12 | University School
the freedom to take advantage of teaching
opportunities. “Public schools don’t get to
have that degree of autonomy, and we’re in
an unusually fortunate position. My teach-
ers work longer hours for less pay than many
of their colleagues in public school, but they
love their work and the freedom to create
curriculum,” says Murray.
He also notes that it may be difficult, or
impractical, to apply what University School
does in public school setting while noting
his respect for all that public schools do un-
der adverse conditions. In his view, schools
would benefit by more greatly empowering
principals and faculty. “What motivates our
faculty is the autonomy they have, the abil-
ity to go the extra mile, the ability to work
longer, and not have a union representative
tell them it is time to leave work and come
back on Monday morning. Our teachers are
thinking about their classes twenty-four/
seven... They have a big commitment to the
school... and great schools start with great
teachers,” says Murray.
For students, University Schools offers
plenty of opportunities for learning outside
