Sometimes the most meaningful examples of character come from the moments we don't realize anyone is noticing.
Recently, TEA received an unexpected email from Ed Wells, a retired educational psychologist who happened to be camping near a group of our students at Morro Bay State Park. When he first saw 18 teenagers setting up camp nearby, he admitted his initial reaction was, "Oh boy, we aren't going to have peace tonight."
But what he experienced over the next three days changed his mind.
Ed described students who were respectful, courteous, and mindful of their surroundings. He noticed how clean and organized they kept their campsite and shared facilities. He watched as Adventure Guide Dirk picked up litter along the road, even though it hadn't necessarily come from TEA's group.
And when heavy rain flooded much of the campground, he was struck by how calmly the students adapted. Rather than complaining, they found humor in the situation. Ed overheard one student joking, "My bed might be a waterbed, but I'm dry."
His email ended with a wonderful observation:
"Thanks for the fun memories of seeing your students learn more about 'constructive adversity,' which will be a new expression for me."
As we introduce stewardship as November's character trait, Ed's message offers a beautiful example of what it looks like in practice.
Stewardship is about recognizing our responsibility to care for the people, places, and communities around us. It shows up in small choices, like picking up litter that isn't ours, respecting shared spaces, and looking out for one another when circumstances become challenging.
And this week, those lessons extend far beyond Truckee.
As our Upper School students depart for fieldwork on Tuesday and Wednesday, every student will participate in service as part of their expedition. These experiences will take students into communities near and far, including opportunities to work with DC Central Kitchen in Washington, D.C., learn alongside a women-owned coffee and chocolate farm in Costa Rica, and participate in service activities in Belize.
At TEA, we want students to understand that they have both the ability and the responsibility to contribute to something larger than themselves. Fieldwork gives them opportunities to practice that responsibility through meaningful experiences, relationships, and service.
