This introduction to “The Dream That Drives Us: A strategic vision” is adapted from Head of School Karen Cumberbatch’s strategic vision introduction to the community on January 9, 2020.
I can vividly picture my first presentation to the Carolina Friends School community, when I was interviewing for the role of Head of School. One particularly memorable moment was when a Middle School student asked me a question she had explored in her social studies class - if you could change what the Statue of Liberty holds in her hands, what would you change?
Dreaming Big That night, I was immediately struck by the fact that she not only attended an event that was not likely to be fun or entertaining for your average 11 year old but also felt empowered to stand up in front of a room full of adults to ask her question clearly and articulately. Based on her question, it was clear that what she did in her classes was dynamic, encouraged reflection, and incited real intellectual engagement. I left my visit impressed with the way Carolina Friends School was growing phenomenal young leaders and thinkers. Here in my third year, I see examples of this manifested every day in our classrooms, and my optimism about the future for our school continues to grow. We are in a great place — we have an amazing student body, highly committed families, an extraordinary, talented staff, and a visionary board. I’m so excited that we are working toward “The Dream That Drives Us,” a strategic vision for our school that will not only serve our students today, but will secure the future of CFS for generations to We & Thee | Winter 2020
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