Leadership and Learning
"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."
---John F. Kennedy
This past Friday offered us a chance to stop, breathe a bit, and enjoy some wonderful discussions, particularly as we begin our Self-Study process, and prepare for our FCIS accreditation visit next Fall, 2019. As we engage in these conversations and examine our "State of the School", so to speak, I am incredibly eager to build upon our good work since our last accreditation visit upon my arrival, in the Fall of 2014.
As I gathered my thoughts over the weekend, I found myself asking more questions. Needless to say, as our good friend, dear colleague, and devoted Board member, Harvey Sperling tells us, the questions are the key, and asking the right question is the real challenge.
---John F. Kennedy
This past Friday offered us a chance to stop, breathe a bit, and enjoy some wonderful discussions, particularly as we begin our Self-Study process, and prepare for our FCIS accreditation visit next Fall, 2019. As we engage in these conversations and examine our "State of the School", so to speak, I am incredibly eager to build upon our good work since our last accreditation visit upon my arrival, in the Fall of 2014.
As I gathered my thoughts over the weekend, I found myself asking more questions. Needless to say, as our good friend, dear colleague, and devoted Board member, Harvey Sperling tells us, the questions are the key, and asking the right question is the real challenge.
In our daily work here at Palmer Trinity School, we wrestle constantly with this idea of questioning and trying to improve our daily life as a School Community. And while we don't have all the answers and polished responses yet, I believe that this Self Study work is critical to our overall self-improvement. In our desire to create an atmosphere of constant curiosity, we must continually work to expand our minds, be open to new perspectives, and engage in meaningful dialogue. A sampling of some of the questions that persist for me currently include, and are certainly not limited to, the following thoughts:
Will the ancient model of school evolve from an agrarian one to one in which school is held ‘year round? Will technology play an even greater role, ultimately leading to the absence of books, pen, and paper?
Will students spend more time out of the traditional classroom setting, working even more in teams and in the “real world”?
Will there be a need for an actual physical space in which students gather each day?
What will the “modern” schoolhouse actually look like, and what will it cost?
How will our Faculty adapt to such changes, and how can we be part of a proactive shift?
What does the long-term financial model for our School look like? How do we build a truly sustainable financial model, in light of external pressures, and changes in the economy/marketplace?
How do we recruit and retain the very best Mission-appropriate families?
How do we recruit, retain, and develop the very best, Mission-appropriate Faculty and Staff?
How do we model our 9 Guiding Principles: Spirituality, Learning, Dedication, Community, Service, Honor, Respect, Diversity, and Balance? What do these ideals look like in practice and in our current world?
What does it really mean to be an Episcopal School and how do we pay particular attention to building a healthy community?
How does our School reflect South Florida and its growing international population?
How can I be better in my own daily work and provide the necessary support, encouragement, and leadership for our Faculty and Staff?
How do I balance the challenges of my personal and professional life? How can I be the best version of myself?
And maybe the toughest question of all:
Are we staying true to our stated Mission? How do we prepare our students fully--in Mind, Body, and Spirit---to be ready to lead lives of Virtue, Humanity, and Spirit?
The list is endless! In fact, as I write to you now, more questions are bubbling to the surface, and I am sure each one of you could give me plenty more to add to this growing list. However, we as a School Community are committed to fostering this concept of continual development and improvement. Just as we state in our own Portrait of a Graduate, we expect our students to become:
Passionate Learners who pursue enlightenment and learning across disciplines with curiosity and determination.
Moreover, we clearly define the concept of "Learning" in our own Guiding Principles as follows:
We cultivate curiosity, creativity, innovation, and scholarship as the foundation of intellectual growth.
As our School commits to this concept so too must we, as the leaders of this Community, strive to be lifelong learners. As we wrestle with the right questions we must remember to make time to feed our own constant curiosity for, as Edna Ferber, noted playwright and novelist claims,
“A closed mind is a dying mind.”
As we head into this busy stretch of the year, one in which examinations are looming, college applications are due, and stress levels rise, let me say thank you for your commitment to Leadership and Learning. The good work you are doing is making a difference, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve in a Community which places such a high value on professional development.
All the very best for a rewarding week full of new ideas, exciting conversations, and professional growth. And, as always, thank you for your Professionalism, your Passion, and your Positive Attitude.
Patrick
Back
Will the ancient model of school evolve from an agrarian one to one in which school is held ‘year round? Will technology play an even greater role, ultimately leading to the absence of books, pen, and paper?
Will students spend more time out of the traditional classroom setting, working even more in teams and in the “real world”?
Will there be a need for an actual physical space in which students gather each day?
What will the “modern” schoolhouse actually look like, and what will it cost?
How will our Faculty adapt to such changes, and how can we be part of a proactive shift?
What does the long-term financial model for our School look like? How do we build a truly sustainable financial model, in light of external pressures, and changes in the economy/marketplace?
How do we recruit and retain the very best Mission-appropriate families?
How do we recruit, retain, and develop the very best, Mission-appropriate Faculty and Staff?
How do we model our 9 Guiding Principles: Spirituality, Learning, Dedication, Community, Service, Honor, Respect, Diversity, and Balance? What do these ideals look like in practice and in our current world?
What does it really mean to be an Episcopal School and how do we pay particular attention to building a healthy community?
How does our School reflect South Florida and its growing international population?
How can I be better in my own daily work and provide the necessary support, encouragement, and leadership for our Faculty and Staff?
How do I balance the challenges of my personal and professional life? How can I be the best version of myself?
And maybe the toughest question of all:
Are we staying true to our stated Mission? How do we prepare our students fully--in Mind, Body, and Spirit---to be ready to lead lives of Virtue, Humanity, and Spirit?
The list is endless! In fact, as I write to you now, more questions are bubbling to the surface, and I am sure each one of you could give me plenty more to add to this growing list. However, we as a School Community are committed to fostering this concept of continual development and improvement. Just as we state in our own Portrait of a Graduate, we expect our students to become:
Passionate Learners who pursue enlightenment and learning across disciplines with curiosity and determination.
Moreover, we clearly define the concept of "Learning" in our own Guiding Principles as follows:
We cultivate curiosity, creativity, innovation, and scholarship as the foundation of intellectual growth.
As our School commits to this concept so too must we, as the leaders of this Community, strive to be lifelong learners. As we wrestle with the right questions we must remember to make time to feed our own constant curiosity for, as Edna Ferber, noted playwright and novelist claims,
“A closed mind is a dying mind.”
As we head into this busy stretch of the year, one in which examinations are looming, college applications are due, and stress levels rise, let me say thank you for your commitment to Leadership and Learning. The good work you are doing is making a difference, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve in a Community which places such a high value on professional development.
All the very best for a rewarding week full of new ideas, exciting conversations, and professional growth. And, as always, thank you for your Professionalism, your Passion, and your Positive Attitude.
Patrick
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