Weekly Message from Head of School
May 14, 2020
“The Question Concerning Reactionary Modernism; applying Herf’s theory to Heidegger’s late work.”
As I mentioned in this message two weeks ago, my son Andrew has completed his college work and earned an honors degree in political science and philosophy. He elected to write a thesis for his major and recently he encouraged me to read it. I did read it, and while that fact was something in itself, our conversation afterwards has led me to think more deeply about the essential elements of effective education and offered insight into our work ahead at Lincoln Academy.
Endeavoring to read–and understand–post-modern German philosophy is new to me, and as I struggled with the vocabulary and key concepts in the 26-page paper, I was reminded what it feels like to learn something new. In the ensuing conversation, Andrew played a patient waiting game, eager to demonstrate his knowledge while helping craft my understanding into order and alignment with the thesis of his work. As we talked, shared understanding, and formed connections, it was the conversation, the shared discourse that mattered most to both of us.
If we examine what we most want for our students, beyond the concepts and content it is that they can have these conversations, they can find confidence in their understanding of a subject to carry on a dialogue like a historian or a writer, a mathematician or a scientist. That they can ask thoughtful questions of a lobsterman, mechanic, researcher, or health provider.
One aspect of this forced move to virtual learning is considering what a classroom truly is. The ongoing project of collecting “Quarantine Work and Learning,” is one effort to recognize and even redefine where learning truly takes place. There is no doubt that we all miss the “magic” that happens inside the walls of our red brick buildings, but learning and the application of knowledge occurs and thrives outside the traditional physical definition of school. For us at Lincoln Academy, our next challenge is to implement what we have learned over these past two months and apply it as we build our offerings for next fall and beyond. I believe our teachers have powerful insights into student successes and struggles, and I have no doubt they will help to lead us toward solutions that will help all students build confidence as life-long learners.
We are nearing the end of the 3rd trimester, and with it will come opportunities to reflect and recharge. I am grateful for your patience, support and belief in our Lincoln Academy community. Please be in touch if we can do anything for you.
Stay safe and be well.
Jeffrey S. Burroughs
Head of School