Donald M.Austin - Newark Academy

global school must be
our students to be
leaders in a global context.
Since my life has been shaped by experiences abroad, my own and those
of my students, I am a firm believer in the value of immersion experiences.
I would like nothing more than to have every Newark Academy student
participate in a significant immersion experience abroad prior to graduation.
A service project in a developing country, a homestay in a family, or several
weeks in a high school in a foreign country would all be worthwhile
examples. In addition to competence in another language and culture,
students who do these projects gain self-confidence, a broadened perspective
on their home country and culture, and a measure of humility about their
power to address the most pressing problems of the world. Our goal as a
global school must be to prepare our students to be effective leaders in a
global context. Contact with people from different backgrounds is essential
training for a workplace that is increasingly multinational and multicultural.
I look forward to working with faculty and the board to assure that our
educational program is dynamic, engaging and clearly focused on providing
skills that students will need for the future.
In closing, I would like to take a moment to thank some of the people who
have helped me arrive at this point. My presence here today is in large
measure due to friends, colleagues, and above all family. First and foremost,
I wish to acknowledge my wife, Karolyn, for her wisdom, patience and
love, and our three sons, Benjamin, George and Charlie, whose energy, zest
for life and force of character remind me daily that the greatest joys (and
challenges) in life come from those whom we love.
I would also like to acknowledge my own parents and grandparents, who
have been wonderful role models. From my earliest days they practiced
what the best teachers preach: commitment to the life of the mind, service
to others, adherence to principles of decency, and the pursuit of healthy
passions with little regard to acquisition of money or power.They were
travelers with open hearts, who instilled in me a taste for adventure and
a love of languages. And they granted me significant independence that
permitted me to see the world at a young age.
I particularly want to mention
my mother, Mollie Munro Austin,
who died from cancer when I
was in my early twenties. She
was someone who deeply valued
education and who strongly
encouraged me to pursue teaching
when I was figuring out what I
wanted to do with my life.As she
predicted, the fulfillment I have
had as a teacher and school leader
has been a source not only of
professional satisfaction, but also
of personal joy.
During the course of my life,
I have been fortunate to know
many outstanding teachers as
mentors, colleagues and friends.
Their commitment to their jobs
has gone far beyond professional
responsibility and has demonstrated
repeatedly that teaching is a noble
and vital craft.Their examples
will continue to serve as beacons
for me here at Newark Academy.
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