Giving News
Supporting Curricular Innovation in Lower School Social Studies
In the summer of 2022, fourth grade teachers Nikki Wiseman and Christian Wareikis received professional development funding from Shipley (along with teachers in first and fifth grades) to evaluate and re-design their social studies curriculum. We asked Mrs. Wiseman about the work and the impact it has had in her class.
Q: How does your professional development experience support Shipley's unique approach to educational excellence?
Wiseman: We were able to really look at the curriculum, examine our essential questions, and evaluate what we want to be teaching our students. We created three big essential questions that are the building blocks for every unit we teach: Who gets to tell history, whose stories are told, and whose voices are absent, and why are those stories missing. We looked at the experiences of disempowered people and made connections between the past and present, because in fourth grade we look at early American history from the early 1600s to just before the Civil War. By having the time this summer, we were able to find all sorts of new books that were written in the last five years from up-and-coming authors of color to integrate into our curriculum.
Q: How does this work deliver on Shipley’s mission?
Wiseman: We hope that our new curriculum, and especially our essential questions, create a sense of belonging and connection for our students. With the new literature featuring diverse perspectives and viewpoints, we hope our students can see themselves reflected. Exploring the often-untold perspectives of disempowered groups can also strengthen our students’ character and sense of empathy.
Q: Has this work had an impact on your students?
Wiseman: The changes we implemented have already had a huge impact on our students, and we're only two months into the school year. Everything we're teaching in social studies goes back to those essential questions and our students are able to build enduring understandings around those.
Q: Why is it important for Shipley teachers to have these kinds of professional development opportunities afforded to them?
Wiseman: Without this time over the summer, Christian and I would not have had the proper time to reevaluate our curriculum. We had been doing the work little by little by looking at new literature that was coming out and making sure that we were integrating various voices and perspectives, but we really needed quality time together, consistently so that we could revamp the entire curriculum and roll it out seamlessly.
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Q: How does your professional development experience support Shipley's unique approach to educational excellence?
Wiseman: We were able to really look at the curriculum, examine our essential questions, and evaluate what we want to be teaching our students. We created three big essential questions that are the building blocks for every unit we teach: Who gets to tell history, whose stories are told, and whose voices are absent, and why are those stories missing. We looked at the experiences of disempowered people and made connections between the past and present, because in fourth grade we look at early American history from the early 1600s to just before the Civil War. By having the time this summer, we were able to find all sorts of new books that were written in the last five years from up-and-coming authors of color to integrate into our curriculum.
Q: How does this work deliver on Shipley’s mission?
Wiseman: We hope that our new curriculum, and especially our essential questions, create a sense of belonging and connection for our students. With the new literature featuring diverse perspectives and viewpoints, we hope our students can see themselves reflected. Exploring the often-untold perspectives of disempowered groups can also strengthen our students’ character and sense of empathy.
Q: Has this work had an impact on your students?
Wiseman: The changes we implemented have already had a huge impact on our students, and we're only two months into the school year. Everything we're teaching in social studies goes back to those essential questions and our students are able to build enduring understandings around those.
Q: Why is it important for Shipley teachers to have these kinds of professional development opportunities afforded to them?
Wiseman: Without this time over the summer, Christian and I would not have had the proper time to reevaluate our curriculum. We had been doing the work little by little by looking at new literature that was coming out and making sure that we were integrating various voices and perspectives, but we really needed quality time together, consistently so that we could revamp the entire curriculum and roll it out seamlessly.
