The Joy of Reading

As I mentioned to you, our parents, in my summer letter, the faculty, not unlike the students, had a summer reading assignment to complete. The Global Achievement Gap by Tony Wagner challenges readers to consider the tools necessary to prepare young people for success in a rapidly changing world.

The first chapter in this research-based book describes “The New World of Work and the Seven Survival Skills” and asks many thought-provoking questions, including: “Are we teaching to our past or looking forward and preparing our students for their futures?”

As faculty and administrators prepared for the opening of the school year, we all divided into reading groups, so that we could share our opinions on the book. The group in which I participated focused on Wagner’s “Seven Survival Skills.”  I can tell you I left the group feeling more convinced than ever – if that’s possible  – that an independent school education, where we do not have to continuously gear our curriculum toward standardized testing, is the best educational approach to prepare today’s students for whatever tomorrow may bring.

Read it now and discuss it on October 2

Now here is your opportunity to discuss with our faculty the book, about which a professor of education at Stanford University has said, “Everyone concerned with American Education should read this book.”

Parent Ed: Book Discussion- The Global Achievement Gap
8:15 AM, Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Location: Alumni Room

So many books, so little time — Frank Zappa.

While many of us might agree with Frank Zappa on this point, I do want to encourage you to participate in the USM Community Book Group. Click here for more information on the upcoming discussion on Ann Patchett’s State of Wonder on Thursday, September 13th at 7:00 p.m., in the Stratton Upper School Library Reading Room.