JA Missives

I have worked in independent schools for more than 30 years, as a teacher, teacher educator, Quaker educator, and an administrator. For me, early childhood and elementary education is the driver for how to think about teaching and learning, lifelong. I am motivated by teams who share in the hope of building coherent, values based, innovative educational models. I am devoted to pushing educators and parents to courageously commit to believing deeply in the essential value of childhood. Children need time to grow, and they rely on adults to make space for it, and to have faith in one another. Reflection, conversation, observation, and writing have helped me to coalesce some experiences, and my aim is to make them relevant beyond the school walls. I hope some of these essays, and missives can provoke anyone interested in human development, and especially those that have committed their lives to the purposeful work of raising children for a world that needs them.

I also hope some of the more pithy missives offer delight, and laughter, too, bringing all of us closer to the endlessly interesting journey of the developing child.

Jennifer McGann Arnest 2023