Dr. Amy Alsip, Head of Upper School

​

 

Upper School Families, 

It’s been a great week in the Upper School. Huge shout outs to our Spring Musical performers and our Fine Arts Faculty for putting on such a spectacular show last weekend. String was emotional, intelligent and creative! Way to go!

Our Spring Sports are in full swing! Be sure to check the school calendar to catch some of our upcoming events and come support our US Owl Student Athletes.

AI in RL - US Colloquium, April 2

 

On Thursday, April 2 we will host the 13th Annual DFW Interscholastic Colloquium: AI IRL (artificial intelligence in real life). The colloquium has traditionally been a paper conference where students from independent schools around the Metroplex present their ideas on a common literary text. This year, however, students were given a list of dystopian, science fiction, and nonfiction texts on which they could base papers or artwork.

We are so excited about the submissions we have seen, which showcase our students’ talent as thinkers, readers, and writers. Our students have shown us how vital creativity and communication is in the age of AI, a time when it’s so tempting to take shortcuts out of the fruitful struggle that creation provides. 

On the day of the colloquium, our Upper School students will be engaging in an enriching academic experience on our campus. Students from other independent schools across the metroplex will join us Thursday for a day celebrating student choice and voice. The day will be facilitated by our US students, providing leadership opportunities outside of the classroom that cannot be replaced.

We encourage you to discuss this opportunity with your kids so they understand the value of hearing ideas exchanged between their peers during the conference. By asking questions and engaging with differing perspectives, our students will have a preview into the rich intellectual exchange they’ll encounter at the collegiate level. Please encourage them to maximize this opportunity as a truly college preparatory experience.

Panelist Info

Dr. Bryan Carter is a community leader, connector, thought leader, pastor, and communicator. He has served as the pastor of Concord Church in Dallas since 2003. He currently serves on the boards of Frost Bank Dallas Advisory Board, Mayor’s Star Council, Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) International, and Family Life Ministries. He also serves as board chair for Harmony Community Development Corporation. He also leads the African American Pastors Coalition and co-leads Dallas Clergy, a fellowship of Dallas churches.

Margaret Winchell is the Director of Choral Activities at SMU Meadows School of the Arts, where she conducts the Chamber Singers and Concordia. She also teaches graduate courses in choral conducting and literature. Winchell is in the post-residential phase of the D.M.A. in Choral Conducting at the Yale School of Music, where she sang with several acclaimed choirs including Yale Camerata and Schola Cantorum. During her time at Yale, she mentored young conductors in the Yale Undergraduate Chamber Choir and served as the first student conductor of the Schola Cantorum, preparing the choir for performances under David Hill and Masaaki Suzuki. She received the Robert Shaw Prize for excellence in choral conducting and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music’s Faculty Prize.

Dr. Curby Alexander is an Associate Professor of Professional Practice in the TCU College of Education. He teaches courses on the foundations of education, instructional methods, digital communication and collaboration, and experiential education. His current scholarship is focused on K-12 technology integration, cybersecurity education and workforce development, and geospatial education. 

Maddie Bradshaw has helped oversee the development and implementation of project-based AI programs and projects at Inspirit AI. She interacts with students and families as both an instructor and a program advisor. Before joining the team, Maddie was a computer science and STEM teacher at a K12 independent school in Los Angeles. She is passionate about STEM education, project-based learning, and teaching. Previously, she received a Master's in Education from Harvard University and a Bachelor's in Science, Technology, and Society from Stanford University. 

Have a great weekend!

All my best,

Dr. Amy Alsip
Head of Upper School