"Attaining a Global Perspective"
On May 3, Upper School language teacher and Director of Global Studies Andrew Poolman presented “Attaining a Global Perspective,” focused on how we can prepare boys to have a broader understanding of global dynamics.
As part of Poolman’s lecture, he explored writer and educator Robert Hanvey's article "An Attainable Global Perspective," in which Hanvey guides educators and students to consider their perspectives, explore the state of the planet, understand global dynamics, and, ultimately, make positive choices for this world.
Poolman argued how, in our increasingly interconnected world, it is becoming more essential to consider how we prepare our young people to be culturally aware. He shared examples from the Haverford student experience that help students attain a global perspective. Current students and Form II history teacher Kori Brown also contributed examples from their experiences.
About Andrew Poolman
Andrew Poolman attended Haverford College, where study abroad experiences in Málaga, Spain, and Santiago, Chile, solidified his interest in the Spanish language and Hispanic culture. Andrew graduated with a B.A. in Spanish in 2003 and wrote a thesis, “Soccer: A Space of political expression in Chile.” A year of working at the Country Day School – Guanacaste in Costa Rica as a boarding school intern and geometry teacher laid the groundwork for his career in education. Prior to being on The Haverford School faculty, Andrew worked at the Trinity-Pawling School in Pawling, N.Y., for three years, where he taught Spanish and coached soccer, squash, and golf. Between the academic years of 2006 to 2009, he spent four summers earning a master’s degree in Spanish from Middlebury College.
Since joining The Haverford School faculty in 2007, he has taught all levels of Upper School Spanish and enjoyed creating and developing a Spanish 5 elective course, “Cine del mundo hispano” (Film of the Hispanic World). In 2010, he was honored with the “Preparing Boys for Life Teaching Excellence Award,” and his lesson “Sports and Spanish” was published in the book 125 Years for the Boys: Best Practices from The Haverford School. In 2012, Andrew was appointed Haverford’s first Director of Global Studies. After its first few years of growth, the Global Studies program nowadays offers numerous opportunities for Haverford boys to travel domestically and internationally. Around 40% of boys participate in at least one travel program before they graduate. Most middle school boys take their first foray into academic travel in Puerto Rico, and all boys encounter global competency development across the curriculum.
Outside of the classroom, Andrew coached varsity squash for seven years, led his team to two Inter-Ac and MASA regional titles, and a 2nd place finish at the National High School Team Championships in 2016. He has also coached alongside coaches Kevin Tryon, Bill Brady, Dan Keefe, and Keith Cappo as part of the school’s successful soccer program.
About the Lecture Series
The Haverford School's Best for Boys speaker series invites the community to learn about topics and practices that help foster the social, emotional, and academic growth of young boys.
The events are free and open to the public.
Past Best for Boys Speakers
Tyler Casertano and Dr. Michael Reichert: The Emotional and Relational Lives of Boys
Brendan Dawson: Education and Personal Growth through Athletics
Nichole Pugliese and Mike McLeod: Executive Functioning: Boys’ Development and 21st Century Learning
Darren Hengst: Performing Arts—Empathy, Connection, Communication
Brendon Jobs: How to Be An Upstander
Dr. Pam Greenblatt: The Science Behind Successful Readers
John Urschel: Thinking Quantitatively
Dr. Michael Baime: Mindfulness and the Constricted Spirit
Paul Assaiante: Achieving Success Through Failure
Michael Reichert and Janet Heed: The Boy Behind the Mask
Laurie Bodine and Bill Brady: Lead Well, Be Well, Do Well
Dr. Jay Greytok: Boys to Men
Michael Reichert: Boyhood in the 21st Century