Learning Commons Dedicated In Honor of Assistant Head For Academics Ken Didsbury

The Upper School Kirkwood Library was recently transformed into a state-of-the-art Learning Commons. The building, named in honor of Assistant Head For Academics Ken Didsbury, was dedicated on the morning of November 2.

Chief Development Officer Juan Carlos Fanjul ‘93 opened the ceremony by thanking those in attendance, as well as the anonymous donor who made the renovation possible. Fanjul said when he thinks of the re-imagined venue, he pictures a Google Office-like workspace where Benjamin students will become inspired with innovation and creativity to bolster what they are learning in the classroom. Visual Arts Department Chair Melissa Ford helped design the multi-purpose facility. The facility features interactive work spaces including a “glass bubble,” virtual reality lab and learning cafe. The bubble is a collaborative area where students can work on projects and brainstorm ideas by writing on the glass walls while the virtual reality lab uses cutting-edge software that presents lessons in an immersive 3D environment. The learning cafe is an area where students can grab coffee or a healthy snack in an informal setting.

Head of School Bob Goldberg thanked all of Didsbury’s friends and family in attendance, including former Head of School Peter Graham and his wife Jodi.

Pharcyde newspaper editor Robert Rubin said Mr. Didsbury’s reputation speaks for itself. Rubin said his eighth grade teachers advised him to get to know Mr. Didsbury during his time in high school.

“Little did I know that this would be the best advice I would ever receive,” said Rubin.

“Beyond showing the passion, dedication, and deep understanding of material that other exceptional teachers have, he truly cares about each one of his students and builds a relationship with us that is even more valuable than the material and skill sets that are learned from being a journalist,” said Rubin.

“Personally, I can say that the trajectory of my life has been changed by Mr. Didsbury.”






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A premier PK3 - Grade 12 independent, coeducational day school with campuses in North Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens. Since 1960, The Benjamin School has provided a challenging college preparatory education to a diverse student body in a structured, nurturing community environment.
 
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