Peaceful Conflict Resolution Workshop
Recently, parents of students at Mountain Sun Community School participated in a peaceful conflict resolution workshop. Parents acted out scenarios and were given guidance from three MSCS teachers on how to handle conflict peacefully…
Celebration of Life
Birthdays are special for children and adults alike. I have fond memories of birthday celebrations at home with friends and families. I remember eating homemade cake and bobbing for apples on one particular birthday…
Experiential Learning at Mountain Sun Community School
Our journey began with a silent hike down a steep and winding trail, minds full of anticipation and excitement for a different kind of school week. As the trail came to an end, the landscape opened up into the beautiful valley of Buffalo Cove Outdoor Education Center…
Finding Connections
If you have ever asked yourself (or your high school math teacher), “When am I ever going to use calculus?” then you will appreciate this. If you ever had to memorize the names of Columbus’ boats or the steps of the scientific method, and have privately thought, “So what?” then you already get my point…
The Capacity to be Kind
I believe that everyone has the capacity to be kind. When working with some of my toughest students in wilderness therapy, this belief may have been momentarily challenged, but in the end I was amazed at how often, when given the chance, individuals will choose to be kind…
Fostering Creativity
Children are all born with an innate need to create: to build, to make, to tinker. Our job as teachers is to foster that creativity and keep that fire burning so that need to create does not get extinguished. Creativity is something we all have within, but it just tends to get used less and less as we grow older…
From the Archives: The 2016 Kinder Experience
If you haven’t had the opportunity to sit in “the invisible chair” and observe the natural flow of this energetic, yet peaceful classroom, please schedule a time soon. You will likely see Kinders acting as leaders in the classroom…
A Place at MSCS
This was my first year with Mountain Sun Community School and I was turned loose in a world full of discovery, exploration, creativity, belonging, and inspiration. I can’t describe this place without these words so it is so fitting that we use them to shape our school. My time here has been eye opening to what education can be for our community’s children and me…
Exercising "Disappointment Muscles"
A great amount of time is invested in designing the layout of a classroom, particularly in a Montessori prepared environment. How close are the Art materials to a sink? What about the Practical Life materials that often include liquid for the children to practice and perfect their pouring skills? Where is the more calm and quiet space that supports the ideas and practices of the Peace Table as well as the Library? Where is the space that can accommodate the whole class for Gathering Time?
Care of the Environment
One of my favorite things about teaching is creating a special environment for children. Some key things I take into consideration when preparing the environment include the use of child-sized furniture, soft lighting, live vegetation, minimal visual distractions, and a cozy home-like feel…
Mountain Sun Teaches Art Of Peaceful Resolutions
"I feel sad when you told me that I couldn't play with you because I wanted to play with the blocks too," said a Mountain Sun Community School (MSCS) Owl student…
Mountain Sun Embraces Montessori Philosophy
Mountain Sun Community School, located at the Brevard Music Center, has offered the children of this community an independent, inspired education for nearly a decade. For children ages 3 through middle school, Mountain Sun combines Montessori education with outdoor exploration, artistic creativity and community service…