I spent a (rare!) beautiful spring evening back at school last night. As I drove there, I admit I had some grumpy thoughts about being pulled away from my family, who were lounging over dinner out on the deck, in order to go back to work. But then I stepped into Avalon's last evening of senior presentations for 2011 and realized that it was worth it. At my school we have all of our graduating students undertake a 300+ hour independent project. Of their choice. In the spring we take them on a retreat and we give suggestions, offer guidance, critique ideas- but the topic of study is entirely up to the student. So is the method of study, the timelines, the final product, and for the most part, the grade. And they wow me each and every time.
These projects always run the gamut from the real hands-on to the deep thinkers. This year we had topics such as: Hollywood and the Other: Representations of Minorities in Film and Television, Fascist Youth in the Weimer Republic, and a deep exploration into political theory that taught me more in 30 minutes than my semester long poli-sci college class. And then we had a kid who built an electrical guitar, while another built himself a crossbow. Where else are you going to get that chance in public education these days? Yet another senior learned how to blacksmith. And then he built himself a forge in his backyard. A forge. Where he did blacksmithing. Sprinkle in a handful of amazing photography, visual art, and environmental explorations and you have the Avalon Senior Class of 2011. Every last one of these kids climbs up on to a stage in May and gives a 30 minute presentation to an audience that can number in the hundreds. After the applause dies down they stand and face questions that are often thrown out by college professors and experts in their fields of study. And they knock them out of the park. These kids know their stuff. And they know that they know it. They stand tall, look the audience in the eye, and fill us with hope for the future. If these are the leaders of tomorrow, I'm following.
Another thing that fills me with hope and pride and really, love, for my school is that in this audience you will always find a number of underclass Avalonians. Who just came because they were interested. Interested in the Weimar republic, or Fukayama's political theories, or permaculture. And they listen attentively, nodding along, smiling, then tossing out their own killer questions. Questions they are asking because they want to know more. The respect they show for their fellow classmates is a beautiful thing. I watch them watching the seniors and I get excited for next year's batch of senior projects.
After the presentations end for the night staff invariably have to break up knots of students who are intently discussing the ideas that were just presented, or who are hugging their fellow classmates, giving heartfelt praise on a job well done, but kick them out we do. And then we follow them out into the night and send them on their way- another batch of students who have just taken a large step into the world of adulthood. I know that traditional schools also provide a myriad of challenging opportunities for the youth of today, but I think that what we do at Avalon is different, challenging, and great.
No comments:
Post a Comment