Seen Read Heard: April 2026

My latest reads include “Humanities and Humanity in an AI World: An Educator’s Manifesto” from R.E.A.L. Discussion, The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, and Your Next Inspiration: Ideas for Fundraising and Grantmaking by John Robinson. 

“Humanities and Humanity in an AI World: An Educator’s Manifesto” from R.E.A.L. Discussion. 
Gratitude to our Division Heads (Abby Abbott, Trey Blair, Stephen Blan) and Assistant Head of School for Student Services and Academics (Amy Witten) for educating us regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI). I am particularly appreciative of the “manifesto” that Mrs. Abbott shared with the team. 

In keeping with the theme of my quip above about how well educators share with one another, the REAL group brings together educators from across the country to address a variety of issues. The 20 educators who came together to wrestle with teaching (and learning) the humanities in the age of Artificial Intelligence did the best work of collected wisdom. This is a statement that comes from “[wrestling] with deeper philosophical and pedagogical questions about the purpose of humanities education in today’s world.” (2) They accomplished their goal of creating a “catalyst for the thoughtful, courageous conversation our world so desperately needs” on the topic of AI in education. (2) 

The group plants their flag on the importance of studying the likes of history, literature, religion and philosophy, saying, “[T]he purpose of humanities courses must be about being human: How can we design our courses so that students encounter their shared humanity, build connections with others, and strengthen the capacities that set people apart from machines”?” (3) They then dive into specifics on teaching reading, writing and discussion in the world of AI. 

This is the sort of work the best educators do. They do not teach from ancient notes. They move their teaching along to fit the needs of the students in their rooms. I am pleased with our team’s efforts to be those best educators. 

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
With so many books on my bedside table, not to mention the books not yet purchased or borrowed that are on lists I really want to read, I do not make a habit of rereading books, even favorites. As an adult, I have reread some childhood favorites like Alice in Wonderland and Watership Down. I loved them both from my middle school perspective and again as an adult. 

The Hobbit did not do as well for me as an adult. Maybe I should just be reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy for the first time. The characters are still endearing, but they were a little shallow to me this go round, and the plot was a little obvious. It almost feels sacrilegious to put that in writing, having remembered my original read so fondly. 

I am curious if others are re-readers. Part of my hesitation clearly has to do with being a slow reader. Maybe fast readers can reread without really taking a hit to their overall to-read list. Maybe some people just feel a book is so good that it will have even more to offer on a second, third or fourth read. 

Your Next Inspiration: Ideas for Fundraising and Grantmaking by John Robinson
Rarely do I get to read a book that someone I know wrote. Rarely do I get to know someone as genuinely kind-hearted and community-spirited as John Robinson. 

John was one of the first people I met when I came to Fort Worth. In his role as the Executive Vice President for the Amon G. Carter Foundation here in Fort Worth, John is a champion of exemplary nonprofits in the city. Well before I arrived at Fort Worth Country Day, the Carter Foundation had been making a profound difference in the trajectory of the School. The foundation, with John going to bat for us over and over again over decades, has funded headline projects (for example, the Middle School Expansion, which opened in 2012), as well as behind-the-scenes initiatives (for example, an engineering study to help us create the Bellaire/ Bryant Irvin entrance to the School; see the story on page 73). John has also been instrumental in helping me and, subsequently, FWCD, understand and stay in touch with philanthropic trends in Fort Worth. Wonderfully, John sees the Carter Foundation’s role as being a part of the tide that lifts all nonprofit ships in Fort Worth. FWCD is only one of many schools the foundation has supported and guided. 

In this book, true to form as a man on a mission to help, John shares hundreds of one-page stories of funding initiatives and ideas. The book is an incredible resource, tapping into the experiences of a man at the nexus of Fort Worth’s development over the past nearly 50 years. While I first skipped to the stories about Fort Worth Country Day, it is actually most helpful for me to read the stories of projects the Carter Foundation has done with Southwest Christian, All Saints’ Episcopal, and Trinity Valley Schools; First Tee; the Presbyterian Night Shelter; and so many more.

John not only collected his most impactful stories, but he also clearly spent a great deal of time honing the telling of the stories to make them very accessible. In the end, the book is a “how-to” from a master of philanthropic stewardship as well as an accounting of the incredible career of one of Fort Worth’s most important leaders.