Head's Message Archives

January 18, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Like most of Minnesota, I am officially caught up in the epidemic of Viking Fever. I was on my feet, jumping and yelling, scaring the rest of the family, as Case Keenum connected with Stefan Diggs for the game winning touchdown. Dubbed the “Minneapolis Miracle” by sportscaster Paul Allen, the play appeared to be a stroke of good fortune, an incredibly lucky catch. Truth be told, the play is a common one in the Vikings playbook and had been run several times earlier in the game. What seems to be luck is actually the result of a well-run team, good players, a strong culture, and having the right people in the right roles.

I learned a valuable lesson several years into my career as an administrator, long before I came to MPA. I was faced with the challenge of replacing a much beloved, incredible English teacher who had decided to retire. She was a tough, demanding teacher who was respected for her ability to push students to become excellent writers and prepare them well for the demands of college. Worried about continuing her tradition of excellence in teaching, I made a hiring decision based predominantly on the desired skill set. The new teacher was good at teaching English, but not so good at teaching students.

My mistake was not fully realizing the importance of mission, of character, of hiring for the “heart” of a teacher. What I have learned from my past experience is that one can become a better teacher, but someone needs to have the heart of a teacher first and foremost. MPA has been fortunate to have a strong school culture built and fostered by teachers that not only have the heart, but they are also masters of their craft. They are committed to continuous improvement and lifelong learning.

Living Lives of Health and Wholeness

January 11, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Today, Middle School students met in mixed-grade level groups to explore the character trait of perseverance, a core pillar of our Middle School Character Education Program. Each group collaborated to complete two separate challenges related to fostering perseverance and then processed their experience with their teachers. Learning from failure, working together, developing skills such as persistence and tenacity were all a part of the lesson, but in the spirit of MPA, there was also a lot of joyful learning taking place.

Character education is but one part of an overall Mounds Park Academy wellness program. The MPA Strategic Plan, Momentum 2020, has as its first goal, “Empower students to live, learn, and thrive in the 21st century globalized society.” Academic and career success are important and MPA provides students a rigorous and relevant curriculum. But as a school committed to educating the whole child, we also understand that in order to reach one’s full potential, students must also have the knowledge and skills necessary live lives of health and wholeness.

Mental illness and anxiety among young people are on the rise. For instance, by the age of 18, 15-25 percent of adolescents will have experienced a major depressive episode. We also know that suicide is the second leading cause of death for Americans ages 15-34. A recent New York Times article quoted research from the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA that found the percentage of college freshmen reporting feeling overwhelmed rose from 18 percent in 1985 to 29 percent in 2010 and surged to 41 percent last year. These facts paint a grave picture—one that illustrates clearly how critical our work is in this area.

Fostering Citizen Scientists

January 4, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Just before break, the Washington Post reported that seven words were being banned from official documents being prepared for the 2018 budget at the Centers for Disease Control including “evidence-based” and “science-based.” The national conversation around “fake news” and questions about the veracity of climate change have placed science and science education at center stage. In addition, the steady drumbeat calling for more STEM education has ignited a passionate discourse about science education, particularly within a liberal arts education. In the midst of this often-polarizing discussion, I have repeatedly seen evidence that MPA does science ‘right’ by focusing on applied learning, critical thinking, and a grounding in fostering students to become citizen scientists.

The MPA science curriculum is founded on the principles of active and inquiry-based learning as first developed when the school was in its infancy. Our phenomenal science teachers continue to provide rich, thoughtful, experiences and opportunities for experimental design, while at the same time giving students the background and content they need to succeed in college and beyond. MPA students are encouraged to think critically about science by using their successes and failures in the lab as learning opportunities. What worked? What didn’t? How could it have been improved? Did it prove anything? These questions are best answered through learning by doing.

Generation Z

December 14, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

You may have heard that MPA ninth grade student, Maya Peterson, wrote a book for young people about the importance of investing. Her book, Early Bird: The Power of Investing Young, was recently published by Amazon and makes the point that it is not too early for young people to begin investing in the stock market and provides valuable insights and motivation to do so. Although I have not yet read Maya’s book, one theme seems to emerge: that investing in the stock market is one way for young people to make a social impact on the world.

Much of what led Maya to write her book reflect the hopes and characteristics of her generation, Generation Z. A great deal of research has been done and is sometimes contradictory. While it is challenging to reduce a diverse group of people to a series of attributes, there are themes that emerge that are useful for parents, educators, employers, marketers, industry, etc. Read More

Your Presence is Essential

November 30, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

If I could, I would mandate that all parents attend the upcoming parent education night on Tuesday, December 12 at 6:30 PM. In partnership with the Parents Association, MPA is offering a showing of the acclaimed documentary, Screenagers, followed by a discussion facilitated by teachers and administrators. As an educator, I see firsthand the effects of social media, video games, and internet addiction and have grave concerns regarding their effect, developmentally, academically, socially, and mentally on the wellness and happiness of our children.

