ABOUT us
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Another Way IS A NONPROFIT 501 (C) 3 SCHOOL BASED IN PARK CITY, UTAH
Another Way OPens the child's mind to an all-encompassing
view of the world
When the Europeans conquered the Americas, they pushed the native populations to the side, denied them their spiritual practices, ignored their natural wisdom, and proceeded to place wealth over all else. They then decimated the native populations and overcame nature rather than to work in balance with it. The result is the world of disharmony and greed we see today.
Another Way is focussed on awakening the mind and restoring the balance that was lost.
At Another Way, there is a strong focus on Native American studies as a core building block in the Another Way approach to education. Joseph Campbell stated in an extraordinary series of interviews with Bill Moyers entitled "The Power of Myth" that the Native People of this land were evolving an enlightened spiritual philosophy and a way of life that was in touch with the land and leading to heightened spiritual evolution. He stated that the Native Peoples of North America were rudely interrupted in this process by European colonization.
There is so much that the ancient cultures of North America have to teach us. At Another Way, we have worked to integrate the knowledge of Native America and early Colonial America within an educational method developed by Dr. Maria Montessori. We believe that what we have created here for the children helps them learn to be emotionally grounded; spiritually aware, consciously and physically present in the moment.
All children reflect the attitudes and behaviors presented by the significant adults in their lives. The cultural matrix into which they are born and raised opens the lens to potentialities that are either life-threatening or life-sustaining. To the best of our ability, we work to open the mind to possibilities that foster conditions favorable to life; to help the children discover their innate True North.
Our teachers are selected because they are masters in their chosen field of study and support the Mission and Vision of Another Way.
We work to model respectful attitudes, behaviors and core values to help awaken respect for all life as our children develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. We observe the children and listen carefully to them. We learn as much from them as they do from us. It is only in this way, that we can present that which will help awaken our own minds as well as theirs to the brotherhood of all life and the spiritual guidance that will lead them to the creation of a peaceful and harmonious society.
Another Way connects the child to the Earth as "Primary Teacher" and to the recognition that service to all Life is essential. An education worthy of the child takes what is best and most noble from civilization and places it in service of the child. The environment and curriculum must inspire passion for excellence, nurture curiosity and imagination and awaken the mind of every child. Every pattern affects every other pattern in Nature. We are One.
"WE ARE ALL RELATED"
- Lakota Spiritual Philosophy
HOW DOES ANOTHER WAY SCHOOL WORK?
Another Way is an education for life, providing a multidimensional Montessori-based curriculum for children ages 3 through 12 years of age. We are dedicated to providing a nurturing environment and the means to help the child awaken the Mind activating higher level executive functions and fostering the development of the whole child.
Cross-disciplinary programs, such as skiing, mindful horsemanship, Friluftsliv, Living history, music dance, and yoga support all activities in the Montessori classroom environment. Children discover who they are and what their personal interests. The educational process at Another Way helps children develop a profound respect for themselves, others, and the environment while developing domain and creativity-relevant skills.
Skilled in their speciality areas, Master Teachers show respect and gratitude for all life forms, and nurture those qualities in the children.
Another Way children are free to passionately explore a subject of interest. We work to foster a deeper understanding in the child's area of interest by including the subject matter in academic studies such as math, writing, reading, history and science as it relates to fostering the child's passion.
Another Way is focussed on awakening the mind and restoring the balance that was lost.
At Another Way, there is a strong focus on Native American studies as a core building block in the Another Way approach to education. Joseph Campbell stated in an extraordinary series of interviews with Bill Moyers entitled "The Power of Myth" that the Native People of this land were evolving an enlightened spiritual philosophy and a way of life that was in touch with the land and leading to heightened spiritual evolution. He stated that the Native Peoples of North America were rudely interrupted in this process by European colonization.
There is so much that the ancient cultures of North America have to teach us. At Another Way, we have worked to integrate the knowledge of Native America and early Colonial America within an educational method developed by Dr. Maria Montessori. We believe that what we have created here for the children helps them learn to be emotionally grounded; spiritually aware, consciously and physically present in the moment.
All children reflect the attitudes and behaviors presented by the significant adults in their lives. The cultural matrix into which they are born and raised opens the lens to potentialities that are either life-threatening or life-sustaining. To the best of our ability, we work to open the mind to possibilities that foster conditions favorable to life; to help the children discover their innate True North.
Our teachers are selected because they are masters in their chosen field of study and support the Mission and Vision of Another Way.
We work to model respectful attitudes, behaviors and core values to help awaken respect for all life as our children develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. We observe the children and listen carefully to them. We learn as much from them as they do from us. It is only in this way, that we can present that which will help awaken our own minds as well as theirs to the brotherhood of all life and the spiritual guidance that will lead them to the creation of a peaceful and harmonious society.
Another Way connects the child to the Earth as "Primary Teacher" and to the recognition that service to all Life is essential. An education worthy of the child takes what is best and most noble from civilization and places it in service of the child. The environment and curriculum must inspire passion for excellence, nurture curiosity and imagination and awaken the mind of every child. Every pattern affects every other pattern in Nature. We are One.
"WE ARE ALL RELATED"
- Lakota Spiritual Philosophy
HOW DOES ANOTHER WAY SCHOOL WORK?
