Excitement Builds for the New School Year
Rumsey faculty and staff are back on campus, and the energy is contagious! The buzz of preparation is in full swing as we gear up for the return of our students. From getting dormitories ready and setting up classrooms to engaging in orientations, summer reading discussions, health training, and technology setups—there’s a lot happening behind the scenes.We're excited to see our students back in our little neck of the woods soon. It’s going to be an amazing year ahead!
During orientation week at Rumsey, faculty and staff had the chance to engage with Kent Lenci, an experienced educator known for his work on bridging political divides in schools. With over two decades of experience in teaching and leadership, Kent shared valuable strategies and insights.He explored today's complex political landscape and the unique educational opportunities it offers. Drawing from his extensive experience at conferences and in his writing on fostering connections across differences, Kent urged educators to practice and model open dialogue and empathy.His session provided the Rumsey Hall community with practical techniques to help students engage in respectful, meaningful conversations, preparing them to contribute positively to a diverse world.
Rumsey faculty and staff also had a learning discussion with Afrika Mills, an expert in cultivating culturally responsive and sustaining educational practices. Afrika, who collaborates with teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators, shared her commitment to developing anti-bias, anti-racist, and pro-human instructional strategies that foster student-centered learning environments. Drawing from her extensive experience and her influential book, Open Windows, Open Minds: Developing Antiracist, Pro-Human Students, Afrika provided a powerful blueprint for nurturing diversity, belonging, equity, and inclusion within the classroom. She passionately emphasized that all educators have the potential to be motivated, dynamic leaders when given the right support and resources. Her session left the Rumsey Hall community inspired and equipped to create more inclusive and impactful learning experiences for all students.
