Students in the 10th Grade European history course recently wrapped up their study of World War I. The unit highlighted best practices in education including differentiated instruction and project based learning. Historical context for the unit was covered through classroom instruction and discussion, the analysis of primary sources, and readings in the text. However, students […]
I just returned from a wonderful trip to Sequoia National Park. It was my first time there and planning an EDT in an unfamiliar location was a little nerve wracking. I wasn’t worried about safety or communication issues, but was more concerned about providing a positive experience for the students. However, as I found out, […]
It is a beautiful time of year in Ojai. I just drove back from a dinner in town with my advisees and we could smell the orange blossoms from Grand Ave. all the way up to campus. It can be very easy to be removed from world events while living in this bucolic setting. […]
…you can take your current student athletes to watch former student athletes play in a professional match. That is what I had the pleasure to do last Saturday afternoon at UCSB. Joanna, Sage, and Cassie (members of the current girls’ varsity soccer team) and I went to see the MLS Chicago Fire reserves play against […]
Last night (Thursday, 14 December), the AP Comparative Government class participated in a simulation of a House of Commons debate in the fabulously refurbished Study Hall. The atmosphere was formal and even a bit unruly as the debate heated up; much like the actual House of Commons. Students researched their assigned party positions on four […]
Election years are always exciting and this years’ contests were particularly so at the local, state, and national levels. Beginning last year with the closely contested Republican primary and picking up again in September, the campus was buzzing with political discussions about the candidates and important issues. The process reached its climax last week as […]
As part of the Environmental Action Committee (EAC), Shravan Rajasekaran, Tae Jung Kim, and I are working to revive the production of biodiesel fuel here on campus. We successfully brewed a test batch of about three gallons of fuel and are currently working to maintain the existing equipment by replacing gaskets, hoses, and installing proper safety […]
You never know where you’ll run into Thacher students. I attended the 5th annual Ojai Youthfest at Libbey Park with my daughters, Annika and Christina, this past Sunday. After the girls competed in the 4th grade health and nutrition trivia contest and while they were waiting for their turn on the trampoline, I wandered around to […]
Spending time with students outside of the classroom is one of the aspects of teaching at Thacher that I enjoy the most. After Mr. Wyman, Headmaster Emeritus, declared a “holiday” last week, I decided to take some students for a sail with my newly found time. I was […]
Ride a Segway. Check. One more check off of the bucket list. I had the opportunity to lead a group of students on a Beverly Hills Segway Tour this past Cultural Weekend. Kara Hooper organized the trip with Another Side Tours and led a group in the morning. I […]