Dean's Welcome

At TVS, the phrase “known, nurtured, and loved” is not a slogan but rather the covenant promise we enter into with you as we travel together on this amazing learning journey with your children.

To be known at TVS is to work everyday to understand each child’s unique strengths and challenges, in order to meet their individual needs and foster their growth. Our teachers and leaders are dedicated to building strong relationships with students, encouraging them to explore their interests and develop a love for learning. This commitment means that we strive to create a supportive environment where every student feels valued and respected. Our learning environment is one of safety–socially, emotionally, and intellectually. Feeling “known” by our teachers allows students to engage more inquisitively with what they are learning; it builds resilience because challenges are seen as opportunities to think without judgment and the fear of failure which can cause some learners to quit and walk away from deep thinking. 

To be nurtured at TVS is to have connections with teachers and leaders that empowers students to reach their fullest potential. Our nurturing environment is characterized by encouragement, personalized support, critical thinking, problem-solving, and celebrating success. And nurturing extends beyond academic success, addressing emotional and social development to ensure students are well-rounded and prepared for future challenges. By embracing this holistic approach, we at TVS aim to cultivate not only knowledgeable citizens but also compassionate members of society who are ready to contribute positively to the world. A “nurturing” environment contributes to confidence and a growth mindset. Students know that classrooms are “judgment free zones” allowing students to explore “what if” questions that push learning from mere acquisition making to real meaning-making. Learning begins when meaning is nurtured and students link new ideas in novel and interdisciplinary ways. 

To be loved at TVS is to be embraced for who you are, fostering a community where kindness and empathy are central to the total educational experience. Love in our educational setting means civil discourse, recognizing the inherent worth of each student, celebrating diversity, and promoting inclusivity of thoughts, actions, and behaviors. By prioritizing emotional intelligence and empathy, our faculty encourages students to develop strong interpersonal skills and a profound sense of responsibility for our school, our fellow human beings, and our planet. This approach helps us as leaders to strive to form a compassionate community where students feel secure to express themselves and engage meaningfully with others. Love and emotional support from teachers and peers can significantly contribute to an “I can do this” attitude thus empowering learners to be fearless learners and take-on difficult issues with optimism and curiosity. Indeed, this is how students “discover their individualized passions and purpose in a faith-based environment.” 

As the Academic Dean, it is my mission to assist teachers and leaders to commit minds to inquiry, hearts to compassion and lives in the service of humanity. The Portrait of a TVS graduate is to be a creative thinker, a strategic communicator, an empowered lifelong learner, an engaged collaborator, and a global citizen. This portrait reveals itself one step at a time at each level of learning in our school through discovery learning, civil discourse, case studies, science laboratories, mathematics challenges, artistic inspirations, creative and structured writing, reading, discussions, dreams, and imagination. Knowing where a child fits into a world larger than a neighborhood, learners have opportunities to travel, explore and appreciate the complexities of the world. It is my responsibility to partner with leaders and faculty to ensure this ideal is our compass rose within a faith-based school. 

TVS is a unique school that embraces Christ-like skills and respects learning for the joy of personal growth, servant leadership, and service above self! I am honored to be a link in this intergenerational mission to inspire students to “think and create solutions to challenges in an ever changing world.” 

Cordially,

Dr. Dianna Mattern
Academic Dean

Founded in 2000, our approach emphasizes hands-on experiences, fostering creativity, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. We prioritize educating the whole child, focusing on academic excellence, character development, empathy, and gratitude.