MB Believes

MB BELIEVES a vision for learning, people and place

Moses Brown, a Friends school, exists to inspire the inner promise of each student and instill the utmost care for learning, people and place.

Thank you, Moses Brown community.

Over the course of the last three years, we have engaged in a creative process of visioning at MB. Throughout, our thinking has been informed by a dual strategy: preserving what has always made MB great, while exploring ways to build on our strengths and innovate for the future. Now, with the benefit of input from more than a thousand members of the school community, we have gained clarity on our leading priorities and are ready to enhance our programs and facilities in significant ways.

Today’s children — tomorrow’s leaders — are going to need a distinct set of skills, values and attributes in order to successfully navigate the complex world of the 21st century. MB BELIEVES explains what we are doing to ready students for that world. It will introduce you to our vision and some of the key programs and people who will make it possible. It’s designed to be a tool to inform, engage and inspire you, so by all means — explore!

Thank you for helping us create a school with the ingenuity both to honor its past and embrace the future. I look forward to the journey ahead.

THE CHALLENGE

We are living in a time of massive change.

From a doubling of the Earth’s population in the past half century, to the connection of one billion users on Facebook in the past half decade, our world is both expanding and shrinking. New forms of technology and communication are bringing distant cultures and economies into closer contact than ever before.

It is exciting to live at a time when societies are becoming increasingly interconnected and interdependent, forcing us to expand our thinking across national, cultural, religious and other boundaries. At the same time, globalization has spawned complex problems — e.g., climate change, economic instability — that also cross international borders and defy easy solutions.

Confronting such challenges and opportunities will require skillful navigation: preserving timeless values while exploring bold new ideas.

NOW MORE THAN EVER, MB’S HISTORY IS WORTH REPEATING. FOR 230 YEARS, WE HAVE ...

… drawn inspiration from our founder, Moses Brown: a Quaker leader, entrepreneur, educational visionary, civic activist, philanthropist and agent for social justice.

… prepared students for lives of leadership by promoting integrity, equality and service toward positive social change.

… offered a multi-disciplinary, liberal arts education that exposes students to the broadest possible array of human endeavors and knowledge.

... imparted essential skills such as reading with insight and understanding, speaking clearly and persuasively, and writing effectively.

... used Socratic teaching to nurture initiative, selfconfidence, and openness to new perspectives.

... valued the practice of reflection — both individually and in groups — for fostering self-discovery and collective wisdom.

... supported extensive opportunities for athletic competition and physical fitness to fully develop the whole child — mind, body and spirit.

... HONORED THE PAST AND EMBRACED THE FUTURE.

INSPIRATION

Augustine Jones “I have to this day ... a reverence for engines remote from, but kindred to worship.�

As Principal (Headmaster) of Moses Brown from 1879-1904,

Augustine Jones played a defining role in the history of the school. A birthright Quaker, champion debater and devotee of Shakespeare, he had a profound reverence for progressive learning. Fascinated by the many technological advancements of the Industrial Era, Jones valued the practical application of cross-disciplinary knowledge. He was the first to introduce mechanical arts such as carpentry and metalworking to the school, as well as vocal and instrumental music. He built the Studio of the Three Oaks, a gymnasium (now the library), facilities for football, baseball and track, and added core infrastructure such as electric lights, telephones and a new heating plant. A lawyer and member of the Massachusetts legislature, Augustine Jones also played a prominent role in the civic affairs of his day, serving the Providence City Council, the Park Association and the Rhode Island Historical Society. He was a man ahead of his time whose legacy continues to echo at Moses Brown.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

What body of information, what skills and values will prepare today’s rising generation to live and lead in a rapidly changing world?

“Events, threats and opportunities aren’t just coming at us faster or with less predictability; they are converging and influencing each other to create entirely unique situations. These firsts-of-their-kind developments require unprecedented degrees of creativity – which has become a more important leadership quality than attributes like management, discipline, rigor or operational acumen.”

-Samuel J. Palmisano, Chairman & Former President & CEO, IBM Corporation

Skills for the 21st Century

CEOs worldwide — representing 60 industries in 30 countries — the IBM Global CEO study ranked creativity as the most important skill

60%

CREATIVITY

52%

INTEGRITY GLOBAL THINKING

Surveying more than 1,500

35%

for navigating an increasingly complex world.

EXPERT THINKING GLOBAL AWARENESS ETHICAL LEADERSHIP North Stars: Guiding our vision for growth As we gaze toward the future, we see three trends on the horizon, a convergence of attributes that will empower students to live lives of leadership, purpose and fulfillment: Expert Thinking (applying acquired knowledge to new situations); Global Awareness; and Ethical Leadership.

