michaela

Right now, as I write this blog, in a quiet corner of our studio, something astonishing is unfolding. Tiny caterpillars, once no more than squiggling lines, have formed chrysalises, and some have even metaphorized into butterflies. Our learners are watching this transformation with curiosity and amazement (and so are we). The journey of these little caterpillars into butterflies is one of transformation and growth – much like the journey of learning.

Just like caterpillars, our learners experience their own metamorphosis everyday, every session, and every year. They are always stretching, questioning, and growing; and growth, as we know, doesn’t happen without challenges. The transformation from larvae, to caterpillar, to chrysalis and eventually butterfly is one of many obstacles. Sometimes, caterpillars create too many webs, and their wings get stuck, other times, the caterpillar struggles to climb to the top lid when becoming a chrysalis.

Just like the transformation of butterflies, in learning, some days we get stuck, feel uncertain, or struggle. As the learners grow, we as guides see that learning is not linear, if there are ups and downs and time where we are unsure what comes next. But even when it’s messy or slow, there is magic in the making. Inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar becomes unrecognizable, breaking down so it can build something entirely new. Isn’t that what learning asks of us too? To break down, question, grow, be challenged and emerge transformed.

As session 7 is fast approaching, I am in constant awe of the growth and resilience of our learners. For some learners, their voices that once whispered now speak loudly, without hesitation and with confidence. Just like our butterflies, our learners have been on a journey of change and transformation, a journey that we couldn’t see right away. Every challenge our learners face, every question they ask, every leap they take, is part of their own transformation.

In Discovery Studio, we don’t just study life cycles of insects, we live them. We are witnessing not only the metamorphosis of butterflies but the quiet, powerful transformation of each learner. Soon, we’ll release our butterflies into the world. And in just a few weeks, we’ll do the same with our fifth grade learners, sending them off with the wings to their next adventure, Adventure Studio.

“People always say there are 2 things you don’t talk about: politics and religion.” How many times have we heard someone say this? How many times have we been asked to avoid anything too “taboo”?” As someone who majored in Political Science and Religion, I have been often subject to unsolicited advice telling me to avoid discussing any topics related to my intellectual interest. When it came to these forbidden topics, the message was the same: don’t talk about it, don’t question, don’t implore. But if we don’t talk about it, how will we ever learn?

Here at The Village School, we believe learning is unavoidable. Learning occurs in our mistakes and our failures, the small and the big, the intentional and the unintentional. Learning occurs with our experiences. One of the ways we cultivate our unique experiences is through Project. Project time is essential to our model, it allows learners to explore, reflect, create and learn with endless possibilities. Projects are designed intentionally, using the framework of Universal Design as a guideline. With the then approaching election, I saw an opportunity for our learners to engage with one of the most feared topics of conversation: politics.

Over five weeks, we embarked on a civic journey. Our learners discovered the legislative process, weighed the pros and cons of an electoral college, created art used for activism and designed a policy flier imploring our Legislators to act now. We watched as our learners took charge and discovered policy issues impacting young people – not just adults. The ultimate goal? Journey to Capitol Hill and share their passion to Representatives. In groups of 4 – 5, our learners became lobbyists determined to spark change. Using the UN Rights of a Child as a guide, we asked our learners – what change do you want to see in our country? What Call to Action do you have for our politicians?

The answers both supposed and inspired us:

“No More Silence, Stop Gun Violence”

“Raise the Refugee Cap”

“More Play in the Day”

“Free Health Lunch in School”

“Affordable College for All”

Often, as adults, we assume that young people are disengaged with politics. We talk around the issue, operating under the false assumption that politics has little impact on them. This is done with the best intentions, it is the desire to shield them from the familiar vitriol and hate that has seeped into our political landscape. But as I watched our learners take charge of this project, I am reminded of the energy of young people. There’s something profoundly moving about watching a group of learners all under the age of 10 step into the realm of politics. As I chaperoned my group, I watched Discovery go from office to office – speaking to both Congressional staffers and Representatives. I couldn’t help but be in awe of the courage our learners exhibited when demanding change from our elected officials. Pride swelled in my chest as I watched each person we met exhibit the same expression of admiration and wonder as our learners delivered well practice speeches about their policy issue. Each interaction ended the same – a call to action and a tough question – what is your Representative doing to enact positive change in the community?

As I reflect on our Project, I am reminded that it’s not just the learner’s energy or courage that inspires us — it’s the audacity to hope. In a world too often bogged down by cynicism, conflict and division, learners’ engagement serves as a reminder to us all that politics is not just about power; it’s about possibility. I believe this possibility is endless, and can be found in our future generation of young learners.