In your wildest dreams, what have you dared to imagine that school could be like?
A system that is truly committed to staff and students physical, mental and emotional wellness?
Free breakfast, lunch, and even dinner?
The majority of the day spent in passion-led exploration and learning?
Free before and after care?
Partnerships and internships with local community and global organizations who are doing good for the planet and its inhabitants?
Financial literacy and entrepreneurship?
A small "teacher" to student ratio?
A truly collaborative and supportive team environment free from hierarchies?
It almost sounds too good to be true... except it isn't.
Heidi DeCoux is an educational visionary (some may call her a "radical") with the determination and audacity to bring her vision into reality. She likens her Illuminated Life School model, to that of Uber - not trying to take on the taxi system itself, but rather offering an (elevated in this case) alternative to the current system available.
Every minute detail of the system, the school day, the planning and execution has been scrutinized through a lens of equity (from the fabric of the uniforms for those with tactile sensitivities, to the whole-food, home-grown free meals, to the 1.5hr drop-off time, to the instructional practices, gender, cultural, financial and religious inclusivity and equity) and mental and emotional wellness.
The spaces are open, shared and foster collaboration. Students groups are fluid, based not on age, but by interest and/or ability (depending on the task/project)...
And well, I'll let Heidi herself describe the rest.
Prepare yourself, Teacher Brain! This is going to blow your mind!
LINKS
Illuminated Life School Website: https://illuminatedlifeschool.org/
Virtual Open House
DONATE to the Illuminated Life School: https://illuminatedlifeschool.org/donate/
Heidi DeCoux Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heididecoux/
Illuminated Life School Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/IlluminatedLifeSchool
Teaching Little Brains Facebook Group
Teaching Little Brains Instagram