Dr. Ryan Kimmet, Head of School at the Harley School in Rochester, makes a compelling case that academic rigor and student wellbeing are not opposites and that the century old progressive education model pioneered by John Dewey might be exactly what kids need right now.
Discover what progressive education actually means at Harley, where students from age three through 12th grade learn by doing, collaborate on hands on projects, take creative risks and are assessed in ways that go far beyond memorizing for a test. Learn why small class sizes of around 12 students create the kind of trust between teachers and students that Dr. Kimmet believes is the real engine of academic achievement, and how a restorative approach to conflict keeps community at the center of everything.
Hear Dr. Kimmet share his own experience as a Harley graduate from the mid nineties, what became of his classmates and why the goal was never to get kids into the most prestigious colleges but to help them become happy, healthy and contributing adults who found their passions along the way. He also opens up about the burnout epidemic hitting school aged children today and offers one honest recommendation for parents who want to bring more balance back into their kids’ lives.