By Timothy P. Costello, Head of School
As we close out our fourth week of school and students and teachers are settling into their routine, I’m reflecting on Back to School Night, where I asked parents to think back on an influential person from their childhood and to try to remember the special qualities that made that person so meaningful.
I enjoyed reading their responses. You can see those characteristics that came to mind as special to our parents in the words that jump out – caring, supportive, challenging, encouraging, passionate.
These are the characteristics of the most effective teachers – educators who make a lasting impact on the lives of their students. These are the same qualities our teachers work to instill in our students. If we are doing our jobs well, when today’s SAA students are parents, attending their own children’s s Back to School Night (hopefully at SAA – how cool would that be?) they will be thinking about our teachers and how they impacted their childhood and education.
These are the characteristics of the most effective teachers – educators who make a lasting impact on the lives of their students. These are the same qualities our teachers work to instill in our students. If we are doing our jobs well, when today’s SAA students are parents, attending their own children’s s Back to School Night (hopefully at SAA – how cool would that be?) they will be thinking about our teachers and how they impacted their childhood and education.
Just a couple Friday’s ago we held one of my favorite events of the year, the New Parent Coffee. This morning hour together serves as an important check-in during the early stages of the a family’s SAA journey. Importantly, the event provides an opportunity for parents to connect with each other and share stories about their respective paths to SAA. Further, parents make connections with others who understand the joys and challenges of raising gifted children.
At the event, I ask new parents to write a headline to describe the opening weeks of school for their student. The responses are a reminder of how a family’s SAA experience is formed by the previous school experience.
School is Fun!
Onto New Adventures!
Start of SAA has been very positive; supportive environment; development of great new friendships
School Success! Let’s go on the Weekend, Too!
Girl finds her own kind and begins to enjoy the world of learning
Happiness, Joy, Friendship and finally feeling like you fit in
Starting the First Day of Her Life
As students are now in the company of intellectual peers in an environment where it is cool to be smart, the overall outlook on school becomes much happier. It has been a very positive and tremendously exciting start to the school year.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Looking forward to our next Parent Coffee in October.
At the event, I ask new parents to write a headline to describe the opening weeks of school for their student. The responses are a reminder of how a family’s SAA experience is formed by the previous school experience.
School is Fun!
Onto New Adventures!
Start of SAA has been very positive; supportive environment; development of great new friendships
School Success! Let’s go on the Weekend, Too!
Girl finds her own kind and begins to enjoy the world of learning
Happiness, Joy, Friendship and finally feeling like you fit in
Starting the First Day of Her Life
As students are now in the company of intellectual peers in an environment where it is cool to be smart, the overall outlook on school becomes much happier. It has been a very positive and tremendously exciting start to the school year.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Looking forward to our next Parent Coffee in October.
Best,
Tim Costello
Head of School
Tim Costello
Head of School
RSS Feed
