DA Newsroom

Since starting his eighth-grade elective course, STEAM by Design, in 2017, Karl Schaefer has presented his students with opportunities to explore cutting-edge technology in innovative ways. More importantly, though, he’s taught important life lessons.

It will be really exciting to witness the directions in which the students take this new model of student government. If the polished, substantive and engaging election speeches are any indication, we are certainly bound for some great achievements.

Salad on the floor, beef stew on bus seats, grease-stained shirts, torn paper flower decorations — these were some of the messes made by the seventh-grade class as they planned, shopped for, cooked and served a meal for 250 people in the community café at Urban Ministries of Durham.

Since my arrival on July 2, my primary goal has been to listen and learn. Because much of my work happens with students, faculty and administrators, we are in constant communication about what I’m hearing and discovering about DA.

Integrity. It is a value we uphold. We want our family, friends, teachers, students, coaches, leaders to act with integrity. Integrity means being honest, moral, decent, fair. Because the word comes from the Latin integer, integrity also means being whole, consistent, true to values, true to self.

Some of the most rewarding moments in my day are revealed when a student takes something that exists, an idea or a curious question and creates something new. That perspective may not show up on a pencil-and-paper test, a timed test, or an assignment in which he or she is momentarily demonstrating proficiency.