On November 9: Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students
by Mike Davis, Ph.D.
Head of School
Everyday, I am grateful to serve the Colorado Academy community. I do not think of my role as one of a “job,” but as a calling to help young people grow and develop into independent thinkers and leaders in our national and global communities. I feel fortunate to have my children learn and interact with so many amazing educational professionals, as well as a remarkably talented student body. Today is no exception. In fact, despite getting little sleep last night, I wanted to get to school to talk to students and colleagues about the results of this unprecedented presidential campaign. No matter what our personal political perspective might be, this has been a divisive election, and, this morning, I find myself thinking about what role our school plays in being a positive force in our society.
Back
Head of School
Everyday, I am grateful to serve the Colorado Academy community. I do not think of my role as one of a “job,” but as a calling to help young people grow and develop into independent thinkers and leaders in our national and global communities. I feel fortunate to have my children learn and interact with so many amazing educational professionals, as well as a remarkably talented student body. Today is no exception. In fact, despite getting little sleep last night, I wanted to get to school to talk to students and colleagues about the results of this unprecedented presidential campaign. No matter what our personal political perspective might be, this has been a divisive election, and, this morning, I find myself thinking about what role our school plays in being a positive force in our society.
I am passionate about American history, and what I know from my studies as a historian is that our system of government operates best when “the people” -- and I mean ALL people -- are engaged and all voices are heard. As a school, we work very hard to teach this. Unlike other institutions, schools are really designed to be sacred places -- where we can uphold the sacred space of openness and learning.
CA is a place where we protect the right of students to experience life’s meaningful journey in the pursuit of growth and knowledge in the midst of a community. This is a community defined by support, compassion, empathy, courage, and kindness.
If your faith in the democratic system has been tested, as it has been for people on both sides of the aisle, retreating from engagement in that system is not what we do. What has been laid bare by the last 18 months is the depth of our disagreement in this country, and with that now so clearly exposed, our only way forward is tolerance, forbearance, and hard -- very hard -- work. Life and living are the most meaningful when we show up, and as we do so, when we treat one another with kindness and respect.
No matter your views, you are going to see many different ways and reasons to “show up” here on campus, at your next school on a college campus, in your church, synagogue, or mosque, even within your own family. We show up when we listen to one another, embrace and value what we learn from others, and work together to move forward. As members of the CA community, I hope that is where you will put your energy. I can promise that is where I will put mine.
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