A HAMILTON DISTRICT CHRISTIAN HIGH PUBLICATION
SPRING 2023
Vol. 16 Issue 2
Radical Hospitality Generous hospitality has always been part of a visit to HDCH. One only needs to attend a membership meeting, sports tournament, or Orientation Day, to experience the ways that we welcome members of the community through extending hospitality. Full plates of squares, coffee, and tea…all with joyful fellowship...is the HD way. Radical hospitality takes that idea deeply into relationships. hhh HDCH Vice Principal and Art Teacher, Jonathan DeVries, tells an interesting story about how David Smith’s work became the focus of staff professional development sessions in 2022-23. A few years ago, Jonathan received a copy of David Smith’s book, On Christian Teaching, as a gift and he admits he just put the book on his shelf. Fast forward to 2022. Colleagues attended an Edvance conference session led by Smith and they were really excited about what they heard!
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Academic excellence is important and something we do well at HDCH. What we are most concerned about, and what we think about from Grade Nine Day through to Graduation, is building each student’s character. Jonathan DeVries, Vice Principal hhh
PHOTO : HANK RINTJEMA
Jonathan took the cue, and started to read his copy of the book. He found it loaded with good, practical ways that he and all HD educators could add radical hospitality to their practice. He also saw that it connected perfectly with the school’s mission: Cultivating character through learning for a life of service to God. HD educators are exploring the many ways that this book speaks to going beyond the hospitality status quo. Radical hospitality is about making space for a situation that isn’t welcome, such as when a student’s behavior might cause a strain on a loving relationship. Radical hospitality can start in a classroom setting with a student who struggles to be in that space. Radical hospitality calls educators to help these students feel heard, accepted, and seen as an integral part of the classroom community. One of the goals of radical hospitality is to move students beyond themselves. HD’s educators guide students to continued....