This fourth article in our series about SelfDesign philosophy explores how mutual respect makes possible the positive supportive relationships we need and thrive under with people, animals and the planet. Fostering mutual respect with our kids takes us on a journey of partnership.
Every fall, learners from grades 8 to 12 with SelfDesign Learning Community elect 10 of their peers to represent them on SelfDesign’s Learner Council. The main role of this group of elected learners is to be a voice for the school’s learner body and act as a bridge between learners and the school’s leadership and administration. Learners throughout the school [...]
When John finished grade 12 with SelfDesign journey last June, the 18-year-old had already achieved considerable skill in computer programming. That he was able to do so, he says, is largely due to the encouragement he experienced as a SelfDesign learner to explore his passions and interests as integral elements of his learning. “There’s so many opportunities that came out [...]
On October 30, 2022, 18-year-old Nicholas set a world record in the men's 200-metre freestyle S14 swimming event at the FINA [International Swimming Federation] World Cup preliminaries in Toronto. Three months earlier, he had set a Commonwealth Games record in the 200-m freestyle S14 Para swimming event in Birmingham, England. Those achievements followed a silver medal in the same event [...]
SelfDesign® Learning Community is all about supporting learners so that they can be successful in their learning and in meeting their learning goals. It’s what we do. It’s what we’re known for. It’s what sets us apart from many other schools. As part of that, SelfDesign Support Services arranges support for learners and their families who have been diagnosed with [...]
SelfDesign believes in the safety, acceptance and inclusion of all learners in regard to ability, learning style, culture, race, personal or spiritual beliefs, and gender identity and expression. We work year-round to find ways to implement SOGI 123 (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity 123) throughout our organization and offerings to support our learners and other community members who identify as [...]
SelfDesign believes that learning happens in relationship and in community. To help make this happen, we offer safe spaces where our learners can gather, connect and share. These include everything from our Genius Hours for learners in grade 3 to 9 to our themes, workshops and circles for learners in grades 6 to 12. One secure online space we hold [...]
When SelfDesign learners and their families, and educators gathered in the Lower Mainland last spring for our Commencement Ceremony celebrating our Class of 2022, they were treated to a performance by one of their peers. At the ceremony, Amelia, who finished her SelfDesign learning journey in June with a Dogwood Diploma (B.C. certificate of graduation), sang a haunting traditional Celtic [...]
Verena Gibbs joined the SelfDesign® Learning Foundation Board of Directors in 2017 because she thought it would be a good way to support an organization that had given her so much earlier in her career. “I’m very grateful to have worked with Brent Cameron, River Meyer, Kathleen Forsythe and Michael Maser while at Wondertree and SelfDesign between 2002 and 2009. [...]
At SelfDesign, each learner contributes to a portfolio that showcases and celebrates their own learning and achievements throughout the year. “I like to call it the pot of gold at the end of each semester,” says Educational Program team lead Janice Green. “We introduce the process in the fall, and learners add to it throughout the semester. At the end [...]