As a family, we struggle with finding the right balance between allowing our children to make decisions about their screen time and asserting ourselves with what we know, or think, is best for them. We have made a conscious decision against having internet access and television at our cabin. Mateo and Ari will complain all the way up but quickly, without them even noticing, find creative ways to spend their time once we are there. Up to this point, neither of them have a smartphone. However, Ari reminds me (almost daily) that she is the only sixth grader without one. I’m not so sure I believe her!

A Manifestation of Hope

November 16, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Being a parent today is hard work. Like you, I worry a lot about the world my children are growing up in. Uncertainty about the political and social climate of our country and world, increasing access and use of social media and use of screens by our children, fears about bullying and sexual harassment, violence in our schools, churches, and communities, and a rise of anxiety and depression among young people, are just a few examples of my greatest worries.

Parenting is tough. I am frequently unsure of the line between being engaged and supportive and being overbearing. Studies have found that an overbearing or anxious parenting style can induce anxiety and risk-aversion in kids. Knowing that only makes me more uncertain!

MPA is by no means perfect, but as a parent, I take great comfort knowing that my daughter is experiencing her adolescence in a safe, nurturing and caring community. The values of our family are reflected in the values of MPA. The Middle School character education program, together with social emotional learning, bring comfort to me and reinforce values we teach at home.

College Years

November 9, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

A week ago, I had the pleasure of attending a social event at Dellwood Country Club organized by the MPA Parents of Alumni Association. The event brought together parents who have MPA graduates currently in college. It was a spirited group—all were very excited to talk with one another and share stories of how their children are faring at school. I enjoyed hearing from them and learning how well their children felt prepared for college after MPA. In addition to feeling prepared, I frequently hear that many of our alumni are assisting their friends and roommates with schoolwork and/or teaching them how to study and manage their time.

Another common observation that I hear from parents of alumni is that they continue to develop relationships with their professors. In the words of one parent of alumni, “My child has transitioned beautifully to college. She knows how to advocate for herself and how to learn. I am amazed by her ability to access teachers and get her questions answered. I couldn’t be more pleased with her high school experience.” Because of the meaningful relationships they form with their MPA teachers, they have the same confidence and comfort to talk to their professors after class or visit them during office hours. In some instances, this has led to internships or research assistant opportunities.

Finding Balance In Today’s World

October 26, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

I am having a hard time finding balance these days. I think I am pretty good at the work-home balance, but achieving a physical balance is another matter. This week, I broke a bone in my foot and one in my ankle while on an afternoon run. Even with crutches, maintaining a balance is a challenge.

Maintaining balance and achieving well-being seem to be increasingly difficult in today’s society. It is challenging for adults and even more so for our children. It is well documented that anxiety and depression are on the rise for our young people. There are a number of reasons that can be attributed to this growing problem. The pressure of academic achievement, the drive for perfection, homework, and worries about getting into the “right” college can make it difficult for young people to find balance. Social media is also partly to blame. While the data is not yet conclusive, researchers believe the use of social media and smartphones appear to be culpable for the increase in teen mental health. (Jean Twenge, “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?” The Atlantic, Sept. 2017)

Many years ago, MPA initiated a very unique and innovative marketing campaign. One of the taglines was “Competition belongs in the boardroom, not the classroom.” I think it speaks to one of the most distinctive attributes of MPA. Students work hard at achieving good grades, but not at the expense of their relationships with one another and with their teachers. We have a collaborative environment where students support one another and work to achieve their personal best, not to beat their classmates.

The Joy of Giving

October 12, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

I am a loyal listener to MPR. I rely on it to stay current and up-to-date with what is happening in the world and in our community. It also keeps Ari and me company on the commute to and from school from our home in southwest Minneapolis. We listen to it so often that she may be one of the few middle schoolers who considers Tom Crann and Robert Siegel to be celebrities.

As faithful as I am to MPR, I don’t look forward to the seasonal (bothersome) pledge drives. However, I was pleased last fall when Ari asked me if she could use some of her own money to become a member of MPR. Maybe it was the free socks that motivated her but I know she values the conversations we have about what we hear on MPR. I hope she gave because she has come to realize that philanthropic giving is important to us as a family.

The Journey to MPA

October 5, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

My first impression of MPA was in 1995 and came from a neighbor whose son attended MPA. We had just bought a house in Afton and were in the process of meeting our neighbors. Our next door neighbors spoke so highly of the school and their son struck me as both bright and affable and immediately had a favorable impression of MPA. Even though I taught down the street at Hill-Murray, I did not know much at all about MPA. I made a mental note to myself that I should learn more about the school as my interaction with my neighbors peaked my curiosity.

Josh and Trish Hanson, parents of Lower School students Finley, Liv, and Willa, first heard of MPA in a similar way. Josh recalls, “Another neighbor, the Nickoski’s, attend MPA and love it. That was what initially piqued our interest to learn more. We attended an open house and we were immediately hooked.”

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