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February 17, 2006
From the director 2-17-06
At the annual CAIS Trustee/School Head conference a couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of listening to Dr. Sarah Lawrence Lightfoot, Professor of Education at Harvard University, sociologist, and author. She is a powerful and profound public speaker. Her topic was respect, which she highlighted as a key ingredient in building a society that demonstrates equity and justice. She noted that teaching is deeply relational and that respect is a powerful element in defining that relationship. Dr. Lightfoot focused on six dimensions of respect.- Respect as symmetry. Based on connection rather deference to status or honor.
- Respect as healing. Nourishing wholeness and wellbeing. Grows and is grounded in relationship. Powerful, visceral and nuanced.
- Respect as dialog. Authentic communication with a willingness to move through conflict and misunderstanding.
- Respect as curiosity. Genuine interest in others including interest in people’s fears, stories, and dreams.
- Respect as self-respect. Not narcissism or entitlement. Learning to live by one’s own moral compass.
- Respect as attention. Full and undiluted. Being fully present in the room. The most subtle and quiet form of respect.
In reflecting on Dr. Lightfoot’s comments during my daily interactions I have noticed how energizing and generative the interactions are that contain these elements of respect. The opposite is true also; interactions lacking in respect leave me feeling drained. In taking this lesson into the classroom, the importance of respectful genuine relationships between teacher and student is underscored. School life asks students to be energetic, creative, and productive. To enable our students offer their best, the classroom environment, and most especially the relationship between student and teacher needs to be one of true respect. I feel blessed to be able to witness this day in and day out at PHS.
Ann Meissner
Interim Director