Guiding Principles
1. We believe everyone is naturally motivated to learn.
Learning happens everywhere and all the time, despite ourselves. It is wired into our DNA. Every human being is born curious and eager to grow and learn -- who has ever needed to “motivate” a baby to learn to walk or talk? The best way to get a human being disinterested is to tell them they have to do something when they don't see the need for it. Motivation wells up on its own when we are doing what we want to do, or if we feel it is important. We believe that children and teens, in their natural state, are curious and driven to learn what they want or what they need, when they are ready. It is our job as adults and mentors to trust and support their process.
2. We don’t believe that a curriculum should inform “what” we learn.
Somehow a factory-style methodology to accumulating knowledge has taken hold in our society. We believe that the World, that Everything, is intrinsically interesting and worth being curious about. We also know that the brain doesn’t hold on to what we don’t use or care about, and that we truly know and learn when we are ready and engaged. It is our goal to free up teens and children to be present in their own lives, learning and growing by being guided by their curiosity, and engaging with the world, not just a curriculum.
3. We don’t believe going to school is the only way to lead a successful adult live.
There are times when school can provide a truly rich environment for learning, and there are times when it can short-circuit and overwhelm a student’s natural drive to learn. It’s been proven, over and over again, that children and teens who follow their passions can, and do, go to university if they choose to, and pursue any career they want. And if they truly know themselves and feel confident in their ability to pursue their own passions and goals, what better gift can we give them?
4. We feel that mentors can expand and enrich one’s learning path.
It is our goal to find adult mentors who really believe in children and teens, who are on a learning path of their own and want to share their interests with others. We feel both mentors and mentees are enriched by learning and exploring together.
5. We believe that everyone learns in their own way and at their own pace.
Learning a skill can happen very quickly when we are interested or really see the need for it. You can learn a school-life worth of math in a year, and older students who learn to read when they really want to, advance at lighting speed to sophisticated reading materials they are curious about. We also believe in the importance of giving people enough time to sink into an experience. Human beings love to immerse themselves in their interests. Why not focus entirely on one thing at a time, if that’s what you want, instead of feeling driven to “cover” a dozen things in a day?
6. We believe our role as adults is to support, not coherce.
We are here to provide opportunities, open up to our children and teens the world that is, and all it’s possibilities. We are here to believe in our children and teens, to help them figure out who they are and what really matters to them. We are here to help them talk about or discover their interest, and make connections with others who share them. And we are here to help any with challenges that come up, and find ways to support their goals and plans for themselves.
Learning happens everywhere and all the time, despite ourselves. It is wired into our DNA. Every human being is born curious and eager to grow and learn -- who has ever needed to “motivate” a baby to learn to walk or talk? The best way to get a human being disinterested is to tell them they have to do something when they don't see the need for it. Motivation wells up on its own when we are doing what we want to do, or if we feel it is important. We believe that children and teens, in their natural state, are curious and driven to learn what they want or what they need, when they are ready. It is our job as adults and mentors to trust and support their process.
2. We don’t believe that a curriculum should inform “what” we learn.
Somehow a factory-style methodology to accumulating knowledge has taken hold in our society. We believe that the World, that Everything, is intrinsically interesting and worth being curious about. We also know that the brain doesn’t hold on to what we don’t use or care about, and that we truly know and learn when we are ready and engaged. It is our goal to free up teens and children to be present in their own lives, learning and growing by being guided by their curiosity, and engaging with the world, not just a curriculum.
3. We don’t believe going to school is the only way to lead a successful adult live.
There are times when school can provide a truly rich environment for learning, and there are times when it can short-circuit and overwhelm a student’s natural drive to learn. It’s been proven, over and over again, that children and teens who follow their passions can, and do, go to university if they choose to, and pursue any career they want. And if they truly know themselves and feel confident in their ability to pursue their own passions and goals, what better gift can we give them?
4. We feel that mentors can expand and enrich one’s learning path.
It is our goal to find adult mentors who really believe in children and teens, who are on a learning path of their own and want to share their interests with others. We feel both mentors and mentees are enriched by learning and exploring together.
5. We believe that everyone learns in their own way and at their own pace.
Learning a skill can happen very quickly when we are interested or really see the need for it. You can learn a school-life worth of math in a year, and older students who learn to read when they really want to, advance at lighting speed to sophisticated reading materials they are curious about. We also believe in the importance of giving people enough time to sink into an experience. Human beings love to immerse themselves in their interests. Why not focus entirely on one thing at a time, if that’s what you want, instead of feeling driven to “cover” a dozen things in a day?
6. We believe our role as adults is to support, not coherce.
We are here to provide opportunities, open up to our children and teens the world that is, and all it’s possibilities. We are here to believe in our children and teens, to help them figure out who they are and what really matters to them. We are here to help them talk about or discover their interest, and make connections with others who share them. And we are here to help any with challenges that come up, and find ways to support their goals and plans for themselves.