This constellation of values will guide our development now and into the future. It will provide a framework for impactful teaching and deep learning, and enhance our ability to carry out MB’s mission: to inspire the inner promise of each student and instill the utmost care for learning, people and place.

TRIPs EXPERT THINKING MODEL

LEARNING

OPEN ACCESS WORLD-CLASS TEACHING

PEOPLE N

iLAB

PLACE

YOUNG LEARNERS CENTER COMMUNITY & PERFORMANCE CENTER

LEARNING BACK TO HOME

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We believe in bringing our classrooms to the world and the world to our classrooms.

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Introducing:

MB TRIPs

Travel, Research & Immersion Programs “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”

— Marcel Proust

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INSPIRATION

Donald McNemar, Quaker leader & diplomat “The prospects for a peaceful world depend on creating a generation of global citizens – knowledgeable, empathetic and engaged.”

Don McNemar is an expert on international relations and political

A member of MB’s Board of Trustees, Don McNemar is

studies. A lifelong Quaker, his special relationship with the faith

senior lecturer in global studies at Bentley University,

guides his political mission on an international scale. In his

and formerly headmaster of Phillips Academy, Andover

diplomatic efforts, Don was a member of a Quaker delegation to

and president of Guilford College. His 2012 TEDx talk

North Korea and served on the Quaker UN Office Committee.

at Moses Brown, “Quiet Diplomacy,” described a life’s

While at Andover, he helped negotiate and lead the first exchange

work devoted to educating for peace and

program which brought students from the U.S.S.R. to live and

understanding around the world. Don has visited and

study at a U.S. school for an extended period of time. Dedicated to

worked in numerous countries, from Austria to

serving the global common good, Don has traveled to more than

Uzbekistan. Here, Don is reading with students at the

30 countries to promote international relations and conflict

Mmofra Trom School in Ghana.

resolution efforts.

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MB TODAY

“I believe I will always grow into a better me if I find a new - Louisa, Upper School perspective.”

TRIPs at MB Today For more than a decade, upper school students, led by an alumna, have traveled to the Dominican Republic during spring break to bring medical relief to people living in poverty.

All middle school students (grades 6-8) begin the school year with four-day, three-night excursions in New England.

The experience, now in its fourth decade, fosters teamwork, appropriate risktaking, and close interpersonal relationships.

New immersion experiences recently added to MB’s program include environmental science in Yellowstone National Park and adventure education in the Colorado Rockies.

Trips are also about engaging in the local community. Last year, fifth graders undertook conflict resolution training with the Institute for the Study & Practice of Nonviolence. The first children in Rhode Island to complete the course, they were recognized by Mayor Angel Taveras.

Nine MB teachers recently traveled to Israel and the West Bank to study the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the prospects for peace.

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MB TRIPs IS ...

... a significant travel experience for all upper school students, regardless of financial circumstances.

... technology to turn classrooms into virtual portals, capable of supporting global partnerships and bringing people from around the world to MB.

... a senior teaching and administrative position designed to support global curriculum development and travel, as well as MB’s service learning and community engagement efforts.

... the introduction of interdisciplinary and teamtaught courses such as Human Geography, Environmental Studies, Ethics, and Political Science/World Affairs.

... growing summer travel, research and service opportunities for students, such as those established by the Class of ’48 and Rob Owen ’71.

... an enhanced service learning program in our local communities and beyond.

... A SERIES OF TRAVEL EXPERIENCES, COURSES AND PROGRAMS THAT FOSTER CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND HELP STUDENTS EXPLORE CULTURES, LIFE EXPERIENCES AND WORLD VIEWS DIFFERENT FROM THEIR OWN.

... a maritime education program on Narragansett Bay.

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MB TRIPs WILL ...

... engage students with issues facing our community and our region, and the people and organizations working to improve them.

... foster the next generation of global and civically engaged citizens.

... instill confidence in students to navigate any situation anywhere in the world.

... create resilient and empathetic global citizens.

... empower students with skills necessary for navigating a flattened world and a new economy.

... enable students to gain perspective on their place in the world.

... inspire lives that seek fulfillment, meaning, and purpose.

... produce graduates who are proficient in a world language.

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We believe in learning through experience and in applying knowledge to solve real problems.

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Introducing the:

EXPERT THINKING MODEL “The world doesn’t care what you know.

What the world cares about is what you can do with what you know.”

— Tony Wagner

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INSPIRATION

Wiley Cerilli ’98 “Real-world problem solvers choose to aim high, to be fearless and relentless. They seek problems to solve that they think they are not capable of solving. Try to solve the big problems and you will make life happen; you will make a difference.”

