--- title: | John Baird description: 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. --- [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hs-fs/file-2454828850-png/Westtown-Feb2015/logo_graphic.png?width=68&height=68&name=logo_graphic.png)](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=1) [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hs-fs/file-2451508821-png/Westtown-Feb2015/logo_text.png) Spirited Quaker education since 1799](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=1) # 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](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/election-season-teachable-moments) Posted by [John Baird](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/author/john-baird) on September 22, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hubfs/Vote.jpg)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/election-season-teachable-moments) --- 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.** [Read More](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/election-season-teachable-moments) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/election-season-teachable-moments#comments-listing) Topics: [Communication and Children](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/communication-and-children), [Inspiring the Best in Kids](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/inspiring-the-best-in-kids) [All posts](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/all) ### Subscribe to Our Blog ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Inspiring the Best in Kids (46)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/inspiring-the-best-in-kids) - [Raising Resilient, Healthy Teens (29)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/raising-resilient-healthy-teens) - [Help with learning (19)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/help-with-learning) - [Communication and Children (18)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/communication-and-children) - [Raising Resilient Lower and Middle Schoolers (7)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/raising-resilient-lower-and-middle-schoolers) - [sustainability (4)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/sustainability) - [Building Self-Esteem in Teens (3)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/building-self-esteem-in-teens) - [How to get your teen to talk (3)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/how-to-get-your-teen-to-talk) - [How to Pick the Best Independent School in Philly (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/how-to-pick-the-best-independent-school-in-philly) - [How to manage the mood swings (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/how-to-manage-the-mood-swings) - [Student Life at Westtown (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/student-life-at-westtown) - [Westtown Picks (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/westtown-picks) - [Summer Camps (1)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/summer-camps) see all 975 Westtown Road West Chester, PA 19382 610.399.0123 [Contact Us](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=498#) - - - - [Apply Now](https://mbp.westtown.edu/SeniorApps/facelets/registration/loginCenter.xhtml?appId=AD) [Make A Gift](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=979) Westtown School, a Quaker Pre-K -12th grade co-ed, private, college preparatory day and boarding school, offers a challenging and diverse curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, service and social action. Since 1799, we have been committed to character education and innovation. We inspire and prepare our graduates to become stewards and leaders of a better world. [Apply Now](https://mbp.westtown.edu/SeniorApps/facelets/registration/loginCenter.xhtml?appId=AD) [Make A Gift](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=979) Westtown School, a Quaker Pre-K -12th grade co-ed, private, college preparatory day and boarding school, offers a challenging and diverse curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, service and social action. Since 1799, we have been committed to character education and innovation. We inspire and prepare our graduates to become stewards and leaders of a better world. 975 Westtown Road West Chester, PA 19382 610.399.0123 [Contact Us](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=498#) - - - - - [powered by finalsite](http://www.finalsite.com/)