Peck News: Spring/Summer 2021

Dear Peck Community,

As the head of an independent school, I think about leadership all the time: how I model it; how we teach it; and how we build the capacity for thoughtful, mission-driven leadership in our students, faculty, and staff. It is my sincere belief that the core values we live by at The Peck School are perfect foundational pieces of transformative and impactful leadership: care, courage, respect, gratitude, responsibility, and integrity.

During this past year’s global pandemic, which has required ongoing adaptive leadership by so many of us, I have often found myself reflecting back on my own leadership role models as I have been tested and pushed to lead the school through an unprecedented time in our history.

One of my leadership role models stressed calm during times of crisis—people need to see strength and clarity instead of fear and waffling. Another taught me the importance of relationships—every morning this school administrator walked the halls, greeting each adult prior to the students arriving; and when the students arrived, he was outside, greeting each child by name. And another leader built amazing, loyal teams who were empowered, trusted, and energized by the confidence instilled in them.

These lessons and more were needed this year. I was reminded that leadership requires real listening. As we prepared for the fall, we needed to listen to the health and safety concerns raised by faculty, staff, and parents. If we didn’t listen earnestly, we couldn’t act accordingly. I was constantly reminded that good leadership requires clear communication—it doesn’t matter how thorough our planning is if we aren’t clearly sharing it and the rationale behind it with our community.

I was reminded that leadership always requires dedicated teams—our Covid Task Force deserves so much credit for our planning, implementation, and ongoing work this year. Finally, I was reminded that in order to give to others, you have to give to yourself. As much as possible, I prioritized exercise, sleep (as restless as it sometimes was!) and family, knowing that my battery needed to be charged in order to best serve others and the school. In no way was my leadership without flaw, yet I’m so proud of what we collectively accomplished this year.

In the pages of this issue you will read about the philosophy and approach we take at Peck to teaching leadership, the myriad opportunities for students to practice it, and many examples of how students lead in both big and small ways in our community and in the community at large. You will also read about the many amazing leaders we have at The Peck School, from our Board President Dr. Suba Shah to our Director of Facilities Mike Zulla. In addition, you will meet two incredible Peck alums who have taken the leadership skills and InDeCoRe values instilled at Peck and made an impact in the world beyond 247 South Street.

We need incredible leaders now more than ever. We need leaders who care deeply, leaders who listen earnestly, leaders who act respectfully, and leaders who show courage. I am confident that the students who graduate from Peck leave ready to become the great leaders of tomorrow. They have not only learned core academics, but they have learned how to think critically, understand their impact on the world around them, and appreciate the notion of ‘consideration of others’ in all that they do.

Warmly,

Andrew C. Delinsky, Head of School