“Our mission is to give young people agency in their learning, helping them discover what they can uniquely contribute to the world.”
When my youngest son was four, he loved the act of throwing rocks into the water at the creek by our house. He would carefully select a stone and watch the impact as it hit the water’s surface. He loved seeing the ripples, watching them circle the rock’s point of entry and move outwards, creating small waves in the surrounding water. He could do this for hours.
At age 10, he could still do this for hours- though the task had changed from simply throwing rocks to skipping rocks.
Today, At age 12, he’s often found at the creek with a group of his neighborhood friends. There, they work together devising and implementing various ways to manipulate the flow of the water. Just last week, while walking the dog, I found them knee-deep in the water, moving stones and logs to create a dam and bridge from one side of the stream to the other.
It’s evident to me why he has always loved this so much. In the sacred space, he is in charge. He chooses the materials and how to use them. He selects the pace and when to take a break. He gets to see the immediate outcome of his actions. As he’s gotten older, he naturally chooses to increase the complexity of the task, seeking a greater challenge, and others to join him.
In the comings and goings of life, the prescriptive nature of childhood, and a largely adult-imposed agenda, my son is captivated by this space that allows him freedom and choice. He has agency over his experience.
When I think of this, it always reminds me that is truly what we all want, children and adults alike. We all want the opportunity to impact the world in some way- to see the ripples, the effects of our actions, no matter how big or small the splash. We all want the chance to use our innate creative freedom, act, and stand back proudly and think, “I did that”- or “Oops, I’ll do it differently next time”…
This is the magic of a learning environment where young people have agency, are trusted and empowered to solve problems, and effectively have the chance to see the ripples of their choices and actions in a caring and close-knit community.
As we send our alumni into the world, on to their next great adventure of High School, I am affirmed in our mission here at TVS as our graduates exhibit this same sense of agency. They are talking with teachers, asking for feedback, helping their peers, and taking on leadership roles. They are courageous and self-aware. Just a few days into my oldest son’s first year of High School, and he claims is the go-to “tech guy” in his advisory. When I asked him how this evolved, he shrugged and smiled, “I’m a problem solver.”
As we excitedly embark on the adventure of a new school year, we remain rooted in our mission to give learners agency, which will allow us to continue nurturing a generation of young people who know who they are and what they can contribute to the world around them.
Cheers to Year 7! Let’s go make some ripples!
villageschoolnova.blog 