This past Monday, many of our school trustees attended “Board Visiting Day.” This was an opportunity for them to tour the entire campus, to visit classes in action, and to witness first-hand the outstanding education that is provided each day here at BCD. They were able to directly speak with me and to engage with members of the administrative team about current matters and future initiatives in the areas of academic leadership, admissions, finance, and fundraising. I am grateful for their time, stewardship, and hard work in support of BCD this year as we chart the course for BCD’s future and long term health and sustainability.
I received the following notes from a few trustees, sharing their reflections after visiting classrooms. While individual teachers were noted, these observations speak to the quality and caliber of our entire faculty. I have included them below.
“Sitting in the legendary Mr. Fawcett’s room today, I was ignited! Beginning his lesson with a few slides of iconic sculptures, within moments he helped a group of 8th grade students discover connections between art, fiction, film – even the beloved Iliad! I turned to a fellow Board member and asked, “Does it make you want to be back in school?” More important than my own engagement with the lesson, I was thrilled to witness children who were fully engaged in a high-level learning process, who were willing to raise their hands and offer their observations and hypotheses, and whose minds were audibly clicking, turning, bouncing, shouting! Bravo and kudos to our faculty!”
“I’ll be honest, a main thought-emotion, really- was a sense of bittersweet sadness that my parent life at BCD was no more. Practically every room I walked into was filled with memories of my two children. Good memories, all. So, there is that and it cannot be denied. As I mentioned at lunch, I was also struck anew at just how hard it is to be a teacher. Anywhere. The sheer rigor of it, the constancy of always being “on” and the drain and dedication it must take to come in and keep it fresh every day. I admire our teachers so much.”
“Sitting in on the classes was eye-opening, not because the teachers I watched — Mssrs. Fawcett and Douglas — demonstrated exceptional skill at delivering complex concepts to young minds. The reputations of both teachers preceded them in that regard. What I found most gratifying and inspiring was their sincere and gentle affection for the students. I can think of no better environment for children in which to learn not only their reading, writing and ‘rithmatic, but also the meaning, taught by example, of kindness and caring for each other.”
“My visit was enjoyable and enlightening, and a few impressions stand out. First, I loved seeing the calm, engaged focus (age-appropriate, but focus nonetheless) of children in all different divisions. BCD students are learning to be committed to their learning, which speaks volumes about the skill and range of their teachers.
Second, I had the opportunity to visit English classes on three levels: fifth grade, seventh and eighth. I loved seeing the progression of sophistication in learning from one age to the next. The students in Mrs. Pitcher’s 5th grade were articulating a character’s feelings, while the older students had moved on to more detailed textual analysis, culminating, in the 8th grade, in drawing parallels between A Separate Peace and the Iliad. In each case, the children’s ability to articulate their understanding of their reading was impressive.
Third, and this is no surprise, but affirming to see, the quality of the teaching I observed was just stellar. Teachers’ interaction with individuals and with their entire class groups, was stimulating, supportive, endlessly patient and respectful. If any one thing could reaffirm my personal commitment to BCD, the outstanding character of the faculty I observed yesterday is it.”
“The day was very inspiring for me. I went to a public school where it was tough to show that you were a smart kid and interested in learning. After yesterday, I feel like BCD is such a sanctuary for learning on so many different levels. You are molding such interesting, insightful, caring, and, yes, smart kids in an environment that lets them flourish. Thank you for your time and effort yesterday, and every day.”
“I could listen to this all day,” was what my fellow trustee said as Mr. Fawcett’s lecture came to a close, echoing my thoughts exactly. The quality and depth of the conversation was simply fantastic. Our kids are so fortunate to experience learning in such an unfettered and productive environment as BCD provides. Makes me want to go back to school!”
As was done last year, I will offer interested parents opportunities to tour the whole school and to visit classes with me later this year. I hope you’ll consider joining me.
