On May 13, Immanuel Academy St. Louis teachers participated in author and educator Karen Glass’s Full-Day Charlotte Mason seminar of “Secure the Foundation” in Greenwood, Indiana. The seminar runs from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and includes four sessions: Session #1 A few broad essential principals; Session #2 Think Clear: The Mind of a Person; Session #3 Feel Deep: the heart of a Person; Session #4 Bear Fruit well: The life of a person.
Our teachers are passionate learners. They gathered at 5:00 in the morning and drove to Indiana. Together they discover how a solid foundation creates freedom and confidence in our endeavors. Through this seminar, the Charlotte Mason educators pursue to think more clearly, feel the way through more deeply, and take confidence in knowing our efforts will bear fruits well in children’s education.
Karen Glass has been studying and writing about Charlotte Mason and Classical Education for over twenty years and serves on the Advisory of AmblesideOnline. She has four adult children who have all been homeschooled from beginning to end using Charlotte Mason’s methods.
Immanuel Academy St. Louis teachers have learned and read her popular books titled: Know and Tell (The Art of Narration); Consider This (Charlotte Mason and the Classical Education), In Vital Harmony (Charlotte Mason And The Natural Laws of Education.); Mind to Mind and A Thinking Love.
The following is a reflection shared by 5th-6th lead teacher Ms. Valerie Novak after participating in this seminar:
“Today, during Karen Glass’ seminar, we took an in-depth look at Charlotte Mason’s pedagogy and highlights. We explored what it meant that “Children are born persons,” a quote and principle of Charlotte Mason. How we grow up the students in our care depends on the individual Will (intrinsic motivation and Want to do) of the students.
‘Children are not the fruits of our labors, but bear their own fruits,’ stated Karen Glass. We are facilitators of well-chosen texts and quality literature. It is up to the Mind and Will of the student for what and how much they glean.
We, as teachers, create the atmosphere and help joy! We, as teachers, help our students grow through the positive message of the Holy Spirit! We, as teachers, see their individuality and build relationships that channel growth!
I enjoyed meeting others using Charlotte Mason and learning about different people using her methods. Our teachers, including myself, had an opportunity to ask important questions to Karen Glass, which was extremely valuable in my teaching growth. I look forward to further growth in our curriculum and the principles of Charlotte Mason.”
