...you can also view my presentation here. As I was preparing my remarks for tonight, I couldn’t help thinking back 19 years, and 17 years, and finally 10 years, to the first time each of my three children started school. Of all the childhood memories ingrained in my mind, the beginning of school for each of them is one of the most profound, both for its significance as the opening of a new chapter in our lives, and also for the mixed emotions I felt as my babies went off for the first time, out of my sight, to a place I thought we could trust, but let’s be realistic – nobody could do it quite right.
My most irrational moments undoubtedly came with my first child. I remember having these wildly varying emotions as we prepared for the trip to school. So excited to have him begin this new journey and looking forward to observing him as he grew and learned academically, socially, and emotionally; but also thinking the most irrational thoughts imaginable. Should I call ahead and discuss with the teacher the fact that she now had this unbelievable responsibility as the first adult other than family to have a significant impact on this treasure, our firstborn? Did she really understand the gravity of the task ahead of her? Luckily, by the second and third child, I had calmed down … somewhat!
So, I do remember the significance of those first days and the excitement of each subsequent year. I also remember how important it was for my children to experience different teachers, different personalities and styles, as they worked their way through grade school. I remember being surprised at how very important these other adults became in their lives. How well I remember the first time each of them corrected me as I pontificated on some topic with, “Well, actually, Mrs. Thompson says…” or “I don’t think so, mom, Mrs. Wells told us…” As a parent, you don’t know whether to be shocked that you are no longer the ultimate, singular authority in your children’s lives, their only source of information. Or should you be thrilled that not only did Mrs. Thompson say something quite wise; and obviously my child not only heard it, but learned it, and now is relaying this information back to me clearly and persuasively.
So why am I baring my soul to you at this early point in our relationship? Why am I exposing the relative lunacy of some of my early parenting moments? Because I want you to understand, that I understand… I have said so many times that my very best professional development was raising my three children – well, almost raising them, the youngest is still a work in progress. I know how intensely you love your children, how important their well-being is to everything you do, and how hard you work to protect them while realizing the importance of allowing your children to learn from other adults, to live and grow in their social and emotional development. You know how important being in this School is to allowing your son or daughter to have the opportunities you have dreamed of for him or her since the moment of birth.
A big part of my job is getting to know people, so I can help them when they need it. This means faculty, parents, administrators, but most especially your children. I spent the summer meeting with as many people as I could, so I would begin to get to know USM. I can tell you this much, you are providing for your children a very special gift.
I have been an educator for over 20 years, and USM is a school unlike any other. The one word that keeps coming to mind when I think about this School and the people I have met and talked with, is passion. There is such passion here. Passion for the School, passion for the students, and an amazing passion for excellence. Faculty members at USM do not just care about teaching or curriculum, they care about how children learn. The faculty is passionate about helping children thrive as individuals, while teaching and modeling for them the meaning of community.
As a parent, an educator and the new head of this School, what I want for your children is for them to experience opportunity: the opportunity to be their own personal best.
First and foremost, to achieve academically. This has been, and continues to need to be, our number one priority.
The statistical results at USM are outstanding. This School ranks amongst the very best, not just in the State of Wisconsin, but across the nation. Last year’s AP results are just one example of the success USM students experience as they reach the epitome of their educational experience – the Advanced Placement program. Across the nation, only the very brightest and best high school students participate in the AP program. Last year, these students achieved a 58% qualifying rate on the AP exams – this was touted across the nation’s media. American students were indeed achieving excellence. At USM, imagine the significance of this statistic: 96% of USM students sitting for AP exams achieved a qualifying score. Not 58%, but rather, 96%. This doesn’t happen in one year. The AP curriculum is the culminating result of the entire USM curriculum. The foundation begins in the Lower School, is built upon in the Middle School and then perfected in the Upper School. You are providing your children an unbelievable gift.
USM students to have the opportunity to excel in mathematics and science. To be challenged to think independently and to work together collaboratively. To practice analytical and creative thinking and problem solving, to develop digital acuity - quantitative and scientific literacy, to become more global in their thinking while developing valuable life skills such as: adaptability, initiative, and risk-taking; and finally to embrace the importance of moral and ethical decision-making.
Children need to grow outside of the classroom. I am devoted to continuing to build athletic and arts programs that allow for our students to excel. I have a strong desire for and will continue to support the need for winning teams; healthy, strong athletic kids; and those who appreciate and excel at both performance and visual arts. Quite simply, I want your children to have opportunity. Opportunity to excel… and I know that is what you want also.
I believe we have this opportunity here at USM. As the new head, I am unmistakably aware of the fact that I am not starting a new school, not developing new programs from scratch. Rather, I am inheriting a very special, passionate place, where students are provided the opportunity to excel, and where they do just that. While celebrating and respecting what we have, I am also committed to continuing this mission, to ― continuously and consistently ― look for more ways to distinguish USM as not only the very best educational experience in Milwaukee, but as one of the preeminent schools in the nation.
And then there are your children. What a very special gift they are. As I walked around the Lower School during these first special days of school, I found myself drawn to them. There is such warmth and excitement here. It is so easy to be drawn to this part of campus. As I went from classroom to classroom, listening and observing this very, very special place, it struck me, these teachers have won the jackpot! For that I thank you for sharing your most precious possessions with us as we work together to provide for them the foundation for the rest of their lives.