Why We Give
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Erika Griffin White ’98
Consistency is the key to making an impact, so as a loyal donor I want to make sure that my impact is a part of the fabric of Shipley’s continuous growth. When you loyally donate every year, you can see the progressive impact you have on programming, educational access, and a host of other initiatives our donations support. -
Lee Osterman & Elissa Topol
We want other children and families to receive all the educational benefits and rewards our children did in a caring and supportive environment. Our experience was truly a family adventure. No matter how times change and the years pass since the Shipley sisters started the School, the core values fostering excellence in education and responsibility for contributing to the world have not only changed, but strengthened. -
Caleb Balderston ’06
I’m committing myself to developing young leaders through secondary education, and find it important to support the institutions that instilled this in me. -
DeDe Chirgwin Brown
I was Director of External Relations for 23 years at Shipley, and I was able to get to know so many parents, alumni, faculty and staff. In addition, my daughter was a student at Shipley for 14 years, graduating in 2008, the year that I “graduated” from the School. I was motivated to give back as a parent for her academic education and her love of sports, both of which were so important to her in her college career as well as her future. -
Megan & Matt Genkin, P’30 P’33
We give to Shipley because after six years here, we have seen firsthand the amazing benefits of a Shipley education. Seeing how both of our children have grown academically, socially, and emotionally makes giving back an easy decision! Shipley encourages students to see the world beyond their own and realize that that world shares both similarities and differences. The focus on empathy in the curriculum is so important. -
Peter Raymond ’05
My 13 years at Shipley shaped me into the person I am today. I’m grateful to Shipley for a fantastic education, opportunities for exploration, meaningful relationships, and fond memories. Shipley prepared me well for life after high school. I appreciate all that Shipley has given me and am proud to support the School. -
Katy Sherrerd ’75
Shipley’s commitment to a culture that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion is an excellent example of how the school can help to shape a better world. An inclusive culture (with role models and a supportive community) provides a safe place for all students to learn the skills they will need to make a difference in the future. -
Chris & Wendy Smith, P’28 P’30
We prioritize giving back to and volunteering at Shipley because we feel strongly about living the School’s mission and see the clear benefits a Shipley education has provided our children. Shipley’s approach to positive education, focus on critical thinking, and strong sense of community creates a place where all students can succeed. -
Sophie Hart ’77
It was a great privilege for me to experience 13 wonderful years as a Shipley student. Shipley provided an unparalleled educational opportunity from Beechwood and Middle House to Upper School. But it also provided invaluable lifelong friendships that I deeply cherish, not only with my fellow students, but also with their parents, grandparents, siblings, and spouses, and with many of the talented and caring members of the faculty. This institution, this experience, these people, and all of the associated memories gave me a unique preparation for life’s journey. That is my motivation for making an annual gift. Fortiter in re, leniter in modo. -
Tim Lightman, P’28
Shipley supports the development of critical thinking skills, promotes the importance of compassionate participation in the world, and nurtures individual and collective wellbeing, all skills that children will need as they become adults in an increasingly complex and global environment. Being part of the community as both a parent and colleague inspires me to give. I know that giving back helps not just my daughter but all the students.
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Adopting a Daily Harkness Practice in Upper School History
Upper School history teachers Zackaria Gaines and Chris Simpson traveled to attend the Exeter Humanities Institute. The five-day workshop bought together teachers from across the country to support their growth in the discussion-based pedagogy known as Harkness teaching. We asked Mr. Gaines about what impact the Institute has had on his teaching and students.Read More -
Introducing Interactive Notebooks in Middle School Math
Middle School Math Teachers Sarah Stehman and Lauren Luchetti attended the Beyond the Math Curriculum conference. One of the tools that the math teachers learned about and brought back to Shipley was the interactive math notebook. We asked Mrs. Stehman about the conference and how interactive notebooks have made an impact in her classes.Read More -
Supporting Curricular Innovation in Lower School Social Studies
In the summer of 2022, fourth grade teachers Nikki Wiseman and Christian Wareikis received professional development funding from Shipley (along with teachers in first and fifth grades) to evaluate and re-design their social studies curriculum. We asked Mrs. Wiseman about the work and the impact it has had in her class.Read More -
Hakiem Coles ’07: Raising Funds for Shipley’s Black Students and Teachers
“Shipley was life-changing for me. It opened up my world," says alumnus Hakiem Coles ’07. His belief in the power of education to positively impact the lives of other black students inspired him to join Shipley's Black Alumni Association and establish a named endowed fund, the Black Alumni Association Fund, to support the curricular and cultural needs of Shipley’s Black students and teachers.Read More -
Rik Morris ’80: Giving Forward to Shipley’s LGBTQ+ Community
Rik Morris ’80 is a strong example of the Shipley spirit and the School’s commitment to supporting everyone in the community. “I don’t believe in giving back,” says the 2020 Alumni Service Award recipient. “I believe in giving forward.” Following his retirement as a Trustee a few years ago, Morris is serving as inaugural co-chair of the newly formed Shipley LGBTQ+ Alumni Association,Read More -
Why I Give: The Chapin Family
I’m an introvert, and he’s an extrovert,” says Emily Chapin Vollkommer ’05, of herself and her brother Colin Chapin ’08. At Shipley, they both thrived. “We could be our own people,” Colin says. Read more about the Chapins and why they give back to Shipley.Read More -
Why I Give: Upper School Science Teacher Andy Shepherd
Andy Shepherd has been teaching at Shipley for 17 years, and for 17 years, he’s been giving back to the School. As the recipient of financial aid to attend private school, he says he gives to Shipley “to create opportunities for kids out there like me, who want a better opportunity.” Learn more about Andy Shepherd and why he gives back to Shipley.Read More
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The Shipley School is a private, coeducational day school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, located in Bryn Mawr, PA. Through our commitment to educational excellence, we develop within each student a love of learning and a desire for compassionate participation in the world.
