A Note from our Incoming Head
Dear Miquon Community,
I remember the first time I heard of The Miquon School. I was a third and fourth grade teacher at a Progressive school in the Hudson Valley, NY. As I planned my classes, I found materials initially developed at Miquon, and I felt a deep sense of camaraderie with the school for how it encouraged the ways in which children learn.
Twenty years later, I am honored, humbled, and excited to join The Miquon School as its next Principal. The opportunity to become a part of this community and steward its mission as Principal is a privilege, and I look forward to earning your trust as we work together in service of this profoundly special place. I deeply respect the ways in which Miquon honors its history as it responds to the challenges and possibilities that the future brings, with authenticity, compassion, and innovation. Schools are dynamic places. At Miquon, staff, families, and students alike share the work of crafting Progressive, student-centered learning experiences and building enduring community relationships. I take on this new role with great anticipation of what we can achieve together, as well as appreciation of all that you’ve done over the past 90 years to bring the school to this moment (I really can’t wait to say “we”).
I was inspired by my visit in October; all around me I saw a community committed to Miquon’s mission. Staff worked to imagine inventive and Progressive teaching that “treasures and celebrates childhood.” Students were engaged in learning, and classroom walls reflected the creativity of learners. I even had the pleasure of being introduced to Billy Sparkle, a snake denizen that young learners and their teachers had found outside their classroom. The children made a sign about their new friend and they told me all the details about their discovery in a way that reflected true engagement and joy. In that brief interaction, I saw the magical dynamic between teachers and children in the learning spaces of the outdoors. I saw first hand Miquon’s core tenets, “Children’s curiosity and initiative are integral to their education” and “The natural world is a place to learn,” seamlessly demonstrated. It was glorious.
I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the search committee and the Board of Directors for leading such a thoughtful process that allowed me to meet so many members of the Miquon community. Thank you to all of the staff, students, parents/guardians, alumni, and Board members for being so generous with your time and sharing your perspectives. I am especially appreciative of the students with whom I met. Their profound love for their school, their sense of stewardship of Miquon’s traditions, and their candid curiosity spoke volumes about how special Miquon is.
I look forward to beginning the process of learning from and getting to know more of the Miquon community. Until we meet again, I wish you a productive, joyful, and peaceful year.
Warmly,
Geetha
