In the summer of 1882, Col. Francis W. Parker gave a series of talks to educators from across the country at the Martha’s Vineyard Summer Institute. At the time, Col. Parker was the superintendent of schools in Quincy, Massachusetts and was one of the most talked about and popular educators of his day.
Col. Parker believed that the greatest democratic ideal was to ensure that every school in the land “should be made a home and a heaven for each child.” An ideal that could only be accomplished by passionate, committed, and enlightened faculty who fully understood the true aim of education—the development of the whole child. He wrote:
“The motive [for the traditional teacher] commonly held up is the acquisition of a certain degree of skill and knowledge. The quantity of skill and knowledge is generally fixed by courses of study and the conventional examinations. This is a mistake. In contrast with this false motive of education, to wit, the gaining of skill and knowledge, I place what I firmly believe to be the true motive of all education, which is the harmonious development of the human being, body, mind and soul.
This truth has come to us gradually and in fragments from the great thinkers of the past. Knowledge and skill are simply the means and not the end, and these are to work toward the symmetrical upbuilding of the whole being. Another name for this symmetrical upbuilding is character, which should be the end and the aim of all education.” (1)
Words written over 125 years ago still ring true throughout our classrooms, studios, and athletic fields today. Our teachers understand deeply the profound responsibility they hold of creating a learning environment in which the whole being is developed and nurtured. Essential skills and attributes including character building and leadership training, teamwork and conflict resolution, empathy and self-reflection are embedded into the fabric of a Parker education. As we enter our 107th year of educating San Diego’s finest, my belief in our school—and those faculty and staff committed to the education of your children—has never been stronger.
As in the tradition, each fall I am pleased to hold a Town Hall Meeting open to all of our parents. The informal setting allows for you to ask questions about all things Parker. I look forward to having you join me on October 24 at 8:30 am in the Szekeley Auditorium on the Mission Hills Campus.
Best,
Kevin
(1) Talks on Teaching, Francis W. Parker (1885)
