Always Learning: What's in a Name?

Dear Families,

As a new member of our community, I am actively learning more each day. My observations and conversations with parents, students, and staff enlighten, inspire, and guide my work at SAA. Based on my first year as head of school here at SAA, I'll post a short article twice monthly.

This bimonthly communication, "What I'm Learning," is not just a platform for sharing new ideas and understanding about SAA. It's a practical and valuable tool for crafting an outline of our path forward based on the insights and feedback from our community. These posts will provide the SAA community with some background and insight into the questions we are asking ourselves and our decisions based on those questions. Sharing these insights with you is one way to demonstrate that I am listening. I encourage you to share your thoughts, ideas, and feedback with me, as your contributions are invaluable in shaping the future of our school.

A lot of learning takes place when new ideas connect to previously held understandings. Our brains are wired to connect new knowledge with prior knowledge. Psychologists call this elaboration. For a child, this might mean attaching a multiplication fact to the knowledge of an array of objects. Another example might be building an understanding of quantum physics from a foundation in Newtonian Physics. The prior knowledge helps our brains permanently incorporate new knowledge. Similarly, in my role, I am applying what I have learned about SAA to more than 30 years of teaching and leadership, building on my prior knowledge to shape our school's future. This continuity in leadership, built on a strong foundation of prior knowledge, ensures that our school's growth is steady and in the right direction.

Conrad

What's in a Name?

My full name is Conrad Wildsmith. The name Conrad, chosen by my parents, is a symbol of my individuality, a personal choice that has been with me since I first grasped its significance. It's not just a name, but a part of my identity. When I stepped into my first teaching role, I transitioned from being simply Conrad to being addressed as Mr. Wildsmith. This formal title marked my entry into adulthood and authority, setting me apart from the students I taught.

Several years into working in a formal public school environment, I accepted a position to teach at an independent school in Paris, France. Here at The International School, I first experienced a more direct and egalitarian approach to the classroom in that students addressed teachers by their first names. I quickly recognized that this practice allowed for more genuine interactions and broke down formal barriers that impeded effective communication. It highlighted a vital truth: relational respect is not inherently tied to using formal titles but is fostered through openness and mutual recognition, where each individual is valued and respected.

As I began visiting advisories last week here at SAA, I asked the students to address me by my first name. This decision is not just a personal preference but is rooted in my belief in the power of authenticity and its crucial role in fostering genuine relationships in education. Learning thrives on authentic relationships where trust is the cornerstone. In my 30 years in education, I have found that students respect adults for their authenticity, not for socially constructed titles. Confidence and respect in a person are not built through formalities but through actions and words that reflect genuine character and moral judgment.

Here at SAA, I am committed to creating a culture of transparency where staff, students, and parents feel comfortable speaking freely and trusting that my actions and words are always in their best interests.

Conrad Wildsmith Head of School

cwildsmith@sciencendartsacademy.org

Science & Arts Academy educates gifted children in an academically differentiated and enriched environment while recognizing the unique development of each child. Our supportive community encourages students to embrace their potential and cultivates their academic abilities, creative talents, and emotional growth.

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