Pema and Tashi at Journeys School

The first above picture is of Pema who is the Minister of Education of Bhutan. The second is of Tashi who is affiliated with the UN in Bhutan but who is also a leading naturalist. His daughter, Tinley, also pictured, is a student at Journeys.

I spent many hours taking pictures as they toured Journeys and, as I did, I learned more about this impressive school. A summary in a few words of the approach might be: why read about a worm when you can hold one.
It is all about going out into nature, into the community, into the world to learn. The student teacher ratio is a luxurious 8 - 1. The teachers are in more
or less in constant communication about each student as well as about curriculum. All of the classes are related during the year by a specific theme chosen by the teachers. Teachers are employed 12 months although there is no school during the summer.
The grade level is not fixed. A fourth grader gifted in math might take a high school math class. All of the students are lead to have their own opinions and to voice them. Leadership is fostered.
One of the more impressive facets of Journeys is the emphasis on kindness and consideration. There is a thank you circle everyday for middle and lower school. This is held right after a brief period called Hands to Work where the students clean their own classrooms - vacuum, dust - the works. These fortunate kids are made aware of what they have, how to care for it and the importance of gratitude.