On the day before the First Day of School, Malvern Prep faculty and staff heard an inspiring talk from one of the nation’s leading voices in education.  Pat Bassett, president of the National Association of Independent Schools, spoke passionately for nearly two hours to a group that included faculty from Villa Maria Academy, Notre Dame Academy, LaSalle High School and Devon Prep.

Bassett, who has been president of NAIS for ten years, spoke of the many challenges facing both educators and students in the 21st century.  He spoke of paradoxes – “Many children love school but they hate classes” – and he spoke with poetic clarity – “The best teachers put interesting problems in the path of children.” 

He also urged teachers to organize their curriculum around project learning featuring real and relevant lessons that develop what he termed the five Cs: Critical thinking, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity and Character.

Bassett will address Malvern Prep parents on Tuesday night, Aug. 30, at 7:00 p.m.