Do you feel that education is in need of a transformation?
Sandra Cushway, founder of Freedom Thinkers School would say YES. She felt there was a better way to teach and reach children and chose to make that change happen with her school. I contacted Sandra for this episode because everyone kept asking me about this unique school only 2 hours from where I live. This school feels like home. Ages are mixed, students are free to create and the kids are heard and respected. I knew I needed to get Sandra on the podcast, and am I ever happy I did!
Sandra reminds me of an educational revolutionary (and past guest) that I know~ Mara Linaberger. Both are former educators from the public system that decided to take personal action and create a new path in education for kids.
Sandra Cushway wants to see the whole system change. She became so discouraged one day that she decided it was time to quit teaching. But before she did that she realized that she could be part of the change in education instead of giving up on it. So she took the leap and stepped out on her own creating Freedom Thinkers.
Freedom Thinkers
At Freedom Thinkers kids are supported, respected and are given space to create. The age group ranges from about Grades 4-9 but there are no separate classes. Sandra stresses the importance of teaching real life skills such as money management and time management. For example, there are jobs for the students in the school. The jobs are not assigned. Students apply for the jobs that they want. They create resumes and cover letters and apply for the job. Sometimes they compete for a position.
The school uses project based learning. In project based learning the students explore real world challenges and problems that are important to their personal interests. Many of these projects take them beyond the school walls and into their life. Students monitor their own time. Freedom Thinkers does not have set class schedules or bells. Teachers can and do teach specific subjects or programs but that is done in small groups, as they see fit. No day looks the same. Learning is collaborative. Success at the school is not based on a grade or mark. It’s based on where the kids are learning and improving as individuals. One former student that suffers from Dyslexia felt such a change at the school she is going on to speak and blog about her experiences to bring awareness.
What Kind Of Students Attend?
Freedom Thinkers has a growing wait list with not enough space to meet the demand. Last year the school had 48 students. This year there were 61 students. When I last checked in with Sandra she said told me there are 23 spaces available for next year. But she already had 74 applicants for those spaces.
They do not select a specific “type” of student. Students are chosen from a wide spectrum of learning abilities and interests. Sandra really wants people to understand that when you have a program and environment that allows children to learn, create and be themselves- the program will work for anyone.
And the feedback is what makes it worthwhile. Parents and kids say there is a whole different feeling there. They are a family. The students leave thankful at the end of the day. Parents say that their child loves being at school now and they see positive differences in their children. Some families drive an hour each way to get to school everyday.
Sandra holds open houses all of the time and if you happen to find yourself in Fort St. John BC, I encourage you to look in. If you can’t do that, at least listen to this episode where she shares some remarkable stories of the effects their school is having on the kids and community.
As Sandra says, “Let kids learn and support them in it”.
www.freedomthinkerseducation.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freedomthinkerseducation/
