The Power of Moments at TBS (3 minute read)
Connection is everything when it comes to developing positive moments for the people around us. In my work with families, I find many assume that once their child’s enrollment is complete, the child’s relationship with the admissions department will be virtually non-existent as they progress through (and eventually graduate from) the school. The reality is quite contrary to the actual role that most admissions professionals play, especially in smaller schools.
The admissions office can usually provide a myriad of opportunities to connect children with their school experience and preparation for leadership. Whether collaborating in student ambassadorship programs, pursuing alumni outreach initiatives, or taking on classroom projects and elective offerings, admissions directors can facilitate meaningful connections among children, adults, and learning that leave a positive imprint on students. These connections are the norm at The Berkeley School.
As noted by Dan and Chip Heath, authors of The Power of Moments, there are four elements that recur in people’s positive defining moments: elevation, insight, pride, and connection.
Moments of elevation lift us above the day-to-day, inspiring emotions such as joy, delight, and a deep sense of engagement.
Moments of insight rewire our understanding of ourselves or our world. These are the epiphanies, realizations, and “aha!” moments.
Moments of pride capture us at our best, achieving things we weren’t sure were possible, or being recognized by other people for our work or our talents.
Moments of connection deepen our ties to other people, sometimes in personal relationships and sometimes in groups, where bonding occurs through struggling together toward a common goal.
At The Berkeley School, there are many moments to engage with students and parents outside of their usual classroom experiences. Whether your children are precocious preschoolers or awkward middle schoolers, they are sure to have a wide range of experiences that will shape how they navigate the world. We endeavor to create meaningful experiences in learning that will be peak moments – those moments of feel-good accomplishment when students internalize their learning and are able to demonstrate their learning and empathy through civic engagement projects. While it is inevitable that students will also endure pits – those moments where learning spawns negative emotions such as sadness, anger, and anxiety – our social-emotional curriculum helps support them and develops tools for self-regulation and growth mindset along the way.
As the Admission Director, I will not only be your guide to navigating the admissions process: I will also be there to assist you in making connections in our community. I am inviting you to take a journey with us to understand why the exchanges that take place through learning, play, and civic engagement matter in the lives of students.
“How do I get started?” you might ask. For our youngest applicants, to the sandbox we go! We hope to see you at the ECC for one of our Community Playdates. Adults can also take a tour to see firsthand how we engage our students in teaching and learning in the classroom. Your family can attend an information session to experience for yourself how teaching and learning unfold in the classroom. By doing so, you’ll also have a clearer understanding of how the rich curriculum connects as children move through grade levels and apply their learning outside the classroom. And at the January Alumni Panel, you can hear our alumni talk about how their experiences – both peaks and pits – have developed their internal compasses, which serve them in confidently navigating the post-TBS world.
Our community – teachers, administrators, students and parenting adults – looks forward to the opportunity to connect with your family. And I look forward to being your connection guide!
Costa Rica 2018 from The Berkeley School on Vimeo.