NMB Welcomes Denbrook As Learning Officer
The National Museum of Bermuda announced the appointment of Rajai Denbrook as its new Learning and Engagement Officer.
A spokesperson said, “He will be devising, developing, and delivering the Museum’s formal and informal learning activities and programmes serving a wide variety of audiences, including students, teachers, families and lifelong learners.”
Elena Strong, NMB executive director stated, “National Museum of Bermuda is a collective voice for and about Bermuda. We aim to make learning Bermuda history a part of everyone’s educational journey on island and to provide new entry points to engage with our shared past and heritage. We have sought out a dynamic Learning & Engagement Officer, Rajai Denbrook, to join our expert team of educators, including Lisa Howie and Kathy Kawaley, who are delivering and creating programmes to shift how history is shared and taught on island. This position is supported by The Future of History Campaign and an essential position to carry out our mandate.
“Rajai will first be focused on launching the Museum’s Learning Labs which are aimed at local students between the ages of 11 to 14. The Labs will be offered for free to all local schools thanks to sponsorship by Jardine Matheson Bermuda and take school fields trips to the next level! Students will be able to experiment with historical thinking, and engage with historical artifacts and documents with hands-on, enquiry-based activities that develop critical thinking skills, encourage seeing multiple perspectives and build empathy. Each Learning Lab is based on a theme and will link to the learning objectives and core learning competencies found within both public and private school systems.”
Mr Denbrook shared: “It’s a very exciting time to join the team as the Museum continues to develop itself as an essential education resource, a participatory community space, and a multifaceted hub for the open exploration of history, heritage and identity. I’m thrilled to be the newest member of such a high-class team and look forward to connecting with students, educators, museum visitors and the wider community. It is so important to know and understand our past and the forces that shaped Bermuda and the world we know today. Understanding the context in which we live allows us to better navigate the present, learn from the past and imagine better paths for the future.”
A spokesperson added, “Rajai Denbrook is a graduate of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama with a BA [Hons] in Drama, Applied Theatre, and Education. He has supported the development and facilitation of programming for numerous organisations, including the Department of Culture, CURB, the AH! Tempo Performing Arts Program, and Impact Mentoring Academy, and has held temporary teaching positions with the Bermuda Public School System.
“For the past year he has worked closely with the NMB team on their community project The Objects That Make Us that aims to preserve Bermuda’s history by collecting personal stories focused around family objects. It is a modern approach to oral history resulting in short digital videos that can be easily shared and can be powerful means to discuss and understand ourselves, our relationships, and our history.
“Rajai is also recognisable as a panel facilitator for various community conversations, a performer, presenter, and a social commentator on matters of education, race, equity, inclusion, and culture. His experiences and interests as an informal and formal education practitioner include, but are not limited to, socially engaged arts practice, folklife and storytelling, critical pedagogy, and 21st-century learning.
“NMB is open every day 10am–5pm [last admission 4pm]. Visit www.nmb.bm/visit for more information. NMB is a non-government, not-for-profit Bermuda Registered Charity No. 136.”
A very talented and creative student who will give his all and work as a team member. All the best to him. A good decision. Bermudians should be proud. An asset for the team he joins.