WHAT’S NEW
At Madeira some initiatives remain “new” for many years. We still refer to “New” Dorm, the “new” schedules, and sometimes, even the “new” Head! Of the three, the schedules are the newest, and five years in, I look back on the discussions around the table as we were getting ready to launch this major change in how we structure teaching and learning. RE-THINKING OUR ACADEMIC SCHEDULE
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Our newly articulated teaching philosophy— learning should be active, experiential, and joyful—neatly expresses what we want our girls to encounter.
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As with any change, bringing about a totally new structure brought considerable challenge to our community, and I still remember the day before we made the announcement there was palpable trepidation at our administrative meeting. However, as educators, we were more than aware that schedules are but a structure, albeit essential, that determine how and when students learn. At the outset, changing how we organized the day or the entire school year was not our goal. As we researched best practices, discussed what faculty believed best supported learning, and rethought what we needed to teach in terms of skills and content, we realized that in order to bring teaching and learning more in tune with the needs of a changing world, we would have to rethink how we structured schedules. Our newly articulated teaching philosophy—learning should be active, experiential, and joyful—neatly expresses what we want our girls to encounter. Upmost in our minds five years ago was the goal of preparing young women to be lifelong learners and successful in a world which requires global and cultural understanding, finely honed communications skills, teamwork, discernment, and problem solving. We were also concerned about the rising levels of stress and distress among adolescents, which affects girls most profoundly and stands in the way of learning. We were striving to create a setting that would nourish intellectual development as well as emotional health. NEW SCHEDULE SUCCESSFUL
Five years into the Mod schedule, we have achieved success beyond our expectations. The longer class periods allow for deeper and more interactive learning, and encourage girls to draw connections among different disciplines, both on their own and through newly created interdisciplinary studies. Breaks between periods allow both physical and mental respite. Five-week modules allow them to experience the world of work as well as to explore interests and passions. The distribution of time throughout the day requires girls to learn time management and is also more humane in providing them ample time to study, 2
MADEIRA TODAY WINTER 2019
