Maurice Elias, Ph.D., of Rutgers University, a nationally recognized expert in the areas of social-emotional learning and building positive school cultures, recently spent a day with the faculty, staff and administrators of Middleburg Academy.

In keeping with its long-held mission, the independent college preparatory school in Loudoun County places a genuine emphasis on developing the whole person -- head and heart, intellect and character. Middleburg Academy engaged Dr. Elias to further foster the school's learning environment of trust and engagement.

Dr. Elias is frequently called upon by local, state and national educational forums, policy writers, and governing bodies, as well as the major media, for his research-based insights and expertise. He was recently heard on NPR's Science Friday on the topic of weaving emotional literacy into the standard curriculum.

"Good science links social-emotional and character development to a number of documented student gains," Dr. Elias reports. "These include social-emotional skills; improved attitudes about self, others and school; positive classroom behavior; and 10-11% gains on standardized achievement tests."

During his time with the teachers and staff of Middleburg Academy, Dr. Elias was pleased to discover a school that already practices many of the habits and programs he promotes.

"How we treat children in all aspects of our contacts with them -- as parents, teachers, policy makers or advocates -- matters, including many small things that add up to make a big difference," he explained.

Emphasizing the challenges our youth carry around with them each day -- from an increased pace of life and greater economic demands on parents to ongoing exposure to an array of digital media which "robs them of reflective time" -- the workshop focused on creating a coordinated, commonly understood framework for providing optimal synergy within the school.

"If you, as a school, communicate out of a posture of caring," Elias stressed, "the kids will care."

In closing the day-long session, Middleburg Academy Head of School Colley W. Bell III remarked,

"We are a secondary school that is small by design. If there is a single moment in life where being part of a tightly knit community is important, it is in adolescence. These are the very formative years, and so much of what is instilled in the experiences at this stage shape one's adulthood. Thank you, Dr. Elias, for reminding us how important it is to focus on the precious present, and, if I may borrow your words, to carry out our roles with respect, challenge, caring, safety, civility and the encouragement of opportunity and resilience."

To learn more about Middleburg Academy, contact Mr. Doug Goodman, Director of Admission at 540-687-5581 or dgoodman@middleburgacademy.org.