Hailing from New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment, Upper School history teacher Shane Gilbert has come a long way, and we are enchanted to have him. He is new to the Hilltop this year, teaching 6th Grade History, U.S. History, and helping coach the Upper School debate team.Prior to joining the Hackley faculty, Mr. Gilbert worked as a research assistant at Davidson College. He studied voter ID laws in North Carolina and whether they affected voter turnout with targeted groups.

Mr. Gilbert recalls his first interaction with Hackley students when he gave a lecture to Andy King’s history class last year. He specifically remembered that students came up to him later that day to continue the discussion. That’s when he knew Hackley was right for him.

“The students were really interested…for a teacher that’s really a dream come true,” he said.

He considers himself fortunate to be able to continue one of his high school passions in his professional career: debate. Mr. Gilbert did public forum debate for four years in high school, and was a captain of the Debate team both his junior and senior year. “I think the school is really trying to understand what role debate can have and I want to make debate something that helps further the school’s mission,” he said.

Mr. Gilbert believes debating helps students gain essential life skills. He finds debaters have learned to think critically and speak persuasively. He also feels they have an academic advantage from debate.

Mr. Gilbert notes the close correlation between debate and his history classes. “A thesis-driven essay — that’s essentially just an argument. I go over it all the time: how you build an argument, how you develop it and how you use evidence,” he commented.

Mr. Gilbert is looking forward to becoming enmeshed in the Hackley community. “Overall, the school prioritizes making sure the students become good people, rather than just a test score,” he said. With sentiments like this, he will fit right in.