Sparhawk is a wonderful
world; and, for me, it is the mighty purpose George Bernard Shaw speaks
of in my favorite quote: "This is the true joy in life, the being
used for a purpose, recognized by yourself as a mighty one."
Even though I am the founder and headmaster of Sparhawk School, I
am myself just a part of this fabulous project, and I count myself
fortunate to be so. I am surrounded by wonderful people, each engaged
in a symphony of purposes that results in a school where children
are honored and ideas are celebrated. Our mission is replete with
delight and challenge, and it has as its chief measure of success
our students' expressions of engagement, growth, and confidence.
Like a child, Sparhawk
is growing in leaps and bounds; and like a child, Sparhawk is growing
through stages: sometimes awkwardly, with lessons to learn from experience,
and at other times, with breathtaking ease, poignancy, and grace.
As children are guided by parents, so our institution is guided by
principles that keep us from getting too far off track.
Those principles begin our formal philosophical statement and are
used in our practice - in everything from long- range planning and
curriculum development, to daily interactions with individual children.
Those principles are: "Respect for children and trust in their
inherent enthusiasm for learning...." These two tenets, respect
and trust, determine the design of our educational processes and objectives.
"Our purpose is to cultivate independent thinking, protect children's
natural joy and ease in learning, and to preserve their sense of creativity,
curiosity, and self esteem."
We can claim some credit for cultivating, protecting and preserving
these treasures, and sometimes for restoring them, but I also thank
each parent for entrusting us with their special young person. It
is an honor to be guides on their journey.
I walk through the days of my life here with a celebratory feeling
of joy. Gathered here at Sparhawk School are some of the finest students,
parents, and faculty on the planet. I believe it. I celebrate it every
day.