Wiley is the founder of SinglePlatform, a company that helps small businesses make the most

Moses Brown runs deep in Wiley’s family, and in his

of their online presence. Formerly vice president for both ARAMARK and Seamless Web, Wiley

soul. He was a student from kindergarten through

launched his company in 2010 and was quickly recognized by Bloomberg Business as creator

grade 12, and his brother Justin '95, sister Anna '00

of one of America’s most promising new startups. He has been highlighted in FORBES magazine

and grandfather Samuel '41 attended MB as well.

and BUSINESS INSIDER, and was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in NY in 2011 and

Wiley was a state champion in wrestling and placed

Top 25 Tech CEO's in NY in 2012. In 2012, Wiley’s company was acquired by Constant Contact

sixth in nationals. Passionate about innovation,

for $100 million, and he continues to serve as v.p. / general manager. In addition to his

Wiley says, "I learned the creative skills necessary

business success, Wiley created a foundation and rode his bike 2,500 miles across the United

to build my company while at MB. The school shaped

States to raise money for cancer research. A true Expert Thinker, Wiley is always scanning for

me into the person, and the professional, that I am

new trends and opportunities, and is ready to apply his accumulated expertise and experience

today." Wiley received the MB Alumni Association's

to new situations. Quoting T.S. Eliot in his Commencement address, Wiley said, “Only those

2012 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award and, in

who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”

2013, he delivered the Commencement address.

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MB TODAY

“Our teachers know how to have fun and engage us. They give us opportunities to take risks, speak up, and work in groups - Madeline, Lower School where it is safe to try new things.”

Expert Thinking at MB Today From rocketry in the 1950s to Science Olympiad and Model UN today, students are learning through hands-on experience.

Today's students are exploring STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) in innovative ways, e.g., through Design Thinking and Engineering courses in the upper school, Robotics in middle school, and a lower school science curriculum that asks students to design and build prototypes of working toilets.

In a new, school-wide initiative called The MB Challenge, students are tackling local problems such as: What should we do with a 40-acre parcel of vacant land in downtown Providence? How can we reduce MB’s carbon footprint? What if we could redesign lower school recess?

All MB faculty are trained in the precepts and methodology of ProjectBased Learning, a teaching model that promotes team-based, creative problem-solving.

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THE EXPERT THINKING MODEL IS ... ... an expanded array of co-curricular activities such as Design Squad, Destination Imagination and Robotics.

... a sustained commitment to a wide array of experiential learning opportunities such as theatre, music and athletic competition.

... the systematic use of Project-Based Learning in all grades.

... an approach aligned with the College and Work Readiness Assessment, a new kind of standardized test that measures problem-solving and communication skills.

... the mastery of foundational academic knowledge and skills, and their application to realworld problems.

... an approach to teaching that fosters experimentation, crossdisciplinary learning, and increased collaboration across divisions.

... a children's engineering program for designing, making and tinkering with real-world challenges.

... A PROGRAM THAT FOSTERS CREATIVE THINKING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING. BACK TO HOME

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THE EXPERT THINKING MODEL WILL ...

... prepare students to lead in a world where creativity matters as much as raw knowledge.

... make students flexible, adaptive, and collaborative thinkers.

... capitalize on students’ natural curiosity and fascination for hands-on, real-world learning.

... bring MB to the forefront of a leading-edge international school reform movement, focused on creative learning pedagogies.

... generate resilient students who learn from setbacks and see failure as a necessary part of the learning process.

... challenge students to tackle essential and authentic problems.

... celebrate experimentation and exploration as core philosophies of the school.

... encourage learning through play, making and tinkering.

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PEOPLE BACK TO HOME

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An environment that is safe and Moses Brown purposefully seeks to form a community whose members represent the greatest variety of backgrounds and identities possible.

celebratory of difference allows We recognize that each person is uniquely characterized by overlapping identities, including: ability/disability, socioeconomic background, ethnicity, gender, language, race, religious preference and sexual orientation.

us to uphold the Quaker We are committed to the challenge of confronting issues of injustice, discrimination, and intolerance.

values of equality, community, Our curriculum delivers on these goals by fostering in our students self-awareness, an actively ethical mindset, a respect for difference, and a willingness to confront injustice and make positive contributions in the world.

peace and integrity.

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We believe in best minds engaging with broadest perspectives.

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Introducing:

OPEN ACCESS “Students see openness as a pervasive force; they are strongly oriented toward collaboration, — 2012 IBM Global Student Study creativity and innovation.”

