Northrup Awarded Griswold Faculty Chair
Foxcroft Head of School Catherine S. McGehee awarded the Anna Greenway Griswold ’33 Faculty Chair, the oldest and most esteemed endowed chair at Foxcroft, to Alexander O. Northrup on Thursday, May 24 during the Awards Assembly that precedes Commencement.
Established in June 1989, the Griswold Chair is reserved for a faculty member “whose leadership transcends an academic discipline and strengthens the fiber of the school community.” It was previously held by Stephen L. Matthews, head librarian and master teacher who retired in 2016 after 39 years at Foxcroft.
Established in June 1989, the Griswold Chair is reserved for a faculty member “whose leadership transcends an academic discipline and strengthens the fiber of the school community.” It was previously held by Stephen L. Matthews, head librarian and master teacher who retired in 2016 after 39 years at Foxcroft.
During his 20 years at Foxcroft, Northrup has held a variety of positions, ranging from webmaster and associate librarian to Academic Dean and English Department Chair. He has taught Spanish, English, and History, coached soccer and basketball, advised student clubs, and, since 2017, served as the “Foxy Fellow,” a faculty advisor to Foxcroft’s oldest and most beloved tradition, Fox/Hound.
In his current roles as Director of Educational Technology and History Department Chair, Northrup teaches students U.S. History and Advanced Placement Human Geography, and assists teachers and staff in implementing a variety of technological tools which enhance the classroom experience. He also shepherded a group of students in researching, designing, budgeting, and building the School’s first makerspace, The Innovation Lab at Foxcroft.
“The Innovation Lab itself exemplifies Alex’s philosophy of education and his pedagogy,” said McGehee. “Throughout the process, he led as a guide on the side, not a sage on the stage, so that the students truly owned their learning. It is an exceptional example of student-centered education, and The Innovation Lab now serves as the heart of interdisciplinary projects at Foxcroft for all academic disciplines.”
A true scholar, Northrup holds a bachelor’s degree from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown and two master’s degrees — one in Library Science from Catholic University and one in Education from the Klingenstein Center at Teachers College, Columbia University.
“This teacher’s thirst for knowledge and his continuous professional growth reveal his genuine interest in learning across disciplines,” said McGehee. Northrup has been the recipient of two National Endowment for the Humanities grants, one from the National Science Foundation, and a fellowship with the Stratford Hall Summer Institute. He is one of just 15 teachers selected for a six-month workshop on school desegregation funded by the Library of Congress, and will attend the Washington International School Summer Institute for Teachers led by faculty from Harvard University’s Project Zero.
A frequent presenter at national conferences, Alex was a member of the committee charged with developing an Advanced Placement course in Geospatial Information Science (GIS) and Technology, which he integrated into his AP Human Geography course.
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In his current roles as Director of Educational Technology and History Department Chair, Northrup teaches students U.S. History and Advanced Placement Human Geography, and assists teachers and staff in implementing a variety of technological tools which enhance the classroom experience. He also shepherded a group of students in researching, designing, budgeting, and building the School’s first makerspace, The Innovation Lab at Foxcroft.
“The Innovation Lab itself exemplifies Alex’s philosophy of education and his pedagogy,” said McGehee. “Throughout the process, he led as a guide on the side, not a sage on the stage, so that the students truly owned their learning. It is an exceptional example of student-centered education, and The Innovation Lab now serves as the heart of interdisciplinary projects at Foxcroft for all academic disciplines.”
A true scholar, Northrup holds a bachelor’s degree from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown and two master’s degrees — one in Library Science from Catholic University and one in Education from the Klingenstein Center at Teachers College, Columbia University.
“This teacher’s thirst for knowledge and his continuous professional growth reveal his genuine interest in learning across disciplines,” said McGehee. Northrup has been the recipient of two National Endowment for the Humanities grants, one from the National Science Foundation, and a fellowship with the Stratford Hall Summer Institute. He is one of just 15 teachers selected for a six-month workshop on school desegregation funded by the Library of Congress, and will attend the Washington International School Summer Institute for Teachers led by faculty from Harvard University’s Project Zero.
A frequent presenter at national conferences, Alex was a member of the committee charged with developing an Advanced Placement course in Geospatial Information Science (GIS) and Technology, which he integrated into his AP Human Geography course.
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An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.
