In celebration of the 100th anniversary of The Cushman School, The M Network conducted an interview with the Head of the school, Dr. Arvi Balseiro. Arvi’s aunt, who founded the first American school in Guayaquil, Ecuador, inspired her to become an educator and make a difference. This is one of many women in Arvi’s story who helped her see and understand her potential. Her story emphasizes that regardless of gender, anyone can achieve their dreams through determination and ambition. This special feature highlights the transformative journey of a woman who defied expectations to lead a prestigious institution, showcasing the boundless potential within women. #HappyWomensHistoryMonth
What was your first job and where has it led up until this point?
Let me begin with telling you that I have always wanted to become an educator. This goes all the way back to childhood because I was inspired by my aunts who were amazing educators and leaders in their field – one particularly, started the first American school in Guayaquil, Ecuador. My very first job was actually at the Miami Herald selling newspapers, I worked in college as a donut maker after that. My first teaching job was at St. Patrick’s in Miami Beach. I taught 3rd grade there for a couple of years, but then I stepped away to start a family. Then, when I returned to work, I started at The Cushman School – I’ve been here for 37 years. From the moment that I started working here, I always knew that what I wanted was to become the next Head of the School. I am the third Head in 100 years, which is highly unusual for an independent school.
What can you tell us about your mentor, Joan Lutton, the second Head of The Cushman School?
I was hired under Joan. Joan was a firm believer in teacher empowerment and provided a lot of opportunities for me to utilize my strengths creatively to start programs. I was always interested in curriculum design and was given a lot of opportunities to apply that passion toward the Cushman curriculum. I continued to teach in various classes, later I became the dean of faculty and the Dean of curriculum while holding many positions at the same time. After this, I became the curriculum director, and then the primary school director, and then I became the Head of School.
What is one word you would use to describe your mentor, Joan?
Empowerment. She was incredibly knowledgeable about education and inspiring men and women to be their best selves. The opportunities that I was provided under her were fully taken advantage of. Joan acknowledged my initiative and rewarded me for that. I hold those same values to be very important now as I hire new employees and I ask them the same questions that Joan asked me. What kind of initiative do they have? How can they help make the school a better place for our students and beyond. We don’t just look at our school community, what can their initiative do for the world?
How do you feel about being the head of The Cushman School?
The school went through a national search to find the next head, and I am very honored to have assumed this position. I don’t take it for granted a single day because I love the mission and the philosophy of the school and I wanted to be able to uphold what has been transpiring and inspiring. I wanted to take on the legacy of the two predecessors, Dr. Laura Cushman and Dr. Joan Lutton. At the time that I was applying for the position, I had begun my doctoral degree because I also wanted to carry on the legacy of being the third Head of School who held a doctorate and wanted to be a part of this special and unique community that is The Cushman School.
How would you describe the The Cushman School community?
It’s a very joyful and engaging community. Our students and their parents are a part of this big beautiful family that Dr. Cushman created. If you come here and walk on this campus as our families do when they tour, you’d fall in love. It’s a very close knit community and everyone believes in our school’s philosophy.
What’s your proudest personal achievement?
How hard I’ve worked to maintain my strong sense of family. I have 5 children and 6 grandchildren and I have yet to do my best at my work. I try hard to balance my home, which is the most important thing to me, with my work ethic.
What advice would you give to young girls who are striving to be leaders and changemakers in a male dominated world?
That’s an excellent question. I love that because we’re all about changemakers. When I founded the TEDx Youth program, I knew that I wanted every one of our students to be changemakers. I want all of our students to have a story, and be proud of that story. Especially in a world where there’s so much negativity, we have to ask ourselves how we can make the world a better place. To me, nothing is more important than looking out, and not being insular and to pay attention to what’s happening around you, whether it’s in the classroom, locally, or globally. In anything that I’ve had to do, there have been obstacles. You have to put one foot in front of the other and know that there are always solutions to get to where you want to be. Step back and look at obstacles as opportunities.
What steps must one take to acquire success in their pursuits?
Identify something important to you, pursue it by becoming as knowledgeable as you can, narrow it down and then take action. That’s what we’re about in our community. Those are the kind of stories that become contagious and inspire others.
What is the main difficulty that young girls face? Is there something that’s common you’ve noticed?
Historically, there has been a lack of confidence among women and girls. Young girls that may go into a field, such as engineering or math – fields that tend to have more men than women and although the women have the competence, they’ve lacked the confidence. You can do anything with the right amount of confidence. Girls should focus on the small accomplishments first, because it starts there. Then, it transpires into school life, and the little accomplishments there. There’s a foundation that everything is built upon and it’s important to cherish each step and give yourself grace as you grow.
Do you have a quote that you hold close to your heart?
“If you can dream it you can do it.” This is something that I speak to the children a lot about here… The importance of dreams. The importance of dreaming is unmatched. Dream. You’ve got to be able to imagine yourself doing things – whatever that will be. If you can see yourself standing up in front of an audience and giving a TED talk, if you can see yourself being in a class where 90% of the students are men, if you can see yourself doing it, you’re going to be able to accomplish that with hard work. As simple as it is, it’s a very powerful quote. In my reality, that’s always been true. I’ve always been able to see myself doing what I have been able to accomplish, and if I haven’t seen myself doing it, I didn’t accomplish it.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced trying to prove yourself as a woman in charge? The biggest challenge has been that I can show my soft skills, but I also have the hard skills. I can balance what can be perceived as being tough, or in charge, with compassion. With the soft skills. I feel that I’ve demonstrated that I can be respected for both.
How has the legacy of Laura Cushman influenced your leadership style?
Dr. Cushman has influenced my leadership style tremendously. There were many special things about Laura Cushman – she was a visionary. That’s one of my strengths and I love to envision. You have to be ahead of the game, you have to be able to look ahead. It makes me think of Dr. Cushman’s philosophy and how Dr. Cushman accepted Jewish families at a time when no one did in the independent schools in Miami. When a Jewish family came to the school and explained to Dr. Cushman that they tried to find a home for their children, Dr. Cushman looked at them and said, “You’re welcome here.” This philosophy today is ever more important than it was 100 years ago. We’ve learned to appreciate diversity and inclusion all the more because of Dr. Cushman’s vision. It is to celebrate each other, despite our differences.
If Laura were still here, what would she say to a female college student like myself? She would say “If you have a passion about what you want to do, then you need to pursue it, and nothing can stop you except for yourself.”
Are there any words of wisdom you’d like to leave us with to wrap up? The power of giving women the opportunity to share their ideas, as they were given to me as a woman, should not go unnoticed. In any leader’s life, there is never a straight line to success. You’re going to take turns all over the place before you get to where you want to go. When you’re on that path that’s twisting and turning, keep your eye on what you want, look for mentors, and seek help. Be humble enough to ask for help and never take your eyes off of what you want.