"איזהו מכובד המכבד את הבריות." ("Who is honorable? One who honors others.")

 – Pirkei Avot (4:1)

Dear Friends,

The quote above from Pirkei Avot teaches us that when we value the uniqueness in others as banim l'HaShem, our own unique value manifests in turn. At WTA, we apply this philosophy to all that we do, so that everyone who walks through our doors–children and adults alike–feel Seen, Known, and Valued for who they are, and for the distinctive gifts and talents they are blessed to share. To illustrate, I recently heard a story about a young boy who once (before everyone had cell phones) asked a storekeeper if he could use the telephone. The man said yes, and directed him to the phone at the back of the store. After the boy dialed the number, the storekeeper couldn't help overhearing the conversation, in which the boy tried every possible argument to persuade the person at the other end of the line to hire him to cut their grass, water their flowers, and otherwise take care of their property. But no matter what the boy offered, the prospective employer declined politely, declaring how happy and satisfied they were with their current landscaper. When at last the boy hung up the phone, the storekeeper turned to him and said, "Poor kid. I'm so sorry you didn't get the job." To which the boy replied, "Thanks, but I didn't need the job, because I already have it. I just wanted to know what they thought about me."

Children, especially, want and need to feel that they matter. When students share their authenticity and are appreciated for it by the community, it has a powerful impact on their academic performance and well-being. WTA students learn to wield their expertise, skills, and experiences across various academic disciplines on an educational journey that weaves together all the elements of their identities as they organically unfold, enabling them to increase academic and social-emotional growth through a sense of personal responsibility and positive core values. The intentionality of this approach helps students thrive by cultivating their strengths and abilities, building resilience, and establishing close connections with teachers and peers. For more than a decade, the educators and staff at WTA have been dedicated to creating a nurturing learning environment of love and support, where students are encouraged to explore their curiosity and creativity, develop self-confidence tempered with anavah/modesty, interact effectively with others, appreciate the lasting importance of learning and, above all, recognize that everyone in our WTA community Sees, Knows, and Values each of them for the unique and special people they are today, while holding the highest aspirations for those they will one day, בעז”ה, grow to become.

I am so proud to be part of the WTA family,

Deganit Ronen

Head of School