Another Way is an education for life, providing a multidimensional Montessori-based curriculum for children ages 3 through 12 years of age. We are dedicated to providing a nurturing environment and the means to help the child awaken the Mind activating higher level executive functions and fostering the development of the whole child.
Cross-disciplinary programs, such as skiing, mindful horsemanship, Friluftsliv, Living history, music dance, and yoga support all activities in the Montessori classroom environment. Children discover who they are and what their personal interests. The educational process at Another Way helps children develop a profound respect for themselves, others, and the environment while developing domain and creativity-relevant skills.
Skilled in their speciality areas, Master Teachers show respect and gratitude for all life forms, and nurture those qualities in the children.
Another Way children are free to passionately explore a subject of interest. We work to foster a deeper understanding in the child's area of interest by including the subject matter in academic studies such as math, writing, reading, history and science as it relates to fostering the child's passion.
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The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe,
to match your nature with Nature. - Joseph Campbell |
WHY DOES ANOTHER WAY WORK?
- The Native Philosophy "WE ARE ALL RELATED" is honored. This is the philosophy that guides all of our interactions and activities. We greet and bless the day. We honor the plants and animals that provide the nourishing food we eat. We respect ourselves and our brothers in all that we say and do. And, we honor and respect the animals and plants with whom we work and learn. We work together on awakening the mind as we interact respectfully with all life both human and nonhuman.
- The school ENVIRONMENT is very much like home. In fact it IS a home, with rich wood interiors, colorful decorations, different rooms for different activities and a general welcoming warmth. The atmosphere is so comfortable for new students that some have balked at leaving after just one day!
- We foster the INNATE GOODNESS in all children. Another Way teachers model respectful communication, mutual aid, cooperation and collaboration so that these attributes develop naturally in the community of children. We work to awaken the natural state of the child; healthy, aware, purposely engaged, innately wise, joyful and loving.
- ESTABLISHING TRUST is the FIRST PRIORITY when working with young children. In traditional school environments, it can take up to a year before a child comes to trust a teacher and is willing to extend himself to learning new skills. Changing teachers and environments every year undermines trust and violates the child's need to connect to place. At Another Way relationships are established and maintained over time. A parental commitment of 3 years gives our children the opportunity to master skills; the goal being deep-level learning. Trusting their teachers, children are willing to try new things, take intelligent risks and make themselves vulnerable in the face of learning new skills.
- We meet the child's need for CONSTANCY. Children have a need for order as well as a profound need to have a stable place over time where they can safely explore, observe, mirror and learn about the world through their own activity. Children are drawn to, and at home in Nature because it best reflects who they are at heart. Children learn that in the natural world there is not wildness, nor is there tameness. They come to understand that the true creative power of human endeavor within Nature is the result of the skill sets the people have and is experienced in the form of incorporation, influence, conciliation, and compromise (Paul Shepherd).
- ALL teachers work with ALL students. Our staff is comprised of different generations, mirroring the tribal organization that taught Native American children. Children are treated with the same respect and consideration one would give to an adult. Teachers consider each child to be perfect in the moment and work to promote their highest good. And, ALL teachers will respond to ANY child who needs assistance in learning any skill, in any endeavor, or needing help with an emotional issue.
- OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES are integrated into the daily schedule. From Paul Shepherd's work, we learn that the Natural World is a wonderful mystery full of subtle and delicate clues. Signs and signals are all about. The child only has to learn the art of reading them. To really grasp the significance of the influence of Nature, consider taking out all the symbolism, the metaphors and analogies inspired by Nature. Children need to connect with their imaginations to the Natural World, and learn the depth and breadth of expression that contact with Nature fosters.
- Classrooms are MULTI-AGED, which means older children help and encourage the younger ones. Conversely, a younger child may mentor an older child. In this way, the older and younger children model appropriate behavior and develop characteristics needed for respectful, responsible leadership. Powerful relationship-building skills are developed through mutual aid, collaboration and cooperation.
- INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION is a given. "Small is Beautiful" is a guiding principle at Another Way. Communication is most effective in small, intimate groups of people sharing a common vision and common goals. Once initial presentations are given, the Montessori materials on shelves in the environment are largely self-educating, self-correcting works. Children move freely to choose works that most attract their attention. The materials in the classrooms are graded not the child. Teachers observe children to determine what is working and what is not, and to be aware when teachable moments present themselves. Feedback is immediate, concrete and nonjudgmental.
- ALL the children have responsibilities within the school, the garden, as well as with small animals, large animals and prepared learning environments. Through consequences both natural and logical, they learn self-discipline, sequencing, evaluation, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, follow-through on projects, tenacity and resilience.
- The RESULTS of the Another Way approach to teaching can be seen in the graduates of the school, who tend to test above their peers from other schools while maintaining a demeanor and respect for others that is startling in this era of a self-indulgent yet unhappy generation.
Cleaning the horse runs is one of the daily responsibilities of the children.
this is a short video featuring another way school students voicing their thoughts
on caring for the environment.
"go green!"
"If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself,
if you want to eliminate the suffering in the world,
then eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself.
Truly the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self transformation."
-Lao Tzu
