““What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.””
Our values, our vision
Pando is a values-lead school. Everything we do - from our curriculum to our physical plant to our relationships with one another - is informed by our values. We’ve distilled our values down to just three:
Embrace a growth mindset
Seek balance
Be open to joy
Embrace a Growth Mindset
“Picture your brain forming new connections as you meet the challenge and learn. Keep on going.”
- Carol Dweck
The most important decision an individual makes is what story they tell themselves about who they are. As parents and educators, we play a critical role in shaping the narratives young children will carry with them into adulthood. If we’ve done our job well, their stories will be positive and growth-oriented. We envision a world where the stories we tell ourselves are steeped in unconditional positive regard, empowering all of us to learn from our mistakes and approach challenges with an open heart.
We demonstrate our commitment to a growth mindset by practicing the following:
We take responsibility for improving our skills.
We stay out of comparison and competition.
We own our mistakes and discuss them in an open and honest way.
We reach out for help when we need it.
We choose courage over comfort by facing difficult tasks and conversations rather than avoiding them.
We recognize when we are judging ourselves or others, and replace judgment with curiosity.
Seek Balance
“The rule is to carry as little as possible.”
- Henry David Thoreau
Our world can move pretty quick. Like a snowball on a hill, many of us have a tendency to roll faster and faster, picking up more and more as we go. It’s therefore no surprise to anyone that family are stressed and rates of anxiety and depression are at an all time high, especially among young people. In order to care for ourselves and model a more humane path through life for our children, Pando champions balance. Balance, or harmony, is a fundamental human need: We’re wired to seek an ideal level of stimulation, feel the itch of cognitive dissonance when our actions and our beliefs are misaligned, and chaff when power-dynamics become too skewed. Nothing brings about more bliss than a moment where we feel balanced.
We demonstrate our commitment to balance by practicing the following behaviors:
We set clear boundaries with others.
We recognize what we can and cannot control.
We don’t over-commit and acknowledge when we can’t follow through on a commitment.
We only share information that is ours to share.
We are mindful of other people’s time.
We respect boundaries, and when it’s not clear about what’s okay and not okay, we ask.
Be Open to Joy
“Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually.”
- Richard Louv
Joy doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a practice that can be improved over time by being mindful of where we focus our attention. We owe it to ourselves and our children to cultivate our capacity for joy. Joy is often misunderstood to be a synonym for happiness. It’s not. Though the two often sit side by side, joy is more nuanced. Kahlil Gibran said it best when he wrote, “your joy is your sorrow unmasked.” Joy is that exquisite moment when life snaps into sharp focus with an intensity that leaves us awestruck. It’s the clap of thunder, the crash of a wave, the high note a singer carries longer and more achingly than we were anticipating. It’s that vulnerable, impossible to plan moment when you feel truly alive.
We demonstrate our commitment to joy by practicing the following behaviors:
We are responsible for the energy we bring to situations so we choose to stay positive.
We value play and make time for it.
We talk to you, not about you.
We practice gratitude with our one another.
We hold ourselves accountable for our own wellbeing versus blaming others or feeling resentful.
We are able to reality-check the stories we tell ourselves during conflict, disappointment, or setbacks.
