A Well-Lit Path: A Blog from Westtown School

John Baird

John Baird is Head of School at Westtown School in West Chester, PA. He started his career as a teacher of Biology, Environmental Studies and Religion, a dorm parent, a varsity coach, and chair of Religion and Human Values. He became Principal of Carolina Friends School in 1989, and came to Westtown as Head of School in 2002. He has been a Klingenstein Visiting Fellow at Teachers College at Columbia University, has served as a mentor in the Friends Council on Education Institute for Engaging Leadership and the University of Pennsylvania MA Program in Educational Leadership, and currently is on the Board of the Friends Council on Education.

Recent Posts

Election Season: Teachable Moments

Posted by John Baird on September 22, 2016


In a recent survey conducted by the Southern Poverty Law Center, over 2000 preK-12 teachers indicated that the current political campaign is having a disturbing impact on our children. They reported observing an increase in anti-Muslim or anti-immigrant sentiment, an increase in uncivil discourse, and a rise in sadness and fear.

We have a teachable moment this fall, an opportunity to create a different kind of dialogue in which we can talk about issues, and feelings, with empathy and respect; to practice the kindness and dignity we’re not always seeing in the world around us. Westtown has long practiced this kind of teaching, learning, and listening, focused on finding common ground and the common good.

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Topics: Communication and Children, Inspiring the Best in Kids