Session overview

Education is evolving rapidly, shaped by new research, changing student needs, and an increasingly complex world. For families, this raises important questions: What does strong teaching and learning look like today? How are schools preparing students not just for the next grade, but for what comes next? And how can families and schools partner effectively in that work?

This Parent Education Night invites parents and caregivers into a thoughtful, forward-looking conversation about learning today and the future we are building together. Dr. Darcie TeVault—Director of Professional Development for the Virginia Association of Independent Schools and a faculty member at Johns Hopkins University—will share insights drawn from educational research, classroom observation, and work with independent schools across the region.

Earlier that day, Dr. TeVault will spend time on campus observing classrooms and meeting with Wakefield faculty and leadership. During the evening session, she will reflect on what she observed and connect those observations to broader trends in teaching and learning.

The presentation will explore:

• What current research tells us about how students learn best
• How Wakefield’s instructional practices align with research and best practices
• What schools must consider to remain thoughtful, responsive, and future-ready
• ​​​​​​​How Wakefield’s mission continues to guide teaching, learning, and long-term planning
• ​​​​​​​The role of partnership between families and schools in supporting student growth

The evening will conclude with a Q&A, offering parents the opportunity to engage directly, ask questions, and deepen their understanding of how Wakefield is preparing students for the future.