EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Since we began working with MI, our faculty has played a leadership role in its implementation in schools.We have hosted four MI conferences, each attracting 200+ educators from around the country and world. Our faculty has written two books designed for educators ( Celebrating Multiple Intelligences and Succeeding With Multiple Intelligences ). In addition our Head of School, Tom Hoerr, has written a book ( Becoming A Multiple Intelligences School )and scores of articles. Thousands of educators from near and far have come to visit us and observe in our classrooms. In the past three years, for example, visitors have come from as far away as Turkey,Norway, China, Iceland, New Zealand and South Africa.

The World's First MI Library


In December 2005 we opened the world’s first MI library.  Dr. Howard Gardner joined us to cut the ribbon! Our MI library is, first and foremost, a linguistic place. The walls are lined with books and more books. But that is just the beginning. The library, itself, is designed to support different intelligences; nooks and crannies abound, and tables facilitate collaboration. In addition, display cases, games and puzzles, art, white-boards, a fish tank, a wet-art area, and music systems with headphones support all of the intelligences.


More Than MI

While New City School is most often associated with implementing MI, there is more to us than that! We use year-long themes at every grade, as a way to frame curriculum and instruction. Coupled with our use of MI, the results is student experiences that are meaningful, rich, and fun. Our kindergarteners, for example, culminate their “Busy Body” theme by building life-size functioning human bodies. They share these with their parents at a breakfast in May. Our third graders create a diorama and written report to show their understanding of the Native American tribe and culture they studied in their theme, “Native Americans:Keepers of the Earth.”

Prior to our work with MI, we received much positive recognition for our work with diversity. We believe that part of our responsibility is to help students appreciate the differences of others. To that end, issues which advance diversity are an integral part of our curriculum.

Another important aspect of New City School that may not be obvious from observing a class is our belief in collegiality. As first set out by Roland Barth in Improving Schools From Within , the notion of collegiality simply means that everyone in the building must be a learner, children and adults alike. Much thought and energy is given to creating a setting in which collegiality is the norm.