of historical inquiry for students and how the history curriculum must reflect and respond to the diversity of students. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
English Department Spotlight Video
Mr. Meserole, P’26, ’28, ’30, English Department Chair, shares how teachers in his department “create the conditions for learning.” He, along with other English Department faculty, point to examples of inclusive excellence, self-discovery, and innovation in action in...
US Students ‘Lunch & Learn’ How to Knit
In the latest in a series of Lunch & Learn programming, hosted by the DEIB Department & Student Activities, Upper School students were guided through knitting basics courtesy of Ms. Weinstein, Science Department Chair. These workshops offer our students the...
8th Graders Engage in Service Learning Field Trips
With our D-E mission to “make it better” clearly in mind, 8th graders recently participated in hands-on service learning to benefit local organizations. Students chose from three volunteering programs: Pasta packing at the Community FoodBank of NJ warehouse (they...
US Students ‘Lunch & Learn’ About Social Entrepreneurship
Problem solvers unite! This week the office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging hosted a presentation by Reilly Brooks, Executive Director of Schoolyard Ventures, for students in Grades 10 and 11 about her organization’s Social Innovators Program––designed...
MS Discovery Classes Explore Civil Rights Movements
This week, Middle School students in the Creative Writing, In the News, and Developing Leadership Discovery classes went on a field trip to the Museum of the City of New York. “We had a guided tour on activism in New York, specifically focusing on two movements—LGBTQ+...
D-E 360° Chess Team Competes Well in State Competition
The D-E 360° Chess Team is dominating the board! Twenty-one of our students attended the U.S. Chess Federation’s recent NJ State Championship Event at Brookdale Community College. “Overall, as a team, this was our most successful tournament yet!” exclaimed Grandmaster...
‘Gratitude Is the Word of the Day’ During the Thanksgiving Assembly
There were hellos and hugs all around during the Annual Thanksgiving Assembly on the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 25, where students and faculty/staff from each division gathered in the Myrna B. Sherman Gym to express their gratitude in a multitude of ways. The event was...
Get Ready for the MS/US Orchestra Winter Concert
Don’t miss a single note! The Middle School & Upper School Orchestra will perform their annual Winter Concert this Friday, Dec. 5, at 7:00 PM in Schenck Auditorium. The repertoire will include music from contemporary artists such as Eric Whitacre and renowned American...