From the Headmaster’s Desk:

(The following is an abbreviated transcript of a middle
school student’s interview with our new Headmaster)

Why did you choose to come to the Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Academy?

Joining the Meyer Academy for me was not only a professional consideration but it was also one that I needed to seriously consider as a parent. When I toured the school the first time I recognized an appreciation and respect for learning that was a critical component.  As a Headmaster I advocate to the students the value of education as an essential building-block value for all future happiness and success in life, so seeing it first hand was essential.  As a parent, I was looking for a school where the education was more than what just happens in the classroom; I was looking for a school that believed in the education of the “whole child”; and Meyer had that in leaps and bounds.

What were some of the other things you noticed when you came?

Having over 20 years of professional experience in education I saw Meyer as possessing a strong foundation on which I could work with the other faculty and staff to continue building and growing for years to come. The students at Meyer have an enthusiasm and passion for learning, the faculty is dedicated to excellence, and the parents and broader community are committed to providing the best educational opportunities for the children. It is this spirit of B'yachad [“togetherness”] of all these stakeholders that supports the Jewish ideal that our students are not only our children, but are also the future leaders of our country and the Jewish people.

How do you communicate what you saw to someone who doesn’t see what you see, and who doesn’t have the educational background that you have?

The Meyer Academy offers a unique combination of academic subjects, arts courses, athletic opportunities, and spiritual enrichment that is essential in order to nurture the individuality of each child. The students here have the opportunity to learn to differentiate between “wisdom” and “knowledge”.  While knowledge is “knowing” the information; wisdom is knowing what to do with the information.  The Meyer Academy curriculum is built on developing the children’s critical thinking skills, nurturing active ownership in their learning process, and enhancing leadership experiences for their future success in life.  With student-teacher ratios healthy enough to ensure personalized relationships and individualized instructional opportunities, Meyer promotes every child’s pursuit to maximize his or her personal strengths.

And if that isn’t enough, in addition to the rigorous curriculum, Meyer Academy also focuses on “Seeing the World Through a Jewish Lens”. We foster a respect for self, school, and community that prepares the students to live in a complex world beyond Meyer. Our graduates cherish their Jewish identity and are respectful, caring, committed members of the broader community.

So what can we expect to see now that you’re here?

We are currently in our first year of a five-year Strategic Plan, a roadmap for the Meyer Academy to achieve its vision of empowering and motivating all the children to achieve their greatest potential. My administrative team and I, along with the members of the Board of Trustees, are committed to ensuring that Meyer Academy not only provide an unparalleled academic education but also does so in a nurturing environment that encourages each child's neshamah [“soul’] to soar.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the world?

I’d love to take this opportunity to invite anyone who hasn’t yet visited our school since I’ve arrived to come take our “senses” test.  Come tour our school and feel the excitement in the air; see the amazing things happening in the classrooms and around campus; hear our students’ critical thinking; and taste the sweet joy of learning.   To witness first-hand the dynamic and exciting educational processes that is occurring daily at Meyer Academy is a very special and unique experience.  Who knows, if the visit is around lunchtime, maybe we’ll even smell the aromas of our daily catered hot student meals as an added bonus!