From the Director: The Way Learning Happens

Director Amani Reed reflects on the first few weeks of school.
Dear USN community,

Each day begins with a walk to Lower School with my friends who ride the bus in the morning. We have time to talk about what is on their mind. Topics have included the book they are reading and the superpower they would have if they could choose. Last week as we gathered, we also watched High School students preparing to leave on their retreats. My Lower School friends had so many questions: Where are they going? What will they be doing? Will I get to go too? They also had some very astute observations: They look nervous … and excited. I have that same Squishmallow. My Lower School friends were so excited to see a glimpse of themselves in High Schoolers about to embark on this trip.

Later in the week, I was able to join seniors for the senior induction ceremony during their retreat. I heard stories of appreciation for each other and tales from their time together at USN. The memories they shared were about their time in Lower School, the teams they were on, their productions, and the laughs that they had together. They remembered what it was like to be new at USN and the moments that made them feel connected to the community.

In so many ways this is what education is about — being able to find yourself in your learning. Seeing the ways in which you as an individual are part of something much bigger than yourself. Listening to seniors discuss the important role they play in shaping the culture of the school was inspiring. I understand how meaningful their time on Edgehill has been and the pride they take in ensuring this is a place where future seniors will feel the same sense of pride and belonging they do.

As we continue to think about the future of USN, we must consider the way learning happens. Both groups of students saw themselves at another stage of life at USN. We must ask: How do we ensure our students are challenged and supported at each and every stage of this journey? How do we center the quest for knowledge that can better our community and the communities we serve? 

The answers to these questions will help us. In the end, we know the world is changing and the path to college and what follows their time at USN continues to evolve, and yet our goals remain the same. We want our students to be well prepared for any and all of the challenges that they might face. We want them to meet their intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, while still holding true to the values of our community: integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, all of this in the pursuit of excellence.
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2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212

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USN Mission: 
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.