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INSPIRATION

Stephanie Ogidan Preston ’97

Andrew Harding ’75

PROVIDENCE, R.I.; FORMER TRUSTEE & CLERK OF MB ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

CLEVELAND, OHIO; MANAGING DIRECTOR & CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER,

MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT

FIXED INCOME, PNC CAPITAL ADVISORS

“Education is the greatest of all equalizers.” This is the refrain Stephanie Ogidan Preston ’97 remembers

Can two years really change a life? For Andrew Harding ’75, the answer is a resounding yes. “I came to MB

her father repeating. “I know it sounds cliché but it wasn’t for me,” Stephanie recalls. “It was the fabric of

as a junior, wanting my life to take a different direction ... and it did,” Andy recalls. Growing up in Seekonk,

how my parents raised their children, telling us that good grades were the door to opportunity.” She tells a

where his father was head of the school board, Andy attended MB on scholarship. “At my previous school,

powerful story of the impact of her Moses Brown education and scholarship. “I think about ten kids from

we read two books a year in English. At MB, I was expected to read eight in one trimester. I learned quickly

three families on the same street I grew up on. Four of the boys from those families have been

that things were different here, and that I’d really have to work hard.” For Andy, these new expectations

incarcerated, three of the girls had children in their teens, and two others dropped out of college.”

were transformational: “MB unlocked my mind and my potential — it was a revelation to me.” Andy

Stephanie believes the thing that set her apart is education. And she certainly has taken full advantage of

immersed himself in all MB had to offer: he excelled academically, caught passes for Jerry Zeoli’s football

her opportunities. After MB, Stephanie went on to double-major at Duke University while working full-

squad and threw the shot for Doc Odell’s track team. His character and leadership led Andy to be elected

time. She became the youngest branch manager ever at Bank Rhode Island and then earned her MBA

Class President, a rare honor for a two-year member of the school. Andy’s life has been on an upward

from MIT. Stephanie has worked in senior management at Stop & Shop and was COO of a computer

trajectory ever since. After a post-graduate year at Andover, he attended Princeton and has gone on to

software company. Stephanie believes the impact of her education goes well beyond her own life: “I often

enjoy a highly successful career on Wall Street. Looking back on his days at MB, Andy feels that the school

think about the generational impact of scholarship. Imagine the world that is now available to my three

did more than prepare him academically. “There was a great deal of respect for the individual. We were all

daughters because their mother is a Moses Brown graduate.”

taught to treat each other with friendship and to appreciate our differences. MB prepares people for life.”

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MB TODAY

“Inclusive, good-quality education is a foundation for - Bishop Desmond Tutu dynamic and equitable societies.”

Open Access at MB Today During the recent recession, median income in Rhode Island fell at more than twice the national rate.

Unemployment in the state remains among the country’s highest.

Small class size and expansive program offerings — the main drivers of tuition — are expensive. Nationally, private school tuition constitutes 35% of median family income; ten years ago, it was 25%.

The number of MB applicants requesting scholarship aid has increased by 35% over six years.

MB has increased its scholarship budget by 50% over six years to $2.82 million. 24% of MB students now receive scholarship aid, compared to 15% six years ago.

118 students received scholarship aid in 2008-09, compared to 184 today.

MB was unable to enroll 50 of the most qualified students in a recent applicant pool. These students had $900,000 in total scholarship need that went unmet.

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OPEN ACCESS IS ... ... enhancing Moses Brown’s commitment to current-use scholarship fundraising.

... a way for many perspectives to contribute to critical discussions.

... a goal of increasing the annual scholarship budget by $1 million.

... historic growth in endowment dedicated to scholarship.

... the single largest investment MB envisions over the next five years.

... a recognition that the composition of a community has a direct correlation to the quality of learning.

... an essential ingredient for developing creative, collaborative and ethical leaders.

... A COMMITMENT TO CREATING THE MOST TALENTED, DIVERSE AND WELL-ROUNDED COMMUNITY POSSIBLE. BACK TO HOME

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OPEN ACCESS WILL ...

... increase the scholarship budget by at least 40%.

... provide 50 to 70 new scholarship awards per year.

... enable MB to retain present families who experience a sudden financial hardship.

... decrease MB’s tuition dependency, thereby enhancing the school’s long-term financial sustainability.

... give students access to new populations and perspectives.

... enrich and elevate the academic dialogue in the school.

...develop competencies and collaborative skills students need to participate and lead in an increasingly global and multicultural world.

... challenge best minds to engage with broadest perspectives.

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We believe in inspiring mentors who foster passion and curiosity.

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Introducing:

WORLD-CLASS TEACHING

“As teachers, we believe that learning is possible, that nothing can keep an open mind from seeking after knowledge and finding a way to know.”

— bell hooks

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INSPIRATION

Heather Tow-Yick ’94 “Tracking two million students over 20 years, researchers at Harvard and Columbia found that having an excellent teacher for just one year can boost a student’s college attendance and lifetime earnings measurably.”

