The school of my dreams...

... Will hopefully become a reality one day.

My life ambition has evolved quite a bit in the past few months. I've gone from wanting to consult on creative education for gifted kids and possibly starting a very small "home" school to... playing a bit role in the evolution of education by developing my own educational method and setting up my own small-but-much-bigger-than-before school for exceptional children of mixed abilities (gifted and special needs).

As though that weren't ambitious enough, I want this school to pull quintuple duty. In addition to a school, the building will also host a cafe/bar, a dance studio that is also a performance venue, and flats for hire upstairs (plus one for me). I'm going to try and get a rough plan laid out in the not-too-terribly-distant future so I can better illustrate how it'll work.

In terms of my educational method, I'm conscious of the fact that I should probably be careful to protect my "intellectual property." Part of me wants to just trust that if someone makes use of my ideas, they will properly credit me (and hopefully let me know about it as well). But just in case, I'm going to play it safe and be somewhat vague. I have a LOT of work to do before I have this all figured out, anyway, so I couldn't actually offer many details at this stage even if I wanted to.

Essentially, I want to combine what I think are the best ideas from every educational method/system out there: mainstream, special needs, Montessori/Waldorf, homeschooling, dramatic education, you name it. Ideas from different countries and cultures, too.

There will be both primary and secondary levels, most likely broken into what England terms "key stages" (but with slightly different age ranges).

e.g. Key Stage 1 = 5-7
Key Stage 2 = 8-10
Key Stage 3 = 11-13
Key Stage 4 = 14-17

Each key stage will be comprised of one class.

The whole way through the system, learning will be holistic and will focus on life skills, both vocational and domestic. There will be a big emphasis on creativity and critical thinking and just about everything will be hands-on. Every morning will begin with a bit of physical activity designed to help calm the body and focus the mind. Everything in mainstream curriculum (and more!) will be covered... in a much more fun, useful, and meaningful way.

In the secondary stage, the majority of the students' studies will be centred around "thesis" projects. The projects will follow different themes and have different requirements and, along the way, they will learn the skills needed to complete their projects. Some of these projects will be solo, some will be small group, and some will involve the whole class. Teachers in this area will act mainly as mentors and advisors, but teach some group lessons as well.

I'd also like for there to be a strong emphasis on diversity and community. The older and younger children will interact continually, both socially and through structured programs. We will eat and play together, and the older children will have a chance to mentor the younger children. Also, since this will be a school for both special needs and gifted students, children of mixed abilities and talents will be working together. I also plan to set up a scholarship fund so that the school can be accessible regardless of ability to pay.

So there you have it: my life ambition in a nutshell. I've been thinking about it obsessively all day, for some reason, so I just had to get it out there.

PS - I've already been approached by a few people looking for jobs. Yes, I am willing to consider possible future candidates now! Keeping in mind that I don't know when or where this plan will unfold. I'm also interested in hearing from people who wish to help me brainstorm or talk to me about what their ideal school would look like. I will eventually be looking for people to challenge and criticise my plan, but not yet. I want to have it more fully developed first.

Promises, Old and New

At the start of 2009, I made some promises to myself. They were basically resolutions, but I like promises better. Anyway, I was good about monitoring my progress for a while but then I completely forgot about it, so I think now it's time to take another look at how I've done...

I will recommit to daily exercise
I was pretty good about this for a while, but my activity level is now pathetic. Signing up for a gym membership is now top priority.

I will commit to my distance ed courses this semester and finally graduate, 8 years later, with my BA.
DONE!!!

I will focus on what is most important to me right now: building the foundation for my career.
I've certainly done that. Next steps: finish my website and apply for PGCE programs.

I will actively seek a healthy and gratifying relationship but continue to live happily alone until I find one.
Oh yay, I'd forgotten this was a goal. Accomplished!

I will make it a priority to regularly spend quality time with quality people.
I'm spending as much quality time as possible with my boyfriend but less time with my other friends. Should fix that.

I will make it a priority to regularly spend quality time with myself.
Yes, I think I do that.

I will pay attention to the insight of the children I work with.
Yes!

I will improve at money management.
Uh, sort of. I'm shopping less, anyhow.

I will improve at time management.
This isn't especially relevant to me right now, but I am still awful when it comes to procrastination.

I will attempt to document more of my life, in words and in images.
I write regularly in this blog! I also take more pictures and have done a little bit of drawing. I'd like to do more creative and philosophical work.

I will not turn down invitations just because I'm worried I won't know anyone.
I still do this.

I will allow myself to occasionally fail, so long as I get back up again.
I think so.

I will go to see live theatre whenever I can.
Aaaack, I live in London now... I have no bloody excuse! The only thing I've seen since I moved here is Billy Elliot.

I will be a better friend.
I'm in a weird place right now, on the friendship front. I'm trying desperately to stay in touch with my friends in Ottawa but it's not that easy. And I'm still in the preliminary stages of building new friendships here.

I think that's really good progress, overall. Now, as the year draws to a close, I reckon it's time to set some new promises.

20 PROMISES TO MYSELF FOR 2010 (and the rest of 2009)

1. I will obtain a gym membership and make good use of it.

2. I will finish my website.

3. I will get an action plan rolling for the next stages in my education and professional development.

4. I will be a good friend, girlfriend, and relative.

5. I will go see more live theatre, damnit!

6. I will write at least one substantial fictional piece in the next year.

7. I will post at least one reflective or philosophical blog entry per month.

8. I will challenge my mind with at least 30 minutes of puzzles or problems each week.

9. I will begin promoting myself as a swing and blues teacher to dance scenes around Europe.

10. I will choreograph a solo dance piece. All by myself.

11. I will somehow find a partner and choreograph a couples piece. Maybe even a team routine!

12. I will compete as often as possible.

13. I will continue my voice training.

14. I will work up the guts to sing on stage in front of strangers.

15. I will take one special interest course in something I've never done before.

16. I will become functional in Spanish (preferably before Christmas break ;)).

17. I will clean my living space at least once per week.

18. I will eat fruit, vegetables, and protein every day, despite my lack of a kitchen.

19. I will find a way to stop living paycheque to paycheque.

20. And finally, I will remember update my progress quarterly in this blog.