Our First Rowland Dinner with Former Fellows Carrie Gilman and Luke Foley

Last night marked something truly special—our very first Rowland Dinner, an evening designed around gratitude, reflection, and shared wisdom. Jonah Ibson and I had the pleasure of dining with two extraordinary former Rowland Fellows, Carrie Gilman and Luke Foley, whose presence, insight, and generosity of spirit set the tone for what we hope becomes a long and meaningful tradition.

The idea behind Rowland Dinners is simple but profound: to create a reciprocal relationship between current and former Rowland Fellows. We invite remarkable educators to dinner—people whose experience and reflection have been shaped by the Rowland journey—and in exchange, we receive their hard-earned wisdom. They share what they’ve learned through success and struggle alike: what they now know that they once didn’t, what they wish they had understood sooner, and what continues to guide their work in education and in life.

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An Evening at Scrag & Rowe

We gathered at Scrag & Rowe in beautiful Waitsfield, Vermont—a restaurant whose story is as thoughtful as its food. The owner, who spent years traveling across China, brought back the flavors and regional dishes that inspired him. He shared his journey with us between courses, and we were so taken by the menu that it was hard not to order everything on the menu. 

The tuna tataki was clean and balanced, the chicken bang bang full of flavor, and the pork belly—whose name escapes me—was the undisputed winner of the night. But as memorable as the food was, it was the conversation that nourished us most deeply.

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Wisdom Worth Savoring

Luke and Carrie reminded us that the Rowland experience is a rare gift, perhaps the greatest one a teacher can receive. They spoke of the importance of stepping away—from the classroom, from the everyday pressures, even from our families and colleagues at times—to make space for solitude, reflection, and growth. That time apart, they said, is where we rediscover our purpose and reimagine our role in this essential profession.

We talked about travel—about how seeing the world through another culture’s lens can expand not just our perspective on education, but on what it means to live fully and curiously. We discussed the need to invest in others, to find the “doers”—the educators with the energy, courage, and will to make change—and to give them both the encouragement and the space they need to lead.

We were reminded, too, that the first year of the Fellowship is fleeting. It passes quickly, but it’s a year to be savored. Luke and Carrie encouraged us to treat it as the extraordinary opportunity it is—to reflect, to listen far more than we speak, to travel, and to take advantage of every moment to grow both as educators and as people.

Finally, they reminded us that being a Rowland Fellow isn’t only about personal growth—it’s about becoming a mentor, a leader, and eventually an elder in this ever-evolving community of teachers. It’s about finding ways to give back by creating time, space, and opportunity for others to do the same.

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Carrying It Forward

As Jonah and I left the restaurant, we felt a deep sense of gratitude—not just for the incredible meal, but for the shared wisdom and the reaffirmation of what this work means.

Thank you, Carrie and Luke, for your time, your honesty, and your generosity of spirit. Your guidance helped us see more clearly what it means to be part of the Rowland community—not just as Fellows, but as stewards of an enduring and evolving mission.

We left with full stomachs, fuller hearts, and a renewed commitment to listen deeply, invest in others, and honor the gift we’ve been given.

Here’s to many more Rowland Dinners ahead—and to continuing this beautiful exchange of food, fellowship, and wisdom.