The founding executive director of Teach for America — Rhode Island,

When she returned to speak at Commencement

and a fifth-generation resident in the state, Heather Tow-Yick has worked

in 2012, Heather described the importance of

in a variety of education reform positions, including as special assistant

asking the right questions and asked graduates

to former New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein. She is a former

to reflect on three: What are your strengths?

strategy consultant with the Bridgespan Group and a member of Teach

What do you care about? And what will your

for America’s 1998 New York corps. With a B.A. from Brown, M.B.A. from

legacy be? A former national champion in

M.I.T. and a master’s degree from Columbia University Teachers College,

collegiate sailing, and currently a member of

Heather knows about world-class teaching. Under her leadership,

MB’s Board of Trustees, she attributes her drive

Teach for America RI is pioneering innovative models for teacher

to live a purposeful life and her confidence to

training, practice, evaluation and professional development in an ongoing

achieve it to a foundation of rich educational

effort to support low-income communities and children.

experiences and the influence of great teachers.

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MB TODAY

World-wide

World-wise

World-class

ELIZABETH GRUMBACH, LS GRADE 4

ANTHONY PIRRUCCELLO-McCLELLAN, MS SCIENCE

JENNIFER STEWART, US HUMANITIES

It would be hard to imagine someone who wears more hats at MB than

“Ever since I was little I’ve been turning over rocks and looking over

Through deep scholarship and challenging lessons, Jennifer Stewart is

Elizabeth Grumbach. A veteran teacher and published author, she is a

the next hill to see what I could find,” says long-time middle school

encouraging a new generation of students to be ‘sensitive citizens’ of

parent of three MB students, co-clerk of the All-School Diversity

teacher Tony Pirruccello-McClellan. Tony considers it the primary

the world. Recipient of a Teacher Recognition Award from the

Committee, and a member of both the MB 2030 Forum and the Expert

responsibility of teachers to put students in an independent, active role as

Presidential Scholars Program, Jennifer helped launch MB’s new

Thinking leadership team. Elizabeth is in her sixth year at MB and speaks

learners. “I’m a big fan of ‘citizen science,’” Tony comments, “putting

Humanities Department and, as its first chair, has led the introduction

passionately about teaching: “I’m a teacher because I love the moment

ordinary folks in the role of collecting and analyzing data as part of real

of AP courses. “Each day, I feel fortunate to teach history at MB because

when a lightbulb goes off in the children’s heads and they discover

scientific exploration.” MB’s eighth grade independent science project and

it gives me the space to help students evaluate the moral questions

something new about themselves or the world.” A pioneer in MB’s

numerous Project-Based Learning activities are signature components of

raised by actions taken in the past,” Jennifer says. Under her tutelage,

adoption of Project-Based Learning, she is also dedicated to fostering

his work. Tony is also passionate about fostering creativity in kids, and

MB students are developing a vast body of knowledge about the past

global awareness through the lens of Quaker values and testimonies.

opening their eyes to new perspectives. An experienced traveler, Tony has

and the ability to view historical events from multiple perspectives.

Together with her colleagues in fourth grade, she recently developed a

led hiking trips in California, biking trips in Vermont and recently founded

Trained in political science, she approaches her work with a concern for

unique program of communication and cross-cultural exploration with

MB’s environmental science trip in Yellowstone National Park: “I’ve always

the enduring issues of conflict, power, and inequality: “I find history

young children at Quaker schools in Kenya. Says Elizabeth, who visited

been a traveler, and really believe in travel as a form of teaching. I love

exciting to study and teach because I am awed by the resilience of

the Kenyan buddies in 2012 (above): “I love creating experiences in the

when kids experience the awe of being in a totally different physical

ordinary people, and especially by how they deal with circumstances

classroom that allow students to stretch themselves as learners and as

setting, or seeing something totally unfamiliar.”

beyond their control. I teach history because I care about democratic

citizens of the world.”

society.”

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WORLDCLASS TEACHING IS ... ... a new series of senior-level electives focused on global themes and current events.

... MB’s innovative Cohort Model for veteran teacher evaluation and renewal.

... an endowed faculty leadership position in each academic discipline.

... a school-wide commitment to crossdisciplinary team-teaching.

... a robust, wide-ranging and broadly participatory hiring process, committed to attracting and retaining the best teachers.

... an excellent array of educational technology reinforced by effective teacher training and curricular development.

... MB teachers presenting frequently at national conferences, publishing their curricular innovations, and taking a leadership role in professional organizations.

... A RIGOROUS AND INNOVATIVE MODEL FOR SUPPORTING FACULTY, FROM HIRING TO EVALUATION AND ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. BACK TO HOME

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WORLDCLASS TEACHING WILL ...

