To be truly curious is to be compelled by the joy of learning. We see our classroom experiences as a launching point of our learning, not the endpoint. This causes us to push the boundaries of our learning environments so we can pursue unexplored knowledge. We find immense satisfaction in the discovery of new ideas and understandings, and we love to share them with the world.

Being an advocate is raising one’s voice to create change. When we advocate, we harness the power of our voice to affect change both in our own lives and in our community. Our advocacy is how we exercise and demand our power. We cultivate the creativity necessary to envision a better future, and the courage to take action to make that vision a reality.

 We believe what we create together will always be more powerful than what we can do alone. Our relationships with others make us stronger. Because we see the immense value of the team, we actively embrace challenges, encourage open-mindedness, and develop shared leadership. Our ability to collaborate effectively ensures that our work will be exemplary because it encompasses a diversity of thought and perspectives.

If our voice is the source of our power, then our ability to communicate is how we wield our power. When we acknowledge the ways in which our differences make us stronger, we consequently engage in discussions with honesty, respect, and open-mindedness. We believe the purpose of communication is to convey our ideas in a way that inspires others to listen. To be successful, we must be transparent with our audience regarding our intent, purpose, and desired end goal.

To think critically is to intentionally consider arguments, evidence, and context in order to evaluate ideas and solve problems. Critical thinking is essential in our modern society, where information is just a click away because it allows us to engage thoughtfully with what we are presented and make sound judgments. When we think critically, we avoid taking information at face value. Instead, we carefully and thoroughly examine diverse ideas to develop our own perspectives.

When we take risks in our learning experience, we will inevitably encounter unfamiliar scenarios that stretch us to our limit. In these situations, we find ways to be adaptable because we know these are chances for us to grow the most. We are aware of the spaces we are comfortable in, and then we seek out opportunities to flex our muscles where we are not comfortable. We embrace feedback that helps us see other ways of thinking different than our own because we know that is how we make progress.