Gray Matters, December 2024
A Message of Gratitude
Wide-ranging and abundant research supports the fact that giving and receiving thanks is good for you! Here is one article of many that articulates the benefits of gratitude. Specifically, gratitude research makes clear the added significance of both targeted and explicit expressions of gratitude. In other words, general “thank you’s” are nice, but an expression of thanks to someone for something specific has the most meaning and impact on the giver and receiver.
With the Thanksgiving holiday newly in our rearview mirror and the winter holidays fast approaching, I want to take a moment to express gratitude. Capitol Hill Day School has much for which to give thanks. I am personally grateful for the support of families, the commitment of our faculty and staff, and the enthusiasm of children. The Capitol Hill Day School community is warm and wonderful. It is through this community that we collectively create what I believe is an ideal environment for learning, one that is simultaneously challenging, joyful, and engaging. Given our small size and our intentionality, individuals at Capitol Hill Day School come to know that others in our community are supportive and that learning is a collaborative and cooperative process.
As many of you have probably heard me say, learning is most concisely defined as a struggle with ambiguity. There is no clear path to understanding; creativity and critical thinking come from our willingness to embrace vulnerability and take risks. Facing the ambiguity inherent in the learning process can be a daunting task. Learners need to feel comfortable to face challenges and trust that mistakes will be met with support and guidance. It is imperative that a teaching and learning environment elicit feelings of safety and belonging. As an educator, I believe that there is no warmer sense of security than that which results from the strong sense of connection found throughout the Capitol Hill Day School community.
Every day, I am grateful to be part of this wonderful community of children, educators, and families. As I move through our buildings the warm hellos I receive never fail to lift my spirits. The creative and collaborative engagement I observe always fills my heart with pride. Nothing gives me more joy or a better feeling of hope than watching young children learn. Thankfully, the opportunities for these observations at Capitol Hill Day School are boundless!
During this season of gratitude, we asked several students what they are grateful for. I invite you to watch this video to experience some of the joy, warmth, and humor that fill our school each day.
