A Lesser Known Andrew Fact and the People's Supper

BY ANDREW DAVIS

“While yes, I have an MBA and enjoy numbers, what people often don’t know about me is that I once lived in a Buddhist monastery and meditated for two and a half hours a day.” I shared this little-known fact on Sunday night with four other MTS community members at our inaugural Community Supper. I also mentioned that, at one point, I was known as the "in touch with his feelings" guy. Granted, this was among 400 MBA students, so the bar was low! My story was met with interest and questions, serving as a reminder to myself that I am still both of these things.

Over a delicious meal, I formed a much deeper connection with four people I had previously known only by name, their child, and a small fragment of their story. I learned about the lifelong bonds formed through a high school hockey team, the deep respect and leadership one MTS grandparent holds in his community, the experience of navigating racial identity when others aren’t sure "what" race you are, and the remarkable closeness of one MTS parent's extended family—hundreds of relatives, each with a designated number, who show up for one another in times of need.

Reflecting on the evening, I am struck by how just thirty or forty minutes of conversation—aided by some thoughtful questions—can bring a group of people closer together. When I see my tablemates at school, I now have a much deeper appreciation for the rich complexity of their lives. Tanya, our host and the event organizer, and I have received numerous emails of gratitude for the evening. There was widespread appreciation for this opportunity to make authentic connections across the MTS community. There is also a strong desire for more moments like these—and don’t worry, this was just the beginning. More chances to participate are on the horizon.

Towards the end of the evening, our table discussed how these kinds of conversations—authentic and enjoyable—are the true essence of inclusion and belonging. "DEI" is a contentious topic, but at our table, we simply represented a diverse group of individuals sharing our experiences. We had a child of divorced parents, a single mom, a stay-at-home mom, a lifelong Oakland resident, two parents who raised children internationally, and a guy who used to be really into Buddhism. And that was just the start of our diversity. While I can’t speak for everyone at my table, I left feeling more connected, with a greater sense of belonging and acceptance. Talking together about our experiences—not debating hot-button topics—brought us closer. That is inclusion. I can only hope for more experiences like this in our richly diverse community.

How was that for getting this far without mentioning a single number? See, I did learn something from all those hours of meditation! And for those who want to feed my MBA brain, please take a moment to complete the annual MTS parent survey this week. I look forward to reading your feedback, crunching the numbers, and connecting with many of you at the next Community Supper.

TGIAM is the blog of Andrew Davis, Head of School. TGIAM = Thank Goodness It's Almost Monday.