For Jack Dwiggins, the elements of exploration and discovery is what drives him. On his original career path to becoming a federal judge, he took a detour and decided to study history as a way to prepare for law school. But along the way, Jack unearthed a passion for the subject matter.

“I loved going into libraries and digging into old books and papers to discover clues about how people thought and lived in past times,” he said.

In his first full year as a history instructor at Westover, Jack is helping students discover their own historical wonder.

“I love working with students to help them investigate the past on their own terms,” he said.

Originally from Ohio, Jack is a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and received his PhD in History at the University of Pennsylvania. Since the Fall of 2020, he’s been a member of the Westover community working in the history department. He said because of his background in a PhD program, his teaching is informed by a belief that history should be about independent investigation and discovery, and learning history is about asking questions and participating in a never-ending cycle of questioning, researching, and re-thinking what we thought we knew. 

“My main goal is that students become active participants in this process and pursue their own interests, making their study of the past meaningful to them,” he said. 

Prior to Westover, he worked at an all-girls school in Pennsylvania and understands the community aspect and appreciation of school history.

“When I had to leave Pennsylvania, I knew I wanted to stay in that kind of environment, which is why I was excited about Westover,” he said.

Starting a new job during unprecedented times, Jack said the historical time frame has shifted his teaching style --- one he describes as reliant on group work, collaboration, discussion and one-on-one mentorship. The virtual and social-distancing requirements have been a challenge, but one he’s ultimately embraced.

“There have been so many events in the past year - the pandemic, the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and the ensuing protests, the election and the storming of the Capitol building - that have been hard to understand and sometimes hard to process,” he said. “A history classroom, though, is an ideal place to gain some perspective on these difficult events. One thing I’ve learned to do more is to let go of my lesson plans and just use the class time as a space for students to ask questions and discuss what’s happening.”

This past fall term he taught a history elective called “Democracy in America” in conjunction with it being an Election year and interest in the subject matter. He said the course “critically re-examined the legacy of the American Revolution.”

“It was fascinating to be talking with the students about the original intentions behind the system of government we have and how closely our system of government matches a democratic ideal,” Jack said.

This spring, Jack has a full course load, teaching freshmen Global Studies, sophomore Surveys of Modern World and U.S. History and two electives. He said with the elective course, he’s been able to pursue some more creative approaches to the subject matters.

“In my elective on the 1920s and 1930s this spring, I designed a game that is a simulation of the 1920s economy,” he said. “Over the course of several weeks students are playing as 1920s consumers trying to decide what to do with their money, and we’re trying to see if we can avoid something like the Great Depression happening.”

Outside of Westover, Jack and his wife, who works at the University of Connecticut, reside in Willimantic. Beside teaching A passion for music and old movies -- he’s thinking about preparing a film history elective down the road.

So far though, Jack said he’s loving being a part of Westover’s strong community and values what Westover stands for.

“I’ve always been interested in creating a supportive environment where young women can learn and develop their viewpoints,” he said.  “‘Leading lives of consequence’ is also something I value. High school students face so much pressure to only focus on what will get them into ‘prestigious’ colleges and then choose fields of study based on what will lead to the most lucrative career rather than the most fulfilling life. I love how at Westover we try to steer them in other directions and keep a strong focus on citizenship and character.”