Lise's Lens: September 10, 2026
Hello — and welcome to the first installment of Lise’s Lens of the 2026-27 school year! Lise’s Lens is my weekly blog, which is released every Thursday afternoon with the community newsletter. Take a look to find out what I’ve been reading, thinking about, and watching/listening to.
WHAT I'M READING
I must admit, I have never read any Wendell Berry (who recently passed away), but I came across a Substack last week that made me want to. The Substack is called Your High School Creative Writing Teacher, and it’s written by Liz Prather, a teacher in Kentucky. In reading her post “What Wendell Barry Taught Me About Being a Teacher,” I was reminded of the gift, power, and responsibility of being a teacher, and I’m so proud to stand alongside colleagues who truly embody this message. Here are some of the recollections the author shares about Berry that I found particularly inspirational:
“Because we were going to be English teachers, he expected a great deal from us — and was frustrated by our inability to think for ourselves. Every day, he told us to think, to rise above ignorance. He warned that bad writing would bring ‘boredom, tears, and shame’ in later life. A teacher’s job, he told us, was to arm children with tools against loneliness.”
“Berry believed literature mattered because life mattered. We didn’t read King Lear merely to know something about King Lear. We read it because we were trying to figure out how human beings should live with one another.”
“He wasn’t really teaching us composition as much as he was teaching us how to pay attention, think independently, live honestly, and take responsibility for our words and our lives.”
WHAT I'M THINKING ABOUT
The Energy and Power of Community
A new school year presents a rare gift: the chance to reset, redefine, and reach higher. I have recently been contemplating the quiet courage it takes for a student to embrace an unfamiliar challenge, the deep dedication our faculty bring to their craft, and the essential trust families place in our school. I am so proud to cultivate an environment where curiosity is celebrated, resilience is built, and every single voice feels a true sense of belonging. Education is never a solitary endeavor; it thrives on shared commitment. As we launch into these coming months, I am grounded in gratitude for this community and eager for the growth, connection, and discovery ahead.
WHAT I'M WATCHING/LISTENING TO
Our Incredible Students!
I’ve been watching all the places our students are occupying during this first week of school — they are everywhere, and it’s wonderful to see! Experiencing the pulse of our youth is such a vital part of kicking off a great school year. They are filling every corner, from the Library to the new patio, the Robin Wood Theatre during Assembly, the Quad at lunch, and the 3:15 p.m. rush to the Fit and Mugar for wave two of the day. Yesterday brought a special treat as our student-led Affinity, Alliance, and Interest Group Fair came to life, filling the Quad with more than 30 student tables. I love seeing students represent their identities and passions in this way.
WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE
Before the start of school, our newly minted seniors got together on campus to decorate their cars. They've worked so hard to get to this point, so I am glad to see them taking a moment to celebrate and take it in. I can't wait to see what this year has in store for them.
Photo by Kaylee Sayers '27
CSW — a gender-inclusive day and boarding school for grades 9-12 and PG — is a national leader in progressive education. We live out our values of inquiry-based learning, student agency, and embracing diverse perspectives in every aspect of our student experience. Young people come to CSW to learn how to learn and then put what they learn into action—essential skills they carry into their futures as doers, makers, innovators, leaders, and exceptional humans who do meaningful work in the world.