Professional Community Engages in Experiential Learning for In-Service Day

St. Margaret’s had a vibrant, engaging in-service day on Monday, as more than 100 professional community members from the Middle School and Upper School traveled to Julian to take part in an experiential-education professional development day.

 

The in-service day was centered around Camp Stevens in Julian, the longtime location of the Upper School’s annual grade 12 retreat. The US and MS faculty were able to take part in one of 10 different experiential-learning workshops which were designed to build community among teachers, position the professional community as engaged learners, and introduce the why and how of experiential learning as a teaching practice.

 

Each workshop centered around the Experiential Learning Cycle developed by psychologist David Kolb, which is the basis of a continuous learning through experience. The cycle includes:

 

Concrete Experience: Where the learners engages in a new experience.

Reflective Observation of the Experience: Where the learner reflects on the experience in the light of their existing knowledge.

Abstract Conceptualization: Where the reflection gives rise to a new idea or modifies an existing abstract concept.

Active Experimentation: Where the newly created concept gives rise to new experimentation, and the learner applies their ideas to the world around them.

 

Each of the in-service day activities were organized and experienced through the lens of Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle. The professional community had the opportunity to explore geography and cartography, examine the historical and cultural evolution of Julian, explore the sociology of food, dive into the work of California mosaic artist James Hubbell, hike along the famed Pacific Crest Trail, investigate textile artistry, experience the ecosystem through birding, and examine species conservation at the California Wolf Center. Two other opportunities took place outside of Julian, exploring California’s Mission System and examining the cultural rise and social dynamics around the rapidly growing sport of pickleball.

 

The in-service day was both a community-building opportunity among the Tartan professional community as well as an opportunity to see experiential learning in action, as St. Margaret’s school leaders continue to evolve the academic curriculum to integrate more experiential education.

 

The in-service day was overseen by Director of Experiential Education Dr. Ryan Carey, Upper School Principal Amy Roberts and Middle School Principal Mike Allison, with curriculum developed by principals and directors of community life, and facilitated by faculty in both the Upper School and Middle School.

 

St. Margaret’s Lower School professional community had an division-specific in-service day with important training and grade-level planning.

 

The morning workshops were followed by a Learning for Justice exercise, with the afternoon dedicated to grade-level planning.

 

Early School Director Dr. Cris Lozon and Assistant Director Dr. Sonia Yoshizawa led an engaging discussion with Early School faculty.

 

The Early School spent time focusing on constructivism and play, diving into the science behind brain development and how young children learn. They also worked on productive questioning, and how early-childhood educators can use questions to stimulate curiosity and deeper thinking among young children.