trevordayschool

Faculty Bulletins Faculty Retirements Jim Roche, Upper School Science Teacher and Advisor, gave a speech titled "AI in the Classroom" at the SITE Conference in Philadelphia over spring break. Jim discussed generative thinking and the pioneering way he is using AI in his classes at Trevor. The generative thinking approach makes AI a tool to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills. He strives not for AI literacy but AI mastery. The corresponding article, "Generative Thinking: A New Approach to AI in the Classroom" was also recently published. https://www.learntechlib.org/p/2129422/ RICK LANSDALE Middle School History Teacher and Advisor (2018–2026) Eight years ago, we were fortunate to hire Rick Lansdale to teach our 8th-grade history classes. During hiring season, I seek teachers with multiple academic strengths or interests that could form the basis for new and innovative MiniTerm courses, and we lucked out in so many ways with Rick. For his early years at Trevor, he taught medieval history; then, when we made major adjustments to the Middle School history curriculum, Rick gracefully pivoted and taught American history for the remainder of his time with us. Prior to joining Trevor, Rick's many years of teaching English meant that our 8th graders were receiving instruction in how to read and write well in history class, as well as in English class. This combined experience also made Rick the perfect person to fill the English & History Curriculum Coordinator position for the past four years. Rick's deep interest in architecture was also the foundation for one of our most popular MiniTerm courses, during which he guided students throughout the length of Manhattan, where they visited numerous buildings and noteworthy sites— including the Cloisters at the northern end of the city and Wall Street and Trinity Church at the southern end of the city, Grant's tomb on the Upper West Side, Museum Mile, the High Line, and seemingly everything in between. Rick is, no doubt, responsible for some of our students' fondest memories of their Middle School days. I am grateful that Rick spent the final eight years of his long teaching career at Trevor, and I will miss our regular and riveting conversations about history, current events, curriculum, pedagogy, and good books. I will also miss checking in with him each day about the Spelling Bee pangram. As I write this tribute, I am stumped and have not yet found a word that uses the letters E - H - U - I - D - C - P. Rick, please send me a hint! And more importantly, enjoy a well-deserved retirement. You will be missed on multiple levels. —Rebecca Damas, Middle School Director Annie Ahrens Travers, Assistant Director of Lower School Admissions, graduated from Bank Street Graduate School of Education on May 7, 2026 at The United Palace Theatre with a Masters of Science in Education for General Studies in Education. Bravo, Annie! Then, on June 20, 2026, Annie married Jack Travers on Fishers Island, NY. Congratulations, Annie and Jack! 8 / TREVOR MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025–26

• Cover