Explore

Community Engagement and Inclusion

In order to realize the goals of our Mission and Vision, Ensworth must actively strive to be a diverse and inclusive community of learners that engages collectively In Search of Truth. The presence of different perspectives and life experiences plays a vital role in the development of our students, enhancing classroom and extracurricular experiences in meaningful ways. As a school, we are committed to cultivating an environment in which all members of the Ensworth community experience a true sense of belonging and are empowered to be active participants in the life of the school. These efforts are essential if we are to foster the growth of all students in line with their potential, and to equip them for lives of purpose that extend far beyond their time at Ensworth.

Ensworth at a Glance

Community Engagement & Inclusion Team

List of 3 members.

David Whitfield

Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion; English, History and Seminar Teacher-HS

Bio
David Whitfield was appointed as Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion in 2020. He joined the Ensworth community in 2006, and since that time, he has been the Seminar Department Chair and has taught in both the History and English departments. Prior to that, he spent 12 years at MBA in a variety of roles: history teacher, Director of Counseling Services, Head of Model UN, and Head of the Advisory Program. Thirty years ago, Whitfield co-founded and became Executive Director of Time to Rise Inc., which provides summer camps for at-risk youth that offer academic and enrichment opportunities along with a character education initiative. In 2009, he established the Kids Academy program, where he trains high school students to be teachers and counselors directing summer camps for younger students from rural areas. Most recently, David developed Tearing Down the Walls, a race and leadership conference for independent school students in the Southeast that affords students from diverse racial and socio-economic backgrounds the opportunity to become leaders in the arena of race relations and inclusion. Whitfield has his B.A. in History from Tennessee State University, his M.A in Social Science from the University of Chicago, and his MALS from Vanderbilt University. David and his wife April have one child, Coltrane, age 4.
Hope Moeller

Grade 2 Teacher-LS

Bio
Hope Moeller received her B.A. from Kenyon College as a Drama Major and Gender Studies Minor and her M.S. Ed. in Elementary Education at Bank Street College. She has worked in private and public schools in New York, Iowa, Connecticut, and Tennessee as a classroom teacher, a Title 1 tutor, a Braille Literacy Aid, and theater director. She is currently teaching second grade at Ensworth and serving as the Lower School Coordinator of Community Engagement.
Maurice Hopkins

History Teacher; Associate Director of Athletics; Community & Inclusion; Coach-MS

Bio
Maurice Hopkins is currently in his 10th year of teaching in the history department, coaching football/basketball, and being a 7th-grade advisor at Ensworth's Middle School. In addition to his school responsibilities, Maurice is also the Executive Director of Give and Go Inc., The Program Director for Time to Rise, Inc., and Program Coordinator for Tearing Down the Walls. Mr. Hopkins is a proud graduate of Metro Nashville Public Schools and Fisk University, where he met his wife Jasmin. He has taken additional master's coursework at Tennessee State University and is currently in pursuit of an M.Ed. from Vanderbilt University. Maurice has served the community of Nashville in a variety of capacities over the past 20 years and looks forward to having the opportunity to work more in-depth with the broader Ensworth community in the near future.

Community Engagement & Inclusion News

List of 20 news stories.

Rashed Fakhruddin '83

Rashed Fakhruddin '83 came to campus in March to shed light on the essence of Ramadan, dispelling myths and discussing the pillars that are the cornerstones of the faith.
Civil Discourse Discussions with Elisabeth Hasselbeck

Welcome to the conversation. How do we maintain civility while holding to our individual values as we discuss education, political, religious, and social topics?
Dr. Richard Thigpen Speaks on Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. is a name that has become synonymous with words such as dream, social justice, nonviolence, and civil disobedience. Still, words can only retain their meaning if they are put into context. This week, Ensworth parent Dr. Richard Thigpen shared context through his experience living in Chicago and about Martin Luther King Jr.'s influence on his life.
Alumni Return to Celebrate Women's History at Red Gables

Ensworth welcomed Ashley (Brown) Howell '90 and Esther Okai Tetteh '21 to Red Gables Campus for the Lower School/Middle School Women’s History Month assembly on March 9, 2023.
A Snapshot of Japanese American History in WWII

Grade 6 students had the opportunity to welcome parent Jessica Baba to discuss her family’s story.
Diversity in the Arts

Diversity in the Arts III - Arts and Community Coming Together!
Black History Month 2023

Although Black history is always knit into the fabric of our curriculum, February offers the opportunity to hone in on our focus. In February 2023, Ensworth welcomed the Fisk Stagecrafters, Coach Kenny Anderson, Bishop Joseph W. Walker III, Dwight Lewis, Ro Coleman, and Dr. Brittany Mosby.
America’s Favorite Pastime and Black History

Baseball has often been considered “America’s Favorite Pastime.” The traditions, pageantry, and excitement of the game have been a source of entertainment for fans of all ages for well over 100 years. On February 16, 2023, as a part of the ongoing education at Ensworth surrounding Black history, students on Red Gables Campus learned the history of the Negro Leagues and the opportunity it provided African-American ballplayers throughout the country and especially here in Nashville.
Celebrating the Life of MLK

"The time is always right to do what is right." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Last Friday, students celebrated and honored the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Grade 8 students led Lower and Middle School students through Dr. King's life and the final events leading up to his assassination.
Hispanic Heritage Month - Red Gables

The heritage of Latinx and Hispanic people is studied in Spanish classes from Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade, so it is a joy to be able to gather in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month to continue the study and bring exposure to students who may not be studying Spanish at this time. Lower School and Middle School students presented songs and highlighted some prominent figures on the Red Gables Campus.
Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month - Frist Campus

Music. Art. Family. Friends. High School students had the chance to hear from Heysel De Aquino and Alejandro Riviera as a part of their study of Hispanic Heritage Month. Alejandro and Heyzel shared their Hispanic roots through their family stories and heritage. They also offered local restaurants for students to visit to immerse themselves in Latino culture.
Tuskegee Airman Gets 100th Birthday Cards from Grade 3

Retired Sgt. Victor W. Butler, one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen, is turning 100. After a long life, he feels grateful for what he has and says he does not need any presents, just birthday cards. The May and Royse classes granted him his wish.
Women's History Celebrated in K–12

The focus on the study of women’s lives, experiences, passions, successes, and dreams is not limited to March, although it offers an opportunity to set our gaze on such efforts.
Ensworth Celebrates Black History

“If not us, then who, if not now, then when?”
— John Lewis (U.S. Congressman and Former student at Nashville’s Fisk University & American Baptist College)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebrations

Across both campuses, students, faculty, and staff commemorated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Students reflected on his life through various activities throughout the week.
TSU Professor Shares Light of Kwanzaa

Dr. Terrance McNeil, an assistant professor and coordinator of the M.E.d in Instructional Leadership program at Tennessee State University’s College of Education, shared about Kwanzaa on the Frist Campus this week.
Both Campuses Celebrate Native American Indian Heritage Month

All Ensworth students across K-12 received a lively education into Native American history and culture during the month of November.
Meet the Community Engagement and Inclusion Team

We sat down with Ensworth’s Office of Community Engagement and Inclusion team members to learn more about the expansion of the Department to include two new faculty.
Red Gables Campus Kicks Off Hispanic Heritage Month

Students across grades and disciplines have kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15–October 15, on the Red Gables Campus.
Race Talk with Two Parents: Clark Akers

The Parent Association sat down with two parents to talk about race. This interview was with Clark Akers, Father of Clark ’21 and Sterling (a senior in college).