Our Wildwood, Summer 2021, Volume 46

LASTING LEADERSHIP Faculty and Staff

It’s All About the Kids

Wildwood is a foundry of passionate educators, many of whom have served the school for 10 or more years, some as long as 30. They are active learners, constantly improving their own practice, and they end every year thinking about how to make the next one better. Our current and longtime former faculty and staff are a lot like our students: passionate, curious, inquisitive, and just as committed to their own learning and growth as they are to the students. As I have long said, Wildwood’s curriculum is designed for our children’s future and not our present. And their future in the 21st century will be dominated by two things: technology and globalization. Our children will work independently and in small shifting teams, working globally with people they may never see. Empathy and the ability to see the world through others’ perspectives will be required to function effectively in this landscape. This is why Wildwood emphasizes the Life Skills and Habits. Also essential will be intellectual flexibility, the ability to think across disciplines and beyond the stated facts. The lifelong learning that Wildwood stressed long before it became a popular expression is fast becoming a daily reality and how we prepare our citizens of tomorrow for their brave new world. (2006)

Besides the fact that my children were born seven years apart, thus providing a longer family engagement with Wildwood, I was also proud to be on the Wildwood Board of Trustees, a group of forward thinkers and doers. In 1997, we decided to create a different type of upper school based on progressive ideals, where, as educator Ted Sizer said, ‘Children learn to use their minds well.’ Jeanne Fauci, former director of Outreach Center, director of communications, Board of Trustees, and alumni parent When I first came to Wildwood as a parent, it was because of the vision, passion, and commitment of the founders of the school. What drew me to my career at Wildwood and kept me there for 34 years were exactly those same elements, coupled with a deep desire to participate in our shared mission. The intelligent, compassionate, thoughtful people I was privileged to know and work with brought great joy to my life. Marcia Capparela, former assistant head of school and alumni parent One of the many gifts that I received from Wildwood is the deep value and practice of active reflection. I endeavor to understand whether my intent was realized and how I might maintain, deepen, innovate, and re-imagine both the successes and challenges—all in the spirit of asking, ‘What is best for children and the community?’ Wildwood’s practice of active reflection is powerful, dynamic, and transformative. Reflection is with me in all that I do. Rasheda Carroll, former director of equity and inclusion and current parent

Hope Boyd, former head of school

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