THUNDER BAY – Interested in alternative education? If so, the Northern Lights Education Initiative is pleased to announce the new teacher for Thunder Bay’s new Northern Lights Alternative School is Scott Read.
Read, a graduate from the Faculty of Education at Lakehead University, has extensive experience working with youth, developing curriculum, and implementing alternative programming. His professional experience includes: facilitating experiences for youth on extended wilderness expeditions with Outward Bound Canada; acting as the Youth Leadership Coordinator for Pearson International, an international program created with a focus on social and ecological justice at Pearson United World College; and more recently he has worked at the Little Lions Waldorf Kindergarten & Daycare.
“If the students and children I have worked with were to describe me, I think they would say I am gentle and caring and that I can help create and facilitate learning experiences that are adventurous and fun,” said Read, when asked to describe himself as an educator. “I am a very passionate, thoughtful and creative educator. The wonder and curiosity of children is a constant source of inspiration in my work.”
When he is not teaching, Read can usually be found cross-country skiing, canoeing, hiking, running, cycling, playing ultimate frisbee, gardening, cooking and eating great food. As an avid outdoor enthusiast, Read loves Thunder Bay and the vast community that is dedicated to living well in this place.
“Scott really understands and has practical experience in place-based education and will be able to utilize the unique qualities of the Thunder Bay region to enhance the children’s learning experience. This school is about creating an educational experience for the children which is an extension of their home and lived experience,” said Michelle Uvanile, a Northern Lights Education Initiative committee member. “Scott will be able to draw upon his extensive teaching credentials, Waldorf teaching experiences, and his infectious love of and deep appreciation for the natural world to ignite children’s imagination opening them to their fullest potential for learning.”
The Northern Lights Alternative School, which is scheduled to start this fall, is the vision of a group of engaged parents, educators, and community members who have come together to forge an inspiring and research-based approach to education that will foster a passion for learning, a respect for the social and natural worlds, and the creativity to face a changing future. The school is the outcome of many months of dialogue and continued dialogue with community members, community leaders, and the Lakehead Public School Board. The school will feature a small student population, an innovative approach to curriculum, and a commitment to place-based education. The approach is developed from synergies with Waldorf education, the Finnish education model, the recently opened DaVinci and Equinox Holistic Alternative School in Toronto, and supported by cutting edge research in a number of diverse fields.
To learn more, the committee members of the Northern Lights Alternative School are hosting a Community Meeting in the Community Room at Chapters Bookstore on Wednesday August 31st, 2011 at 6:30pm. If you are unable to attend please contact Cary Gillies at carygillies@hotmail.com or visit www.northerneducation.ca