... involve students in the construction of new knowledge.

... support teachers in their roles as advisors, coaches, mentors and friends.

... celebrate teachers who are recognized nationally as experts in new pedagogies.

... bring the most creative, imaginative and collaborative teachers to the community.

... provide both faculty and students with the technology and tools that promote effective teaching and learning.

... develop mentors who are analytical thinkers, expert collaborators and applied researchers.

... invite and challenge faculty to create their own pathways of professional development.

... promote the study of local and global issues through an ethical lens, creating advocates for change.

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PLACE BACK TO HOME

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“The best education allows students to learn from the physical and natural environment, as well as from their teachers and peers. We need to steward our historic campus, while also creating innovative new teaching and learning spaces.”

— Steve Tripp P ’19 ’24 Clerk, MB Buildings & Grounds Committee

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We believe in taking on challenges by collaborating, designing and solving.

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Introducing:

iLAB

Innovation Lab

“Creativity and innovation can be nurtured by learning environments that foster questioning, patience, openness to new ideas, high levels of trust, and learning from mistakes and failures.”

— Trilling & Fadel

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INSPIRATION

Brian Goldner P ’14 “Creativity, imagination and learning through play – these are critical themes whether you’re a branded play company or a school.

The key is to make space for collaboration, experimentation and prototyping. This is what we do at Hasbro every day.”

Under Brian Goldner’s leadership, Hasbro has been

As a member of MB’s Board of Trustees and the

transformed from a traditional game and toy company into a

2030 Forum, Brian’s leadership has been

leader in world-class family entertainment, including feature

instrumental in the development of the school’s

films, television, digital entertainment, publishing, consumer

strategic vision. “I immediately connected with the

goods, and much more. Brian has worked closely with major

themes Matt identified as essential to the school’s

Hollywood studios to bring some of Hasbro’s most popular

future,” says Brian. “At Hasbro, we strive to

brands to life on the big screen. He was executive producer

leverage our core historic strengths while also

on three blockbuster TRANSFORMERS movies and he also

challenging ourselves to innovate for the future.

produced two G.I. JOE films that saw tremendous global box

Matt has asked the MB community to do the same

office success. Brian is regularly mentioned among the

as it relates to the ever-changing educational

nation’s top CEOs; in 2008, MarketWatch.com named him

needs of present and future generations.”

CEO of the year.

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MB TODAY

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“Although you may not know what’s going to happen, the outcome of your decisions is entirely up to you. This I believe.”

- Gabby, Middle School

Design Thinking at MB Today A group of 25 faculty is pioneering MB's emphasis on Project-Based Learning and Design Thinking, initiatives that will find a welcome home in a new iLab.

After attending an innovative conference on ‘Constructing Modern Knowledge,’ Middle School Computer Science Teacher David Wasser is using programming and robotics to teach creativity, collaboration and problemsolving.

Academic Dean Laurie Center is devoting her 2013-2014 Olney Sabbatical to researching and creating a school-wide Children’s Engineering curriculum.

Head of School Matt Glendinning drew inspiration for MB’s iLab by visiting similar facilities at Harvard, MIT and RISD.

MB’s iLab and the programs it will hold are being created in partnership with lead designers from Stanford University’s renowned School of Design.

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iLAB IS ...

... a tinkerer’s studio supported both by leading-edge technology (e.g., 3D scanners and printers) and low-tech materials (e.g., sticky notes and glue guns).

... a “hacker” space, where it’s ok to fail, start again, make mistakes and make a mess.

... a method as much as a place, involving brainstorming, rapid prototyping and iterative experimentation.

... a home base for MB’s new Expert Thinking teaching model.

... a space that responds to and nurtures students’ natural curiosity and desire to explore.

... a place where students and faculty work in teams.

... an environment dedicated to creative problem-solving.

... A WORKSHOP FOR COLLABORATIVE, PROJECT-BASED EXPERIMENTATION FOR ALL DISCIPLINES IN ALL GRADE LEVELS. BACK TO HOME

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iLAB WILL ...

... host MB’s Design Thinking course, and others framed around essential, real-world problems.

... serve as a hub for the MB Challenge, a day of teambased problem-solving.

... be a destination for all grades, a “trip” to experimentation and creation.

... provide students novel ways to showcase and exhibit their learning in all disciplines.

... be an adaptable space that can evolve easily in response to teachers’ and students’ changing needs.

... allow MB to host conferences, workshops and training for teachers seeking expertise in Project-Based Learning, Design Thinking and Children’s Engineering.

... provide a venue for any group — students, teachers, administrators or parents — who would benefit from visual thinking, collaboration and brainstorming.

