WSS EmpowerED - 'Sourced Education for Cultural Renewal' with Sarah Stabler of Springhouse

Sarah Stabler provides a comprehensive overview of the philosophy, mission, and educational approach of Springhouse, a school located in Floyd, Virginia. Sarah begins by reflecting on the connection between protecting the wild and gentle aspects of life, emphasizing the importance of preserving the grace inherent in both wilderness and human existence. She highlights Springhouse's alignment with the Whole Systems educational approach, noting the school's commitment to addressing the complex crises of our time through generational efforts aimed at transforming culture.

Springhouse, established in 2014, was founded with the vision of creating a world where all life thrives. The school's mission is to fundamentally transform the purpose and practice of education by emphasizing community, holistic development, and place-based learning. Sarah explains that education is a powerful vehicle for cultural change, as it shapes the values, skills, and knowledge passed from one generation to the next. Springhouse rejects the traditional educational system that perpetuates capitalist and post-industrial values, instead advocating for a new educational paradigm that is vitality-centered, intergenerational, diverse, and holistic.

Sarah outlines the key principles and practices of Springhouse's curriculum, which is designed to foster community, develop self-awareness, and encourage active participation in the local environment. The school emphasizes the importance of shared values, community practices, and rites and rituals in creating a supportive and connected learning environment. Additionally, the curriculum is interdisciplinary, with a focus on integrating knowledge from various fields, including the sciences, arts, and humanities, to inspire new possibilities for cultural renewal.

Sarah also discusses the expansion of Springhouse's programs to include young adults, elementary students, and elders, making the school a truly intergenerational community. The school has also embraced the cultural exchange brought by a growing population of asylum seekers from Spanish-speaking countries, incorporating dual-language immersion into their programs.

Sarah underscores the importance of holistic human development as a foundation for cultural renewal, drawing on the work of depth psychologist Bill Plotkin. She stresses that the staff's personal development is crucial to the success of the school's mission, as they must embody the values and principles they seek to impart to their students. The presentation closes with examples of Springhouse's innovative projects and community engagement efforts, illustrating the school's commitment to transforming education and, by extension, society as a whole.

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A note from WSS:
Loving unity and empowerment is a conscious choice, it takes hard work, it takes commitment, it takes eternal vigilance to walk in another’s shoes, every day, and the requisite discipline to continue to make this same choice, day after day, rather than to seek the comfort of tribal dynamics or of distraction from the pain of others.

All are welcome in this process to learn and collaborate on a new way of being with each other through conscious empowerment and radical caring.

[ecomediacompass]

“The eyes of the future are looking back at us, and they are praying for us to see beyond our own time.” Teri Tempest Williams
Loves this monologue which shares a beautiful perspective of these lessons and wisdom. Thank you WSS and Sarah!

[ynej]

00:11 Springhouse focuses on whole system educational redesign.
02:55 Springhouse was started as a high school to fundamentally transform the purpose and practice of education.
07:47 Springhouse supports all age groups in non-traditional education
10:05 Sourced education for cultural renewal
15:14 Community is the foundation for learning and cultural renewal
17:39 Springhouse community practices shared values, community practices, and rights/rituals
21:45 Building community through rituals and shared experiences.
23:55 Holistic approach to self-awareness and cultural understanding
28:16 Engagement in local community
30:19 Promoting biodiversity and ecological standards for sustainable consumption