THE POWER OF
Perspectives By Jessica More
In a world where public dialogue is growing increasingly polarized, EA classrooms offer a positive vision of what can happen when a variety of perspectives meet, mix, and even challenge each other. When EA students and teachers with wide-ranging worldviews work and learn together, they recognize that there is power in seeing through others’ eyes. Our best learning experiences find ways to encourage students to understand other perspectives, helping them become more discerning and adaptable critical thinkers. They even become more globally-minded citizens with wide-reaching passions, relationships, and greater self-confidence. Assistant Head of School Paul Sanders explains that exposure to and appreciation of different perspectives is at the heart of learning. “We know that in classrooms and many other contexts, the collective wisdom of thoughtful groups often exceeds the sum of its parts,” he says. “This is why teams of people often find better solutions than talented individuals working alone. And it’s why the richest learning environments are those where differing perspectives have opportunities to learn from one another.” Fostering a rich learning environment is a priority for EA’s faculty and administrators. Beyond the classroom, our students have exposure to—and the opportunity to delve deeper into—environments that help them grow as individuals and community members. “I always recommend that students take every opportunity to connect with, and learn from, people who are different from them,” Mr. Sanders
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Connections
continues, “When considering May Term courses, Global Online Academy (GOA) courses, service experiences, extracurricular activities, celebrations of other faiths in Chapel, and much more, I believe that seeking opportunities to connect with people from wide-ranging backgrounds or perspectives creates powerful opportunities for growth.” Students who graduate from this learning environment can more easily connect abstract concepts to concrete examples that are drawn from a range of life experiences. This functions through the way that multiple vantage points disrupt cognitive functioning, stimulating an increased complexity with which they can approach issues. Studies have demonstrated that exposure to different viewpoints and hearing novel ideas in the classroom stimulates critical thinking, encourages perspective-taking, and increases empathy. These interpersonal skills are also essential in the workplace. Leading companies routinely attest that their workforces need to be trained in a wide range of educational environments that reflect the world in which they work. These companies want employees who represent all backgrounds, who have experience collaborating with diverse groups of people, and who can provide more creative approaches to problem-solving by integrating different perspectives. From the arts studio, to the classroom, to the athletic field, EA’s teachers and coaches work to infuse their instruction with varied viewpoints and nurture an environment where students respect and learn from each other.
