Examining Impact: How We Can Make a Difference

In what ways do you observe or feel Impact?

You might think of the impact you have had on someone, whether that be family, a friend, or someone you don’t know. Maybe you consider the ways that others have impacted you, influencing your decisions, behaviors, and/or tastes. Your thoughts could also lead to larger questions, such as: What is my impact? Who has made an impact on my life? How will I impact the future?

Each academic year since 2000-01, The Willows has centered its curriculum and activities around a school-wide theme, and the 2022-2023 school-wide theme is Impact. The theme connects students across grade levels and promotes innovative methods of thinking. Impact explores the many ways we embrace and create impact at school, in our homes, and across greater communities. It builds upon the 2021-2022 theme, Dream, demonstrating the power that a fully-realized dream can have once implemented in the real world. Learning about the progression from an idea to an impact is key and exposes students to challenges that focus on creative problem-solving and social-emotional reflection.

The annual theme is incorporated into the curriculum in conjunction with the RULER approach from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. The approach is based on five main skills that exhibit and promote emotional intelligence. However, one skill in particular stands out when considering Impact. That is Understanding: “being able to understand the causes and consequences of emotions.” (www.rulerapproach.org) Accurately determining why and how oneself and others are being impacted is especially important in being a conscious learner. The Willows consistently integrates these social-emotional skills with academic ones in teachings, striving to produce balanced and confident students.

Impact cannot just be theoretical; it must be measured in practice. The Willows teachers and staff understand the value of practice and impart this concept with their students. To gain a teacher and an administrative perspective, we asked Willows faculty and staff the same question that started this piece: In what ways do you observe and feel Impact?

“I observe Impact by seeing kindness around our campus every day. I truly think kindness goes a long way. One motto I try to live by daily is “kindness is free, sprinkle that stuff everywhere!” Displaying kindness through all of our actions makes a huge impact by spreading positivity and warm smiles. Kindness is contagious!” – Mae Farol, 4A

“Impact can be seen in the creative walls of an engaging classroom. Impact can be seen on a child’s face when a lesson really clicks. Students impact each other with shared ideas and the joy of collaborating together on class projects. The impact of the Ruler program can be seen when students check in on one another to see how they are doing and are friendly to all community members walking the halls or the yard.” – Geoff Agnor, Assistant Head of School for Academics

“I see Impact in the way graduating eighth graders carry themselves with poise, confidence, and joy. The Willows’ DK-8 experience is priceless in its ability to help each child blossom into their best self and go into the next chapter of their lives knowing who they are and how they can find success.” – Liz Stocksdale, Middle School, Math & Science

“In what ways do I observe Impact?  I see how my children have impacted me through their struggles or happiness.  I especially felt the impact when my son left for college for the first time, not when I dropped him off but when I woke up the next morning, and he didn’t come out to say, “what’s for breakfast.” – Phil Lee, Blue Kindergarten

As our teachers and students continue to consider their impact throughout the school year, we encourage you to do the same. Jane Goodall stated that “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” The Willows is committed to making a positive impact on our community by educating and molding the next generation of innovators, leaders, and scholars.