Our Wildwood, Summer 2017, Volume 41

g o o d t o k n o w

On Reflection... Melinda Tsapatsaris

Reflection is an essential element of Wildwood’s pedagogy and its way of being. I’ve wondered, Should reflection be a Life Skill or the eighth Habit of Mind and Heart? It’s hard to pull apart and isolate reflection as a discrete entity. Reflection is the water in which the Life Skills and the Habits exist. It is the basis for all we do. If I had to prioritize one quality for my fellow citizens, peers with me on this parenting ride, politicians, and so on it would be a profound, earnest, and active capacity to reflect. Something Wildwood graduates can do automatically, constantly, and effectively. Reflection is the gateway to radical empathy (a term a former colleague coined). It is the vehicle of a growth mindset. Reflection instigates grit. It invites us to set and reach higher goals. It encourages us to pause and celebrate our successes. Reflection is the heart of this special school. Schools abound with trophies showcasing sports victories, debate team hardware, . and drama festival medals. I’d like to create a Wildwood trophy case highlighting our top Reflective Moments. Here’s where I’d start: > The time an unknown 7th grader in 2001 put a Band-Aid on my classroom globe, . right on top of Afghanistan. > The time five teenage boys admitted to me (their high school principal) that they really couldn’t come up with a sufficient senior prank because all their ideas would create too much extra work for the facilities department. > The time a mom admitted immediately after her daughter’s 10th grade Gateway, “You know, I could never do what she just did. Talk about her stretches without shame—but even more intimidating—talk about her strengths with ease and pride. My daughter is my role model right now!” > The time Daniel, a senior, shared, “Wild curiosity drives me, but it makes sense to . only study things that truly benefit myself and others. That is the responsibility of curious people.” > The time I told my middle school advisory about my former students in southeastern Ohio giving me homemade deer jerky as a holiday gift—and Maesa, on the last day before winter break, bringing in a basket of lemons and lavender from her backyard with a simple note, “California Deer Jerky.” The end of the year invites ongoing and intense reflection. It is the season of Gateways . and Senior Exhibitions, spring report writing, 5th grade culmination and 12th grade graduation. It is the time to look back and look ahead. It’s a time where we measure our work with our children—and ourselves. I think of Wildwood as a feisty school, always trying to be the best version of itself, as Landis shares often. I invite us to linger a moment and celebrate this reflection—and our celebration of reflection. In a Go!Go!Go! society that moves way too fast, . we pause. We pause to learn and grow from the kind moments to the difficult ones. We swim . in reflection.

Melinda Tsapatsaris was a member of the design team for Wildwood’s expansion to K-12; served as founding faculty of the middle and upper school; director of upper school from 2006-2011; and assistant head of school from 2011-2017. Next year, Melinda will become head of school at Westland School in Los Angeles, continuing her career as a leader in progressive schools.

Our Wildwood /Summer 2017 6/7