Through 2021 and into the start of 2022, the Trustees had the privilege of engaging in a series of discussions with Head of School Kim Samson to learn about her vision for Beaver. Kim shared a framework for the ways that Beaver would continue to approach expanding the nature of school for every student:
Beaver will focus on expanding the nature of school by developing deeper learning through evolving next practices in education, supported by a healthy community culture with a future-focused approach.
Developing strategic priorities for any organization needs to be more than creating a checklist; it is a focused, thoughtful, and succinct way to streamline institutional goals while giving members the flexibility to evolve, improve, and do the things we do well even better. Working with her team, Kim prioritizes making decisions that honor our core values. This work takes time and many voices.
Below BVR trustees share their observations on this work:
Bijan Sabet P’20, BVR Trustee
Founder of Spark Capital
“Not many kids have the chance to learn like kids at BVR. Our daughter Ellie ’20 was exposed to several BVR courses—including Entrepreneurship as a 10th grader—where she developed a new idea, recruited a team of fellow students, built a business plan, made some mistakes, iterated, and gained real feedback from mentors in the industry. Ellie found her voice and her passion and this all played a big part in a transformational experience in high school and continues to serve her well in college. These skills are what I look for when meeting with entrepreneurs every day: The more exposure and practice of this, the better. Kim’s vision to deepen the ways in which each student can have these compelling experiences with deep learning, and with outside partners, is a big part of the differentiated Beaver education.”
Charles Argyle P’18, ‘19, BVR Trustee
Former Vice Chairman, Wellington Management
“Alongside my colleagues on the Board, I have had the privilege of a front-row seat to witness Kim embracing her responsibilities amidst extraordinary circumstances, balancing leadership and compassion, while contemporaneously developing a set of thoughtful and innovative ideas to ensure Beaver remains at the forefront of education well into the future. We are impressed by both her approach and her vision, and I have every confidence that under her leadership, cohorts of students will benefit from the ever-evolving Beaver experience that transformed my children’s education.
Kim’s view on education is broad and deep, and she has shown the Board her ability to honor Beaver’s history and innovative approach to teaching. But most importantly from my perspective, she is resolutely focused on the horizon, looking ahead for opportunities to further expand, evolve and nourish the learning environment. As we evolve away from the prevailing backdrop of the past two years, I am excited that there will be more opportunities for the broader BVR community to get to know Kim in both formal and informal settings, because I am confident that they will come to know her as the Board does: as a thoughtful and caring leader committed to serving others, and dedicated to ensuring that Beaver has the ethos, resources, and environment for all students to fulfill their unique potentials. I know few will be smiling more broadly than Kim when they do.”
Wendy Fischman ’89 P’25, BVR Trustee
Project Zero, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Co-author, The Real World of College
“At Beaver, learning is central to every experience. In classrooms, the design level, art studios, and on the fields, the goal is for students to participate in active learning—thinking, inventing, discussing, critiquing, reflecting, and writing. Here, learning is not a means to an end (for a test or a final project), but rather a process—one that can be drawn upon in college and future work—for a lifetime.
Kim’s vision for ‘deeper learning,’ an approach to help students think across disciplines and to work collaboratively with others in school and out of school, will encourage our students to gain more perspective, experience different approaches to work, become independent thinkers, and develop more empathy for those around them.
As an alum, as a parent, and as a board member, I am proud that Kim is focused on both developing good students for future learning endeavors and for developing responsible citizens. We need young people to be prepared to navigate and solve the ‘real world’ problems we all face.”