Today our Spark Guide Miss Cathy told me about an interesting conversation that was had in one of the closing circles during the week with the Spark learners.
During many of the closing circles, learners share their “stars and wishes” with each other: a chance to give praise, gratitude, or to congratulate a fellow learner as well as an opportunity to offer a suggestion or an area for improvement. Most of the time the wishes are given out to peers “I wish you would stay a little quieter during work time” or “I wish you would be a little more gentle when we’re playing on the playground”. But this five year old’s wish was for her guide, Miss Cathy.
“I wish you would try to tell us what to do a little less”
I can easily imagine a whole list of teachers from my life and how they would have reacted had I ever made that kind of suggestion. I can also imagine how a lot of adults in my life might currently react to hearing a 5 year old offer such a bold request.
This is how Miss Cathy reacted:
Instead of reprimanding (we don’t do that at Acton)
Instead of starting a power trip (we don’t do that either)
Instead of making this learner feel guilty for asking (nobody anywhere should do that ever)
Miss Cathy said: Thank you, you’re right.
Why was this such a powerful moment?
After reflecting on the moment Miss Cathy was inspired and excited, for herself, for the learner, and for the studio.
- Miss Cathy saw this as an opportunity to “hold up a mirror” to herself and realize that maybe she has been stepping in too often instead of stepping back
- How awesome that this five year old learner felt comfortable and empowered enough to bring this to the meeting in front of everyone
- This must mean that the learners in the Spark studio do crave autonomy and ownership over their studio
- It was a moment of remembering an important pillar of the Acton Academy model: learner driven
- This learner demonstrated some great leadership skills by directly asking for a change without being mean
- We are on the right track!
This is one of the many differences at Acton Academy Eastern Long Island
Like I’ve stated time and time again, and like I will continue to do so, Acton Academy is not about blindly following authority, memorizing facts, or teaching to the test. It’s about learning to learn, learning to do, and learning to BE. And what better way to practice learning to be than to confront your guide about something you think would help you and your peers grow? As we continue on this journey of our first true Spark studio year, we are learning more and more about ourselves and being amazed daily at the potential within each of these young learners. I know I speak for all of us when I say I’m so grateful to be here, in this space, with these children.