Educating the ‘Whole-Souled Citizen’: Human-Centered Teaching in a Changing World

As education evolves amid new technologies and societal shifts, our professional learning this year centers on equipping educators with practical tools to use, as well as understandings to guide their practice. Across these workshops, we explore how educators can balance innovation with intention- leveraging tools like artificial intelligence while deepening our commitment to equity, inclusion, emotional well-being, and authentic learning. Together, we’ll develop the flexibility, empathy, and reflective practice needed to nurture students’ minds and hearts in a world that demands both human wisdom and adaptive thinking.

Available Sessions

April 7, 2026

Using AI Tools to Design Lessons that Build Human-Centric Durable Skills

Date: April 7, 2026Time: 3:45 pmPresenters: Diana Gross, Bill Campbell, Candace Ho, Molly Davis, Hyo Kim, Junia Robinson, Joshua De Los Santos, Amanda Burnett, Justin Weiner, Diane Christian, Donwan Harrell, Jay Lucci

At Dwight-Englewood, our approach to Artificial Intelligence begins and ends with people. Teachers matter most: as guides who help students develop the durable, human-centric skills that no technology can replace. This session explores how AI can serve as a tool for fac...

More Info

The Science of Happiness: Insights from Positive Psychology

Date: April 7, 2026Time: 3:45 pmPresenters: Deirdre O’Malley

What truly makes people happier and more fulfilled? This session explores the latest research in positive psychology, the study of what helps individuals and communities thrive. We’ll unpack evidence-based strategies that boost well-being, resilience, and engagement, ...

More Info

Past Sessions

Learning With Students: Insights from the Upper School Student Committee on AI

Date: January 15, 2026Time: 3:45 pmPresenters: Diana Gross, Bill Campbell, Jay Lucci, US Student Committee on AI Members

This session invites faculty to learn directly from members of the Upper School Student Committee on AI (SCAI). These student leaders have been researching the evolving role of artificial intelligence in education and developing strategies to support both teachers and p...

More Info

Unpacking Masculinity: How Schools Can Support the Emotional Lives of Boys

Date: January 15, 2026Time: 3:45 pmPresenters: David Sarfati

The purpose of this presentation is to explore how societal gender norms and expectations for boys and men influence their social-emotional development. The discussion will examine how traditional definitions of masculinity can shape boys’ experiences in school and im...

More Info

The Power of Teacher–Student Relationships

Date: January 27, 2026Time: 3:45 pmPresenters: Ariel Levitan

Join us for an engaging workshop on the power of trusting, boundaried teacher–student relationships. Through the lens of restorative practice, we’ll explore how post-incident conversations can strengthen relationships, improve behavior and engagement, foster social-...

More Info

Teachers Matter: Embracing Pedagogical Flexibility and Technology Integration to Foster Metacognitive Skills

Date: February 1, 2026Time: 3:45 pmPresenters: Diana Gross, Bill Campbell, Candace Ho, Molly Davis, Hyo Kim, Junia Robinson, Joshua De Los Santos, Amanda Burnett, Justin Weiner, Diane Christian, Donwan Harrell, Jay Lucci

As educators, we recognize that helping students “think about their thinking” is central to deep learning.This session invites teachers to explore how thoughtful AI integration can enhance, not replace, teachers developing their students’ cognition and metacogniti...

More Info

2025-2026 Presenters

Amanda Burnett

Amanda Burnett

8th Grade English Teacher

Bill Campbell

Bill Campbell

Assoc. Director of Tech for Academics

Diane Christian

Diane Christian

Upper School English Teacher

Molly Davis

Molly Davis

5th Grade Teacher

Joshua De Los Santos

Joshua De Los Santos

7th Grade Math/Science Teacher

Marc Gladstone

Marc Gladstone

Upper School Lead Learning Specialist

Diana Gross

Diana Gross

Chief Innovation Officer

Donwan Harrell

Donwan Harrell

Art Teacher

Simone Henry

Simone Henry

Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging

Candace Ho

Candace Ho

4th Grade Teacher

Dr. Marcus Ingram

Dr. Marcus Ingram

Director: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Hyo Kim

Hyo Kim

Middle School Science Teacher

Joel Lee

Joel Lee

Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging

Ariel Levitan

Ariel Levitan

Middle School Counselor

Jay Lucci

Jay Lucci

Upper School World Language Teacher

Julie Luchs

Julie Luchs

Middle School Learning Specialist

Deirdre O'Malley Psy.D.

Deirdre O'Malley Psy.D.

Director of Counseling Services

Dr. Barbara Petrella

Dr. Barbara Petrella

Lower School Psychologist

Junia Robinson

Junia Robinson

Middle School World Language Teacher

David Sarfati

David Sarfati

Upper School Counselor

David Wallin

David Wallin

Upper School Learning Specialist

Justin Weiner

Justin Weiner

Upper School History Teacher

Janine Whitman

Janine Whitman

Director of Learning Support

US Student Committee on AI Members

US Student Committee on AI Members