Working and playing — essential components of learning and keystones for establishing both the love and limits that create a safe space for each student. The question of how to best set appropriate boundaries within a loving context became all the more important because Mission Hill is a full inclusion school, meaning students with exceptionalities are not pulled out and … Read More
Year at Mission Hill, Chapter 3 Making It Real
This chapter opens with the question, “What makes a mind come alive?” It is an apropos question that is all to often left out of discussions about education and education reform. At Mission Hill it is central to the development of educational experiences for students. Check out this chapter that explores the idea of creating opportunities for students to create, … Read More
Freedom and Choice
In a recent conversation with a friend who immigrated from Nigeria, we were talking about why he had pulled his two sons out of an after school program. “They were being taught freedoms in a way that goes against their family’s beliefs. The meaning of freedom is you obey the law. If you obey the law, you are free. If … Read More
Reasons
Written by Lucas Braley Monday, 18 October 2010 19:08 “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” -Mark Twain Too many times, it seemed, that teachers rolled their eyes. I had noticed that something was off about the student-teacher dynamic in my traditional Junior-Senior High School when a failing student was a chore for the teacher: Not … Read More
Origins
Written by Lucas Braley Tuesday, 26 October 2010 18:47 “In the Beginning there was nothing.” –Genesis 1:1 The Wilderness Orientation Trek (or WOT) is a mandatory prerequisite for those accepted to MC2. It begins with a few days of hiking with 60 pound bags for a total of 19 miles in 3½ days. After that, the group canoes down … Read More
