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Editor’s Note: This is one in a series of articles on the pillars of iLEAD Antelope Valley’s educational philosophy and approach. 

Last week, we introduced you to what’s behind the letters in “iLEAD” and what each stands for. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the first pillar of the iLEAD acronym: “i,” which represents our “international” focus.

By way of a quick recap, the letters in iLEAD stand for: 

• International
• Leadership
• Entrepreneurial Development
• Arts
• Design Thinking

Why an international focus? Because we believe learning foreign languages and cultures makes our learners compassionate, open-minded world citizens. 

Today’s learners will be leading our society in the future. We want them to become compassionate citizens who gather not simply knowledge but social-emotional skills to appreciate diversity, respect cultural differences, and collaborate with others despite differences.

In addition to facilitating the acquisition of knowledge and growth in social-emotional learning, we encourage our learners to acquire another language. People who are able to communicate in languages other than their native tongue are more confident, which leads to better performance both in their studies and their  personal lives.

We agree with Gary Knell of Sesame Workshop, who said, “International education is probably the most important thing. It’s about foreign languages, it’s being able to work and travel in other countries, it’s being able to understand what other people are saying, it’s about listening, which is very important as we move forward in a much more complex world. If we’re going to fix the problems that we have in our own world…it’s going to have to be done by teaching our children through international education.”

At iLEAD Antelope Valley, we believe that when kids have a global perspective, they’re better equipped to make a positive impact in their world.

Next week, join us as we dive into the second pillar of the iLEAD acronym: “leadership.”

Editor’s Note: This is one in a series of articles on the pillars of iLEAD Antelope Valley’s educational philosophy and approach. 

Recently, we took some time to unpack one of the core elements of our culture — the 7 Habits from Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Now, we want to turn to what iLEAD means. What makes up the iLEAD acronym, and how does it drive our educational approach?

Over the coming weeks, we’ll unpack each part, so this week we’re starting with the bird’s-eye view. The letters in iLEAD stand for:

• International: Learning multiple languages and understanding many cultures makes our learners compassionate, open-minded world citizens.
• Leadership: Practicing leadership from a young age prepares our learners for a lifetime of listening, collaborating, inspiring — leading.
• Entrepreneurial Development: Encouraging learners to work in teams, take risks and learn from failure nurtures their ability to innovate and ignites their entrepreneurial spirit.
• Arts: Creating and exploring the world through the artistic experience enhances our learners’ understanding of each subject.
• Design Thinking: participating in project-based learning leads to more meaningful experiences and a deeper understanding of each subject.

We want our learners to think for themselves. Doing this requires a grounding in the arts, in design, and in humanities and the need to feel at home in the world.

If you’ve spent any time around iLEAD Antelope Valley, you know we place a high priority on positive, supportive, inviting environments where our learners can focus on their development. We are also committed to supporting learners’ development of emotional intelligence, life skills, and community engagement. Incorporating each of those five areas mentioned above provides vibrant, tangible ways they can do that. In the end, what we are doing is focusing on whole-child development, helping them become well-equipped individuals with promising futures.

Additionally, a well-rounded education doesn’t only prepare kids for the future; it empowers them where they are now. As education expert Dr. Yong Zhao has said, “Education is not simply preparation for life; education is life itself.”

Next week, join us as we dive into the first pillar of the iLEAD acronym: an international focus.