Our Wildwood, Volume 50

aren’t always in rows. Discussion is fostered, with students asked to think broadly and critically about what they already know. The word progressive means different things to different people, but I am increasingly inspired by the knowledge that Wildwood School’s influence is often present when I hear the word used. My predecessor Hope Boyd regularly noted that our job is to, “prepare our students for their future, not our past.” She was ahead of her time 20 years ago, and we still are. What do Hope’s words mean for the drill and-kill that is still far too common in both independent and public schools around the country? What are the skills that students need to navigate a world in which endless content knowledge is literally available in the palm of their hand? How best to craft a question that will leverage the best that artificial intelligence has to offer in service to the project at hand? These are the types of questions that can only be answered by people who have been trained to know how to use their minds well—to analyze, synthesize, empathize, and live lives of purposeful contribution. They are the types of questions that Wildwood School graduates will be able to answer. The Future of Progressive Education Welcoming new parents in the fall, I had some tongue in-cheek fun reading from a speech I’d asked ChatGPT to create. My prompt called for a two-minute welcome, emphasizing the progressive nature of our program. The response, which I shared with parents, wasn’t necessarily wrong or bad. On the whole though, it read as canned and soulless. To Hope’s point about preparing kids for their future, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a perfect example. It is part of their future. I know of very few schools that are as well positioned—culturally, pedagogically, structurally—to meet this moment in time. Wildwood, with decades of experience using progressive models to prepare students for college and life, is one. Our school’s relentless commitment to reflection, innovation, improvement, and collaboration within and beyond will keep it that way. I’m grateful to have been involved in the evolution of American education in the last three decades, and I am inspired to think of Wildwood’s role in that evolution in the next 30 years. W

WHO IS JOHN DEWEY?

A philosopher, social reformer, and educator, John Dewey (1859-1952) was one of the most influential educational scholars of the 20th century. His work “Philosophy of Education’’ formed the backbone of what has become known as progressive education, and stood in stark contrast to the era’s norm of having students sit quietly and memorize lessons. Dewey’s concept of education put a premium on meaningful activity in learning and participation in classroom democracy. Dewey argued that education and learning are social and interactive processes, and thus, school itself is a social institution through which social reform can and should take place. In addition, he believed that students thrive in an environment where they are allowed to experience and interact with the curriculum, and all students should have the opportunity to take part in their own learning. More than 70 years after his death, his theories are still being implemented in schools worldwide as educators and legislators recognize the importance of building community, strengthening relationships, and developing higher level thinking skills for real-life application.

OWW WINTER 2024

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