Students arrived, bubbling with excitement, hugging and high-fiving anyone in reach: teachers, classmates, parents of classmates, Barbara at the front desk.
Parents caught up with friends, finalizing playdate plans that are supposedly for their kids, but are secretly just as much for the adults.
Teachers were humming—most metaphorically, some literally—ready to dive into Hudson River ecology, building blocks, the rudiments of addition, and whatever else young minds might want to know.
It was day 1, day 11, day 111 of school—it doesn’t matter, because this morning at Stevens was just like every other one, which is to say: The best one yet.
And, if you asked some of the people here this morning what they thought about Stevens, this is what they’d tell you:
I love that the child is at the center of everything and that’s what we all agree on. When we keep that at the center, it makes everything a lot easier. A young child learns through play and every single opportunity that’s there is because of a teacher’s thoughtful planning and curriculum. It’s teaching and learning all the time.
If the class is really interested in birds, for example, my colleagues are amazing because they can adjust their curriculum on the fly. They incorporate everything—math, social studies, science, reading—and make it both interesting and meaningful to students. To have any child’s voice heard in that way is invaluable. Who would care to listen to these children? Stevens does.
The world needs independent thinkers who also know what’s kind. Independent, kind thinkers who will lead us to a better way. I feel like everything I do here is directly in service of that. I know these kids will do something great, and I’m honored to be a part of it.
I love that the child is at the center of everything and that’s what we all agree on. When we keep that at the center, it makes everything a lot easier. A young child learns through play and every single opportunity that’s there is because of a teacher’s thoughtful planning and curriculum. It’s teaching and learning all the time.
If the class is really interested in birds, for example, my colleagues are amazing because they can adjust their curriculum on the fly. They incorporate everything—math, social studies, science, reading—and make it both interesting and meaningful to students. To have any child’s voice heard in that way is invaluable. Who would care to listen to these children? Stevens does.
The world needs independent thinkers who also know what’s kind. Independent, kind thinkers who will lead us to a better way. I feel like everything I do here is directly in service of that. I know these kids will do something great, and I’m honored to be a part of it.
I love that the child is at the center of everything and that’s what we all agree on. When we keep that at the center, it makes everything a lot easier. A young child learns through play and every single opportunity that’s there is because of a teacher’s thoughtful planning and curriculum. It’s teaching and learning all the time.
If the class is really interested in birds, for example, my colleagues are amazing because they can adjust their curriculum on the fly. They incorporate everything—math, social studies, science, reading—and make it both interesting and meaningful to students. To have any child’s voice heard in that way is invaluable. Who would care to listen to these children? Stevens does.
The world needs independent thinkers who also know what’s kind. Independent, kind thinkers who will lead us to a better way. I feel like everything I do here is directly in service of that. I know these kids will do something great, and I’m honored to be a part of it.
I love that the child is at the center of everything and that’s what we all agree on. When we keep that at the center, it makes everything a lot easier. A young child learns through play and every single opportunity that’s there is because of a teacher’s thoughtful planning and curriculum. It’s teaching and learning all the time.
If the class is really interested in birds, for example, my colleagues are amazing because they can adjust their curriculum on the fly. They incorporate everything—math, social studies, science, reading—and make it both interesting and meaningful to students. To have any child’s voice heard in that way is invaluable. Who would care to listen to these children? Stevens does.
The world needs independent thinkers who also know what’s kind. Independent, kind thinkers who will lead us to a better way. I feel like everything I do here is directly in service of that. I know these kids will do something great, and I’m honored to be a part of it.
I love that the child is at the center of everything and that’s what we all agree on. When we keep that at the center, it makes everything a lot easier. A young child learns through play and every single opportunity that’s there is because of a teacher’s thoughtful planning and curriculum. It’s teaching and learning all the time.
If the class is really interested in birds, for example, my colleagues are amazing because they can adjust their curriculum on the fly. They incorporate everything—math, social studies, science, reading—and make it both interesting and meaningful to students. To have any child’s voice heard in that way is invaluable. Who would care to listen to these children? Stevens does.
The world needs independent thinkers who also know what’s kind. Independent, kind thinkers who will lead us to a better way. I feel like everything I do here is directly in service of that. I know these kids will do something great, and I’m honored to be a part of it.
I love that the child is at the center of everything and that’s what we all agree on. When we keep that at the center, it makes everything a lot easier. A young child learns through play and every single opportunity that’s there is because of a teacher’s thoughtful planning and curriculum. It’s teaching and learning all the time.
If the class is really interested in birds, for example, my colleagues are amazing because they can adjust their curriculum on the fly. They incorporate everything—math, social studies, science, reading—and make it both interesting and meaningful to students. To have any child’s voice heard in that way is invaluable. Who would care to listen to these children? Stevens does.
The world needs independent thinkers who also know what’s kind. Independent, kind thinkers who will lead us to a better way. I feel like everything I do here is directly in service of that. I know these kids will do something great, and I’m honored to be a part of it.