From the Desk of the Head of School- October 23, 2020

Dear Parents,

I’ve had the good fortune this week to attend (virtually) the Southern Association of Independent Schools national conference. It was a rare opportunity to come up for air and reflect on all that has been happening at Harding Academy over these past few months. Over and over, in various conversations I’ve had with you all individually, I have heard how these months have accelerated changes in your various industries and forced changes that otherwise might have taken years, even decades, to achieve. And for many of us, there are aspects of this shift that won’t ever change back. 

These conversations bring me back to something I heard from Dr. Andy Van Schlaak, an economist and futurist at Vanderbilt University, who discussed the most valued work skills individuals must have in 2030. As a timely reference point, our current PreK will be in 8th grade in 2030. Those future skills are: 

1. judgment and decision making
2. fluency of ideas
3. active learning
4. learning strategies
5. originality

As we continue through the 2020-21 school year, I find moments to consider the future of education and Harding Academy’s role in it. I keep coming back to these skills as pivotal focus points for the work ahead of us. The profile of a graduate we discussed a few weeks back aligns well with developing young girls and boys who are well on their way to being able to demonstrate these skills in a variety of contexts. 

Stay safe and healthy.