Reflections on Academy Life

by Jan Flaska

Embracing a title such as the Dean of Spiritual and Ethical Life brings prestige and a certain amount of mystery: What, exactly, does the dean of spiritual and ethical life do? Ultimately, what has been revealed in the teachers that surround me on this faculty, in the people who work in this community, and the students who have chosen this school to be the rock upon which they will be formed, is that we are all directed with comparable intentions: To become better in spite of doubt, to work harder in spite of challenges, and to live together in celebration of the fact that we strengthen a heritage of which we will, and certainly Mr. Boyden would, forever be proud.

Although the expressions and expectations of religion on our campus are as varied as the backgrounds of the students, there is a spiritual "amalgamation" found in our community, exposed by the fact that we work, play, dine, sleep and grow together. In my course, Judeo-Christian Traditions, the stories we read express the covenantal obligations and loving relationships of a people searching to serve their God in a way that is consistent with their existence and experience. In Religions of the World, we broaden this introspective process to examine the ways by which ethnic and cultural influences explain relationships in a broad, rich diversity of geopolitical locations. Finally, in Science, Religion, Ethics and EVIL, we attempt to unravel the relationships science and religion share with difficult incidents to which both disciplines may speak.

I have come to realize that the goal of every faculty member at Deerfield Academy is to serve the students and community on this campus with a loving heart, with caring hands, and with ears and eyes open to their concerns. Our days are filled with the conversations we share with our students, and our thoughts are directed to strengthen the bonds that naturally develop in an independent school community. It may come as no surprise then, that I turn to reflection and prayer in times of uncertainty, when my commitments and my place at Deerfield Academy are unsettling and indistinct.

In reflecting on the year that has passed, I enthusiastically anticipate my sophomore year as a member of the faculty, eager to take on new courses (Islam & the Qur'an and Faith in Film and Literature: Messiah) and athletic responsibilities. The excitement I share with others in this community about the arrival of a new head of school is concrete, yet lessened slightly by the fact that we will be losing a formidable leader with a visible, upbeat personality, as Mr. Widmer's tenure concludes.

The "'A to Z's" of Spirit and Ethical Life at Deerfield

C - Confirmation Classes: We have two Christian confirmation courses meeting weekly, one for Protestants and one for Catholics.

D - Death and Difficult Issues: In conjunction with the Dean of Students Office, my role has been to console and communicate with students during challenging times and to coordinate transportation needs when necessary.

F -Faculty: As one of more than one hundred faculty members, my responsibilities include teaching, coaching; academic advising, dorm coverage, committee assignments and other, comparable tasks.

I -IDEA: An acronym for The Initiative at Deerfield Academy, IDEA was formed to provide relevant spiritual and ethical experiences. It is funded through the Office of Spiritual and Ethical Life.

L - Lectures: Entitled IDEALS (the IDEA Learning Series) brings interesting speakers and performers to our campus. Thus far, we have hosted an interfaith art exhibit, The Harlem Gospel Choir, and in the spring we hosted a lecture entitled, "Islam's Gifts to Western Civilizations."

N - NEISSC: The New England Independent School Spiritual Council, a newly-formed community of educators concerned. with spiritual and ethical education in our peer schools, will have its first meeting at Deerfield in November, 2006.

R - Responses and Reflections: On Tuesday afternoons and Sunday evenings, there, is time set aside for prayer, conversation and silence. Often, the agenda is proposed by students in advance, but every one is always welcome to join in and speak or sit in silence.

Y - Yoga: Once a week, on Sunday afternoons, the entire community has the opportunity to participate in a yoga session.