... support teachers in devising lessons with a ‘hands on, minds on’ approach.

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We believe in the wondrous experiences of young learners and the inspired spaces that propel them.

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Introducing:

YOUNG LEARNERS CENTER

“We need to think about creating classroom environments that give children the opportunity for wonder, mystery and discovery; an environment that speaks to young children’s inherent curiosity and innate yearning for exploration is a classroom where children are passionate about learning and love school.”

— Heard & McDonough BACK TO HOME

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INSPIRATION

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Trung Le “We are humbled to help shape the future of a school that is 230 years old. The creative blending of old and new – tradition and innovation – is a special feature of MB, and something we will honor in our work.”

Trung Le is passionate about helping schools better serve 21st century learners: “My goal is to create spaces that encourage inquiry, imagination and engagement with the world, and that are flexible enough to support the needs of students’ different learning styles and intelligences.” Over his 22-year career, Le’s philosophy has yielded awards from the American Institute of Architects, and has been featured in ARCHITECTURAL RECORD, CONTRACT DESIGN and EDUTOPIA. Le is a frequent speaker at national and international education and design conferences, and recently spoke at MB’s TEDx conference. Le and his team are already engaged in their work at MB. “We are immersing ourselves in the MB community so that we can understand its learning ecology and philosophy,” he says. “The insights we uncover will help us identify design drivers that will bring physical form to the school’s historic values and its aspirations for children today and into the future.”

Principal of The Third Teacher +, the education consultancy of Cannon Design in Chicago, world-renowned architect Trung Le will serve as MB’s lead architecture and design partner. Le collaborated on a groundbreaking book, THE THIRD TEACHER, a manifesto outlining 79 ways design can transform the teaching and learning environment. In developing plans for new spaces for MB’s young learners, Le will bring some of the nation’s leading thinkers to campus, including Louise and Ashley Cadwell (experts in elementary education and particularly the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood teaching) and Scott Doorley and Scott Witthoft (designers from Stanford’s School of Design).

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MB TODAY

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“I really love how our teachers encourage us to work independently and with our classmates. They guide us while we explore so many possibilities.”

- Brooke, Lower School Young Learners at MB Today Science teacher Carol Entin (shown), participating in MB’s Cohort Model of teacher growth, is bringing the study of electricity, engineering and the ‘maker’ movement to lower school students.

Kindergarten teacher Martha Handley used a grant to study the Reggio Emilia teaching philosophy at its home base in Italy.

Lower school students, frequently immersed in ProjectBased Learning, are solving problems such as: How can we build a better playground?

What would an interfaith center at MB look like? What if we could build a better habitat for our class hamster?

The lower school gathers as a community at least 40 times annually, but can’t fit easily into Shared Space.

After attending summer professional development, four lower school teachers trained the rest of MB’s faculty on MB’s Expert Thinking Model, a fusion of Project-Based Learning and Design Thinking.

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YOUNG LEARNERS CENTER IS ... ... an environment that fosters hands-on, experiential learning.

... new playgrounds emphasizing natural elements, play and discovery.

... a 13,000-square-foot addition of active learning space.

... a place to play, discover and learn.

... an integrated lower school program including new and connected spaces for science, art and technology.

... a community gathering space for the whole lower school.

... flexible and adaptable space for team teaching and interdisciplinary projects.

... AN ADDITION TO EXPAND AND ADD MULTI-PURPOSE COMMUNITY SPACE AND MUCH-NEEDED FACILITIES. BACK TO HOME

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YOUNG LEARNERS CENTER WILL ...

... honor the inner Light and innate potential of every child.

... attract new learners to MB and envelop them in a 21stcentury teaching environment.

... support students in learning to play, and playing to learn.

... allow children to express themselves freely and creatively.

... create social spaces for children, teachers and families to interact and celebrate.

... support the health, fitness and well-being of children.

... encourage curiosity, exploration and investigation.

... promote the asking and investigation of essential questions.

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We believe in coming together to learn, play, perform and celebrate.

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Introducing:

COMMUNITY & PERFORMANCE CENTER “School is primarily a social institution ... education, therefore, is a process of living.”

— Lella Gandini

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CHAMPION

Dean Woodman ’46 A five-generation legacy continues “It's really gratifying to think about my great-grandfather first introducing vocal and instrumental music to MB more than a century ago, and for me to be in a position now to help the school build a new community and performance center.”

