Our Wildwood, Winter 2018, Volume 42

Dear Friends, l e t t e r f r o m l a n d i s

holiday list this past season) The Gardener and the Carpenter, has written, “Successful creative adults seem to combine the wide- ranging exploration and openness we see in children with the focus and discipline we see in adults.” That’s our job. If we do little else, providing students with the tools and skills to grow into functioning adults who haven’t lost their spirit of openness and wonder will position them beautifully for the lives of purpose and satisfaction we all wish for them. This idea of transition is central,

HAVING DINNER WITH THE PARENT OF THREE Wildwood alumni recently, she shared a sentiment that I so often hear from parents of alumni: She is thoroughly enjoying knowing her adult children, engaging with them about their ideas, and having them agree—and disagree, using the Habits of Evidence, Perspective, etc—with her and her husband’s views of the world. One is a college graduate living in Los Angeles, and two are college seniors, both of whom were “lifers” at Wildwood. It was a celebratory moment, witnessing her share how genuinely she likes and respects the people she invited us to help her raise. Those who know me well know that one of my stakes-in- the-ground with regard to this important and joyful work of educating and raising kids is developing in them the sense of self, presence of mind, and confidence to be able to greet the ambiguity of new situations— transitions — with more of a sense of opportunity and resolve than of fear and dread. It’s in the development of those skills, carefully and sometimes not-so-carefully crafted by the adults in their lives, that children grow into the kinds of adults who will bring a spirit of wonder and exploration to a new situation. They become wise and reflective people who’ve contributed and gained from the circumstances, both personal and professional, that have surrounded them. This issue of Our Wildwood is devoted to exploring how we do just that. Beyond the mastery of content and academic skills, individuals also need skills to negotiate the inevitable transitions in life—new job, new spouse, new boss, new child, new city or country—that can all too often cause us to falter. It’s there, in supporting children and young adults in consistent and strategic ways, that we adults can help them to succeed and meet their goals, whatever they may be. Alison Gopnik, a professor of psychology and . philosophy at the University of California, Berkeley, and the author of the recent book (and go-to gift on my

as we think about how to deliberately and consistently guide them in taking all the content and skills they’ve mastered and all the self-awareness and understandings they’ve gained and then implement these abilities in new situations. I’d argue that it’s there—feeling solid in ambiguous circumstances—when individuals can give . and gain the most. Colleagues, students, and parents have filled this issue of Our Wildwood with their own observations about transitions large and small. I hope you enjoy reading their work as much as we’ve enjoyed preparing it for you.

With warm regards,

Landis Green Head of School