Education Philosophy

Are we brains on sticks? In education, too many believe this to be the case. But as embodied beings, we are more than our minds. Look at the way a child runs, climbs, moves, and mimics.

If education is to involve more than just our brains, what should we include? How, and to what end?

At Mystic Cactus, we believe that all education is, or ought to be, pointed to the greatest ends. Our education should increase our love of God and our fellow men and women. To do this, we engage in some of the following practices:

• When we make mistakes, we apologize and move on
• The words “I love you” come quickly and easily
• We eat when we study, involving more of our senses
• We learn in different locations – chairs, floor, outside, inside
• We build habits of care for one another, routines that remind us we love each other
• We study holy writ
• Sometimes we even watch videos to help us learn
• Sometimes, we learn in silent service to others
• We create with our hands
• We use music every day

Some think that values-neutral education exists, but it doesn’t. Every type of education induces “formation”, or the orienting and training of our loves.

Careful the things you say

Children will listen

Careful the things you do

Children will see and learn

Children may not obey, but children will listen

Children will look to you for which way to turn

To learn what to be

Careful before you say “Listen to me”

Children will listen