Dean Woodman '46 is a self-described "lifelong learner" and

A member of MB’s class of 1946, Dean

voracious reader, traits he traces back to his days at Moses

Woodman is a Quaker and the great-

Brown. "My enduring passion for liberal arts education began

grandson of Augustine Jones (Head of MB

at MB and the school instilled in me a commitment to the

from 1879-1904). When Dean’s son Curtis

pursuit of excellence,” Dean says. Outside the classroom, he

also graduated from MB in 1978, an

was a great pitcher for the baseball team and a star runner on

unbroken family legacy at MB reached its

the track. After studying economics at Amherst, Dean served

fifth generation. Dean’s historic gift of $5

in the Naval Air Corps and had a distinguished career in

million will make possible the creation of

investment banking. While he brokered many significant

new community and performance space at

deals in his career, he didn't have to look far for perhaps his

Moses Brown, ensuring a transformational

most important one. He was an early backer and investor in

experience for future generations of MB

Woodman Labs and its signature product, the GoPro video

students.

camera, invented by his son Nick.

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MB TODAY

“There will never be a limit to the music I write as long as there is no limit to emotion. This I believe.”

- Emeline, Upper School

Community & Performance Space at MB Today MB’s main performance venue, Alumni

In 1995, there were six

MB students across the divisions

In recent years, MB has had to turn

Hall, was built in 1867 for a student body

students in MB’s first

exhibit and perform publicly more than

away guests from gatherings such

of 225. For nearly 150 years, it has

instrumental ensemble; today,

100 times annually, often in spaces that

as plays and senior Baccalaureate

supported a variety of events and

more than 200 MB students

are acoustically and spatially

due to lack of space in Alumni Hall.

activities, including plays, concerts,

play or sing in 17 different

challenging.

lectures and Commencement. Today’s

ensembles.

enrollment of close to 800 students drastically outstrips the capacity of this historic building.

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COMMUNITY & PERFORMANCE CENTER IS ...

... a place where students will gather, perform, exhibit, present, rehearse, act, dance, study, announce, graduate, and meet for worship.

... the single-largest facility project ever undertaken at Moses Brown School.

... a facility that can be set up for events of different sizes, with different stage/audience configurations.

... a place that fosters interconnection and encourages learning in both formal and informal ways.

... a hub of community life — academic, artistic, social and spiritual.

... a project to be designed by internationally renowned architect Trung Le of the Third Teacher + team at Cannon Design in Chicago.

... A FLEXIBLE AND MULTI-USE FACILITY FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.

... a unique summer performance space for regional theater/music groups.

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COMMUNITY & PERFORMANCE CENTER WILL ...

... instill in students a confidence for presenting, displaying, and defending their work in public.

... foster creativity, not only through theater and music, but through spontaneous, cross-divisional and cross-disciplinary interaction.

... create a new sense of home, pride and community by providing one place to meet, gather and celebrate.

... serve as a physical and symbolic nexus of the campus, connecting all three divisions.

... provide a flexible platform for students to design and arrange their own learning, performance and exhibition environments.

... allow for creative repurposing of Alumni Hall and its basement support space.

... emerge from a participatory design and development process led by globally recognized leaders in the field of education and architecture.

... come to symbolize and embody seminal, memorable moments in a student’s life at MB. BACK TO HOME

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LEADERSHIP

Habib Gorgi ’74 P ’08 ’10 ’12 ’17 “We are committed to educating a rising generation of leaders, and to shaping the future of learning, people and place at MB. This vision, developed and endorsed by the Board of Trustees, is a powerful plan for our future.”

Habib Gorgi is Clerk of the MB Board of Trustees and president & CEO of Nautic Capital Partners.

Habib was part of the search committee that brought Head of School Matt

Habib Gorgi came to Moses Brown as a student

Glendinning to Moses Brown in 2009. Says Habib, “Matt’s experience in Quaker

in 1970 and hasn’t left yet. A member of the

schools, his academic credentials and experience, and above all his passion for

Class of 1974, and now the father of three

great teaching and learning made him a perfect fit for MB.” Since then, Habib and

graduates and a current ninth grader, Habib has

Matt have led the school community through a rigorous, far-ranging and

served his alma mater in a variety of ways, most

innovative process of strategic planning that resulted in the creation of MB

recently as the clerk (chair) of the Board of

BELIEVES. With perspective developed by serving on a number of boards in the

Trustees for the past six years. In that role, he

business and non-profit sectors, Habib praises the volunteer leadership of MB’s

has overseen important facilities and program

Board for its dedication and for its wisdom in crafting a vision that honors the

enhancements and renewed the school’s

school’s 230-year past while also embracing the future. “The school is in good

commitment to the principles of Friends

hands,” says Habib, “and the impact of this new vision will be strong and

education. He has been a tireless champion and

immediate.”

steward for Moses Brown School.

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WE BELIEVE IN POSSIBILITY AND IN MB’S NEW VISION FOR THE FUTURE

For the Honor of Truth

MOSES BROWN SCHOOL