Memorizing facts that are easily found by Googling is not the best use of students’ time anymore
by Karen E. Eshoo
Access to high-quality education is, as journalist John Merrow asserts, a key civil right of all Americans. The very health of our democracy is dependent on knowledgeable, critically thinking citizens who can participate fully in civic life. When we prioritize quality education for all children regardless of race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, geographical location, or gender, we re-commit ourselves to the values of equity and access that distinguish us as Americans. This is, of course, why it matters to all of us that our current educational systems do not always serve students as well as they should. Our future, clearly, is at stake.
There is not one “right” way to provide a first rate education for children. Schools of all types have demonstrated the kind of passion and innovation necessary to recast high academic standards in light of the skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century. Memorizing facts that are easily found by Googling is not the best use of students’ time anymore, but learning how to synthesize and analyze the validity of those facts is crucial. Working alone on assignments is still important to a degree, but learning how to collaborate with partners to solve problems will position students better for the kind of work they are likely to do once they leave school. Highly-skilled, creative teachers in all kinds of schools can create engaging classrooms that tap student potential, especially when they act as coaches and facilitators of student learning through exploration and risk-taking. And since this kind of teaching can and does happen in all kinds of schools – public, charter and private – there are opportunities for schools to support one another by sharing best practices and partnering to serve all students in the community as well as we can.
This is why I am so excited to join Vistamar School this summer as the next Head of School. I was first attracted to the school because of its commitment to building a diverse and inclusive community, one that reflects the South Bay and greater Los Angeles. While Vistamar is a private school that charges tuition, we are committed to maintaining our diversity through a robust Financial Access program. When I look around the assembly room during a morning meeting, I can see LA clearly in all of its racial/ethnic, socio-economic and gender diversity. It is precisely this diversity that provides a foundation for our truly global curriculum — one that allows students not only to learn about the complex world that they are about to inherit, but to consider that world through the multiple perspectives of their peers and teachers.
By constantly learning in collaboration with one another, our students encounter diversity of thought and experience on a daily basis. The kind of sympathy and empathy that flows from this kind of learning environment helps students develop a more authentic understanding of the world. Global education is not just theory put forth in a book at Vistamar – we live it together every day.
Our curriculum is a reflection of the some of the best that the world has to offer. Our math program is adapted from one developed at Philips Exeter. Our modular science program provides students opportunities in biology, chemistry and physics in a “spiral” curriculum for three years. We have chosen to offer Spanish and Mandarin because, along with English, these are the most widely spoken languages in the world. We offer the highest-quality AP courses in all disciplines as well. And, we provide opportunities for students to learn outside of the classroom – whether by working with young students in local schools, or by traveling within the U.S. or abroad to broaden their learning even more.
Just as important as the rigorous program, of course, are the relationships that our teachers develop with their students in these classes. Whether in a debate in a humanities course or a lab in a science class, the partnerships between teachers and students allow for greater depth of exploration in an atmosphere of trust.
It is no surprise to me that our graduates already have reported back to us that they are extremely well prepared for college work, both in terms of coursework and in terms of navigating the demands of college life itself.
Vistamar is unique amongst private schools in Los Angeles and nationwide, both because of our distinctive program and our diverse community. We also stand out because of our commitment to partnerships with our colleagues in local public and charter schools. We are, after all, fortunate to be a school within the community of El Segundo, not apart from it. We believe that such partnerships strengthen the community as a whole, providing families in the community with increased opportunities to find the best school for their children. Ultimately, all schools exist to serve the best interest of students in order that they might grow up to serve the best interest of their own communities. When we achieve this goal, we all win.
Karen E. Eshoo is the Head of School at Vistamar. ER
