History Department Participates in Curricular AuditHistory Department Participates in Curricular Aud

Teachers in the History Department welcomed four visiting educators to campus on April 13-15, for a review of FWCD’s history program. Chuck Taft (University School of Milwaukee), Connie López (The University School of Nashville), Carla Federman (Maryland Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School) and Kyle Mitschele (Rye Country Day School) spent time observing classes, meeting with students and faculty, and engaging with school leadership. Their visit will offer valuable insight as we continue to strengthen and elevate history education at FWCD.

Head of School Eric Lombardi brought the idea of curricular audits to FWCD from St. John’s in Houston, where he taught and later served as Middle School Division Head. St. John’s acquired the practice from Ravenscroft in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

Dr. Amy Witten, Assistant Head of School for Student Services and Academics, identified the Visiting Auditors. The group met online with Dr. Witten and History Department Chair Colin Douglas ’06 to plan for the visit, review audit-preparation materials, and identify topic areas where feedback would be most valuable. 

“I am so proud of the preparation the History Department did for this audit, said Dr. Witten. “Their hard work made it possible for the auditors to give the department thoughtful and impactful recommendations. It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with such strong educators who are willing to engage in self reflection and improvement.”

The auditors will now create a report for the School’s internal use. Their feedback will help the FWCD History Department reflect on best practices. The department’s work then begins where the auditors’ ends, as they use the audit feedback to plan for curricular alignment and programmatic change.

“We ask our students to be open to feedback and to see challenge as an opportunity to grow,” Douglas said. “This audit gave our department a chance to do the same, and I think that matters.”

This audit process shows FWCD’s dedication to continuous improvement, ensuring that students benefit from a thoughtful, engaging approach to history instruction and academic excellence.