Salmonberry School hosts holistic education conference
Published 10:00 am Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Why are educational leaders, scholars and activists from across the country coming to Orcas Island this summer? To contribute to an ongoing dialogue hosted by the Salmonberry School.
On Sunday, July 31, Salmonberry will host its third Holistic Education Conference. Some of the nation’s leading authors and speakers are making the journey from as far away as Brookline, Mass. to make their voices heard.
Each conference has provided an opportunity for local parents and educators to meet and mingle with speakers and authors and ask challenging questions of them, one another and themselves.
“It’s sort of like a college seminar in education, with some incredible professors in an informal setting and no final exam,” said conference organizer and Salmonberry School director Paul Freedman.
The theme for this year is “How can parents and teachers develop natural learning relationships with young people to nurture growth and development at home and transform schools into places of healing?”
Participants of any age and from any perspective are welcome to join in the discussion of “what it means to parent and educate children humanely and holistically in the modern world,” says Freedman.
Keynote speakers this year include Kirsten Olsen and Ba and Josette Luvmour.
Olson is the author of “Wounded By Schools: Recapturing the Joy of Learning and Standing Up to Old School Culture.”
Ba is the author of “Natural Learning Rhythms: Discovering How and When Your Child Learns and Optimal Parenting.” Josette is the author of “Adult Development: Emergent Wisdom in the Family Context.”
“I am so excited to introduce this year’s speakers to the Orcas Island community,” Freedman said. “Dr. Olson will speak about her research as a doctoral candidate at Harvard University. She interviewed scores of kids, parents, and grandparents from a huge range of backgrounds about their school experiences … The Luvmours will offer their learned perspective having run a retreat center for parents and children for 30 years. The speakers are indeed scholars, but I know these conversations will be grounded and practical. I hope friends and colleagues from all the various educational stripes and persuasions on the island will jump in and share your wisdom.”
Tickets are available online on a sliding scale. On-site childcare is available with advanced registration.
Visit: http://salmonberryschool.org/northwest-holistic-education-conference-2011 for event details and to purchase tickets. E-mail dancingmonkey@rockisland.com or call 376-5111 for more information.
