David Cutler

Teacher, Education Writer

Newton, Massachusetts

David Cutler teaches American history, government and journalism at Brimmer and May, an independent school in Chestnut Hill, Mass. He writes about education, politics, and teaching young people in an increasingly complex world. He can be reached at spincutler@gmail.com and on Twitter @SpinEdu.

David Cutler

Teacher, Education Writer

Newton, Massachusetts

Independent Spirit: David Cutler
History and Journalism Teacher Brimmer and May School Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts In the 2002 Brimmer and May yearbook, my fellow seniors designated me as the “most likely to return to my alma mater as a history teacher.” And they were right. My classroo
nais.org
High School History Doesn't Have to Be Boring
It’s not news that for over 100 years, history has been taught as little more than a callous exercise in regurgitation and rote memorization, with teachers rewarding how much information students can cram into their already stuffed heads. But as we go farther into the 21st century, with changes almost too numerous to fathom, I find it mindboggling that any teacher would still treat history class as boring preparation for a quiz show.
The Atlantic
How AI Can Enhance the Grading Process
After tucking my son into bed, I’m hit with the realization that since waking up at 6:00 a.m., I’ve not had a moment’s rest, nor have I managed more than brief exchanges with my wife. She’s deeply engrossed in grading sixth-grade math quizzes, a world awa
Edutopia
Trend Lines: Managing Tech Advances in the Age of ChatGPT
This article appeared as "Power Tool?" in the Summer 2023 issue of Independent School. As a newer teacher at Palmer Trinity School (FL) in 2010, I remember chatting with my then headmaster, Sean Murphy, about technology in the classroom. He gave me a copy
nais.org
Grappling With AI Writing Technologies in the Classroom
As a child of the 1990s, I recall arguing with teachers about why I should be allowed to use a calculator to do math and why, with the advent of personal computing, having to learn cursive should go the way of the abacus. “Get with the times,” I told my t
Edutopia
The New Teachers' Aides: Superman and Iron Man
As a journalism and history teacher at an independent school near Boston, I’m not too proud to admit that I use comic books in my classroom. When we cover World War II, my students analyze the inaugural March 1941 cover of Captain America by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, which shows super-soldier Steve Rogers deflecting an attack while knocking out Adolf Hitler.
The Atlantic
Artificial Shortcuts, Real Consequences: The Costs of AI “Humanizers” to Learning
Artificial Shortcuts, Real Consequences: The Costs of AI “Humanizers” to Learning David Cutler · Follow 5 min read · 19 hours ago -- Listen Share Cartoon created by DALL-E: Reprehensible companies like Phrasly.ai aggressively target students, promising to
Medium
The Atlantic’s Doom-and-Gloom Coverage of AI in Education
Can this once-prestigious magazine still command our trust?
Medium
'You Have to Know History to Actually Teach It'
It’s tough for a historian to earn the adoration of both academia and popular culture, but Eric Foner has managed to do it. His books on American history are assigned reading at universities and colleges across the country. Reviewers have praised his work as “monumental in scope” and declared that it “approaches brilliance.”.
The Atlantic
Fostering Students’ Academic Integrity
When I encounter academic dishonesty in my classroom, I experience a complex blend of emotions: disappointment, sadness, and a profound sense of collective responsibility. These situations prompt introspection, compelling me to question my effectiveness a
Edutopia
How to Organize Your Digital Classroom
In fall 2018, my school selected Canvas as our new learning management system (LMS). At that moment, I had no idea how fortuitous this decision would become. I did not initially design the LMS effectively and utilized it primarily for basic tasks such as
Edutopia
Zooming With Historians to Reinforce Student Learning
During the height of the pandemic, like countless other high school history teachers, I struggled to keep my students focused on their learning. When the world is in the grip of a once-in-a-century health crisis, it’s understandable that minds will wander
Edutopia
Teaching Why Facts Still Matter
“You may think you are prepared for a post-truth world, in which political appeals to emotion count for more than statements of verifiable fact,” writes Margaret Sullivan, media columnist for The Washington Post. “But now it’s time to cross another bridge—into a world without facts. Or, more precisely, where facts do not matter a whit.”.
Edutopia
Using Breakout Seminars in High School to Encourage Critical Thinking
As a high school American history teacher, I transitioned this fall to breakout seminars, departing from full-class discussions to embrace a format that fosters intimate and in-depth exploration of topics. This shift aims to facilitate a more interactive
Edutopia
How to Teach Students Ethical Decision-Making in Journalism Class
As adviser to The Gator, an online high school student newspaper, I’m deeply moved to see an ethos of ethical decision-making blossom in passionate young student journalists. They approach their critical work with a deep sensitivity to its potential conse
Edutopia
Teaching High School Journalism In The ‘Fake News’ Era
As a high school history and government teacher, I do my best to avoid feeding into partisan humor or offering unsolicited remarks about what politicians say and do. I want students to focus on the learning process, not on what I believe ― though, with this administration, I have grown more open to the idea of sharing my views when asked.
HufPost

About

David Cutler

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David Cutler is a dedicated independent school teacher at Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, where he teaches United States History,, United States Government, and Journalism. He also advises The Gator, the School's award-winning, online newspaper. Cutler is proud to act as a Teacher of the Future for the National Association of Independent Schools. Cutler attended Brandeis University as an undergraduate with a major in History and minors in Latin American Studies and Journalism. He holds an M.A. in Comparative History, also from Brandeis.