Did you know that we are now at a stage in Carlson's history where our former Applied Learning students have become Applied Learning parents? We have several now, and last week, I hosted a tour that included two. At one point, I shared the significance of portfolios and the responsibilities children have in developing them each year. One parent expressed gratitude for our ongoing commitment to this tradition, which impacted her academic success later in life.
I received an email in early January from a former student who hopes to enroll her child in kindergarten at Carlson. She shared how Carlson influenced her professional career. Her teacher always told her, "Katy, you have things to say." Now, when I visit classrooms, I hear phrases like "You have things to say" and "Writing is power."
A current teacher at Carlson mentioned that her daughter has a professional interview coming up and is prepared because she is a "Carlson kid." She was taught how to communicate effectively and share her strengths well.
I stopped a staff member in the hallway during a tour and asked her to share her perspective on Carlson as a former parent who is now a staff member. She stated that her three older children, independently of one another, have thanked her and her husband for sending them to Carlson, stating that we taught them how to think.
I share these moments because it’s essential to celebrate the unique and intentional magic of our educational model. While we continually evaluate and reflect on our practices, there are important aspects of our approach that elevate our students' success beyond their journey with us. We appreciate these reminders, and as a community, it’s important for you to know so we can celebrate together.
