By Sam Uzwack, Head of School

When I was at the University of Washington earning my master’s in teaching, one of the required courses focused on integration of disciplines. After visiting the Henry Art Gallery for inspiration, my group decided to create an integrated unit on the concept of revolution, blending Spanish, history, and literature. Working out of my Capitol Hill apartment, we started just after dinner, trying out new ideas, abandoning some, refining others. Time seemed to stand still, and the energy and ideas kept flowing. Before we knew it, it was 3:30 in the morning, and we laughed at ourselves for losing track of time (and no, the project was not due the next day!).

As I look back on my experience at UW, that evening/early morning would prove to be a profound moment. The three of us entered a state of maximum engagement in our work that channeled creativity, camaraderie, and simple joy into the task at hand. The requirements of the project, rather than serving as obstacles, provided a playground of sorts. In short, the process invigorated rather than enervated.

It is this level of engagement we strive for as we design student experiences at EPS. It is a tall order, and we may not hit the mark every minute of every day, but helping students to understand their intrinsic motivations for learning, creating lessons and programs that seek to maximize student engagement, and remaining flexible and open-minded to the possibilities are key to the EPS approach to teaching and learning.

Another key feature of a successful student—determination—must come to the fore. Afterall, there are times when we all must power through. Providing the right balance is the art.

A couple of caveats…this is not to say that school is intended solely as “entertainment” for students. Another key feature of a successful student—determination—must come to the fore. Afterall, there are times when we all must power through. Providing the right balance is the art.
Inside the classroom, students observe the enthusiasm, creativity, and expertise of a faculty who are always improving their craft and pushing the envelope. They witness the joy that comes from true engagement, and that joy is contagious.

While our faculty design experiences with a direct eye on engagement, there is an equally powerful element that influences students…our own engagement in the pursuit of excellence. The degree to which our faculty and staff engage in the overall life of the school models the kind of engagement we expect from our students. Be it attending a play or game, leading a hiking trip to Mailbox Peak, or meeting with students during office hours, our engagement extends beyond the classroom into the greater school.

EPS also endeavors to cultivate a highly engaged parent/guardian community. The strength of the connections between home and school directly impacts the quality of the experience for our students. The school/home partnership is a powerful one, blending the expertise of those who know the student best and those who know education best. In the coming months, we seek to augment our already robust slate of opportunities for parents/guardians with new programming focused on student well-being.

EPS also endeavors to cultivate a highly engaged parent/guardian community. The strength of the connections between home and school directly impacts the quality of the experience for our students.

Finally, EPS seeks to strengthen our engagement in the broader community. We have long partnered with service organizations, the City of Kirkland, and nonprofits like Rainier Scholars. We now seek to become more intentional about forging partnerships that are mutually beneficial, all with an eye on providing students and teachers with experience and expertise that amplifies classroom learning.

As you read on, you’ll hear about a number of ways we seek to engage students in their own learning. These moments can be small or profound, but they all add up to an experience that seeks to promote an authentic love of learning rooted in joy and intrinsic interest. As the school year progresses, be sure to notice and highlight those special moments, for they are truly what learning is all about.