Douglas Brophy, GRD’06

“We moved to distance/online learning last spring, but opened this school year live in the building, physically distanced, with a remote option that about 7 percent of our students are engaging,” says Douglas Brophy, GRD’06, head of school at The Town School. “We are continuing to monitor the virus’s trajectory closely and carefully, and would revert back to full distance learning if needed. Since June, we have held online listening sessions for all constituents: students, faculty and staff, parents, and alumni/ae. The sessions use protocols, through a series of prompts, encouraging participants to share experiences and perspectives on racial/racist experiences both in and out of our school. We have been anonymously recording the feedback, which will inform our ongoing work around equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. Although these sessions have been led by colleagues of color, I always am present. And I always acknowledge that while my whiteness and privilege have allowed me not to experience such heartache, it remains my obligation to use my power and privilege to do all that I can to see that it stops. When we moved to online education last spring, we learned that we need to change three things: include more virtual live experiences, so students could interact with one another and their teachers more frequently; create more small-group experiences, allowing for more participation; and have the days mirror as much as possible a typical school day, thereby creating a familiar structure. We have benefited from regular communication with and from all constituents. This openness has fostered more clarity and a greater sense of community. Acknowledging and normalizing emotions has been essential to process all that has been happening and to stay focused. I am especially benefiting from sharing with and listening to peer heads at independent schools across the country.”