Expanding Horizons: Four Educators’ Journeys of Curiosity and Growth

Every educator has a dream or a curiosity they hope to explore—but time, resources, and the day-to-day realities of life can make those dreams feel out of reach.

The Horizon Fund allows Park teachers to broaden their horizons—literally and figuratively—through experiences that challenge, inspire, and transform them, bringing new perspectives back to their students and the broader school community.

The endowed fund was established in 1986 by Ellen “Nel” P. Stoia, former parent and trustee, to provide faculty members with special opportunities for personal enrichment, travel, and professional development. One grant of $5,000 is awarded each year, and applicants are encouraged to propose unique experiences, trips, or projects in areas of deep professional or personal interest. For many years, the Fund was supplemented through the generosity of the Park Parents’ Association. Horizon Fund grants underwrite experiences that would not qualify for funding under our professional development guidelines, either in budget or in scope.

Finding the Magic in Motion

David Raabe, Math Teacher and Robotics Coach

For as long as he can remember, David Raabe has been fascinated by how things move. His grandfather, an engineer, spent countless hours tinkering with old army jeeps and fire trucks, and that early exposure planted the seed for David’s lifelong curiosity about mechanics. Years later, while teaching at a summer camp focused on design and invention, David rediscovered that spark through building simple, crank-powered automata with students.

That experience eventually led him to West Dean College of Arts and Conservation in West Sussex, England, where he spent a week in a castle surrounded by artists and makers from around the world. Supported by a Horizon Fund grant, David joined a small group of creators who spent their days in a workshop crafting whimsical moving sculptures from wood and reclaimed materials. His final project automaton featured a hand-whittled dog that chases and pounces on a ball—an idea that was years in the making.

“The whole experience was magical,” David says. “We were all so excited to be there, making things and talking about movement and design. It reminded me why I love creating—and teaching.”

Since returning to Park, David has woven what he learned into his robotics teaching, helping students design more complex machines and approach challenges with curiosity and confidence. “When something seems complicated,” he reflects, “I try to break it down into smaller pieces—and that’s what I encourage my students to do, too.”

For David, the Horizon Fund made a long-held dream a reality. “Everyone has that wish that feels just out of reach,” he says. “The Horizon Fund makes those wishes attainable—and that changes everything.”

A Summer Among Storytellers

Lauren Dennis, Grade 8 English Teacher

For Lauren Dennis, the inspiration to apply for a Horizon Fund grant grew from a longstanding desire to attend Middlebury’s Bread Loaf School of English, a program she had admired since her undergraduate years. “I was drawn to the immersive, experiential nature of the program, and had always wanted to learn and live in community with other English teachers—but the financial commitment had previously made it impossible,” she notes.

When she learned about the Horizon Fund, the opportunity to begin the program became a real possibility. The grant covered nearly half of her first-year tuition, making it feasible to take the leap and start the program.

Her summer at Bread Loaf was intellectually exciting and personally inspiring. In addition to two courses, she attended author talks, poetry readings, and pedagogy workshops, fully immersing herself in literature and writing. Surrounded by passionate English and humanities teachers, she constantly jotted down ideas for her own classroom, energized by the collaborative and stimulating environment.

A highlight of the summer was her Literary Theory and Criticism class, where she chose Romeo and Juliet—a text she teaches in eighth grade—as the focus of her study. “Engaging with the play through new critical lenses, including gender theory and structuralist theory, I discovered deeper layers of meaning that transformed my teaching,” she says. Back in her classroom, she redesigned the unit so her eighth graders could explore the play in similarly rich and meaningful ways.

Beyond the classroom, Bread Loaf offered a space to reflect on her own growth as a teacher and a learner. Immersed in a community of educators who share her passion for literature, she deepened her love of reading and writing while exploring topics she is personally drawn to. The experience strengthened her professional network and provided insight into high school expectations, enhancing her perspective on student preparedness and the work being done at Park.

Stories That Reflect Us

Ildulce Brandao-DaSilva, Assistant Lower Division Head

For Ildulce Brandao-DaSilva, the inspiration for her Horizon Fund proposal came from a long-held dream: to write a children’s book that reflects her life and culture. As an educator, reading aloud has always been one of her joys, but she often wished for books that spoke more directly to her identity and Cape Verdean heritage.

“I always said I would write a children’s book one day, but there was never time,” she reflected. With the support of the Horizon Fund, Dulce was finally able to bring her dream off the shelf. The grant allowed her to hire an illustrator, who is now bringing her completed story to life with images rich in personal detail, cultural symbols, and representation.

The process has been deeply influenced by her students, who often asked, “Have you written your book yet?” and even offered to edit for her. Their belief in her work reminded Dulce of the powerful environment at Park, where children grow up seeing themselves as writers, mathematicians, and creators—and where educators, too, are encouraged to pursue their passions.

“When kids believe what we tell them, it makes me believe in myself too,” she said.

Dulce anticipates her book will be complete this winter, but she already sees the ripple effects. She has made connections with local authors and publishers and discovered a community of Cape Verdean writers and readers eager for more representation. Most of all, she feels immense gratitude for the Park community, whose encouragement and the support of the Horizon Fund transformed a long-held dream into reality.

“This journey reminds me that a dream doesn’t have a deadline,” she said. “And when I share my story with students, they see that theirs matters too.”

Bridging Histories, Building Understanding

Bei Zhou, Upper Division Mandarin Teacher

For Bei Zhou, her Horizon Fund proposal grew from a deeply personal history and a lifelong curiosity. Her grandmother’s family was divided in 1949—some remaining in mainland China while others relocated to Taiwan following the establishment of the Republic of China. Though Bei had studied Taiwan’s history and society in college and heard stories from friends and community members, she had never been there herself.

“I’ve always wanted to experience firsthand the ways Taiwan and China are both connected and distinct—through food, traditions, politics, and the stories carried between generations,” she shared.

This journey, which Bei will take in December, holds special meaning for her work at Park. Many of her students speak Mandarin, and some have parents or grandparents from Taiwan. Immersing herself in the culture, learning from museums, and engaging in conversation across generations will, she hopes, deepen her empathy as both a teacher and an affinity leader.

“I want to ground myself in the narratives I’ve studied and heard, so that I can return with a deeper understanding and new insights to share with my students,” she said.

For Bei, the Horizon Fund opportunity represents more than professional development—it’s an opportunity to grow as a whole person. “When teachers have the chance to follow their passions, ask questions, and engage in new experiences, it shapes the way they teach,” she reflected. As she prepares for her travels, Bei looks forward to returning with stories and perspectives that will enrich her classroom and the Park community.

By Emma Hobart-Sheran, Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications

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