Global Education
More than School Trips
In the Classroom
In the Classroom
Beginning in the fall of 2020, Dr. Brandon Gauthier, Director of Global Education, began working with the faculty to integrate global competencies into course work and global study programs. Gauthier frames his role as: “help(ing) Derryfield continue to conceptualize global education as about person-to-person connections…we aim for DS graduates to feel as confident speaking with Nepalese villagers as they do with peers in our immediate community.” As we look toward the future, Derryfield students will have growing opportunities to continue to engage with a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Community Education
Cultural Partnerships
Global education is not only about experiences off campus. Derryfield regularly establishes new partnerships to bring relevant speakers to campus. Last spring, two guests from Senegal joined a 9th grade class to host a workshop on contemporary Islam, as related to their history class, Histories of Modern Asia & Africa. Later in the year, a speaker from Where There Be Dragons—an organization dedicated to engaging the “wisdom of community voices” from all parts of the world—addressed the DS community on how to “travel without traveling.”
Global Travel Opportunities
Derryfield offers a variety of global travel experiences every year to students in both middle and upper school. Our students have traveled to South Africa, Nepal, Dominican Republic, Germany, England, Vietnam, and Washington D.C., to name a few!
United Kingdom: “Londoner” History of England and Theatre
Grades: 6-8
March 14-20, 2025
Program Leaders: Mrs. Ryzewski, Mr. Baroody, Mrs. Murphy
Travelers will have the opportunity to dive into the rich history of London! From Trafalgar Square to the Tower of London, students will explore the British capital and experience 1,000 years of Royal history. Gaze at the Crown Jewels. Tour the historic recreation of the original Globe theater. Learn about Jack the Ripper and eat fish & chips!
“Amadeus” & the Arts in Venice, Salzburg, Vienna, Prague
Grades: 9-12
March 14-23, 2025
Program leaders: Mr. Westenberg, Mrs. Barsi, Mr. Bonjorno
Experience the extraordinary cultural and artistic history of Central Europe in Venice, Vienna, Salzburg, and Prague. Students will learn about glassblowing in northern Italy; visit the birthplace of Mozart in Austria; and view the movie setting of Sound of Music from Kapuzinerberg Hill outside of Salzburg. They will see the Vienna Opera House; learn how to make Mozartkugel (a type of chocolate ball filled with marzipan) in the Austrian capital; and tour Prague with a special visit to Hradčany Castle.
Nepal: Traditions of the Himalayas
Grades: 9-12
March 14-26, 2025
Program leaders: Mr. Brandt, Ms. Chaplin (Faculty Alumnus)
Learn Nepali in Kathmandu and tour Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO heritage site, as well as other sacred sites in the Nepali capital. After day hikes in the foothills of the Himalayas, fly to Pokhara and experience a four-day rural home stay with families from the Magar community. The program culminates with a 25 mile hike through the Himalayas. Students can expect to hear powerful stories and see a combination of impressive resiliency and stalwart faith from a variety of rural and urban communities.
Habitat for Humanity- Winston-Salem, NC
Grades: 9-12 (students must be 16 years old by March 16, 2025)
March 16-22, 2025
Program leaders: Derryfield Faculty/Staff
This year Derryfield will be celebrating 18 years of partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Our group will travel to Winston-Salem, NC to spend a week building homes alongside construction staff andlocal volunteers. Aside from working hard and learning new skills, students will come home with a sense of satisfaction and appreciation for the need for affordable housing.
