HIGHLIGHTS
Imaginal Education – Slides plus Brief and Introductory Audios
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Launched in 1964, the 5TH CITY PRESCHOOL, was the first community program for changing images through a structure, a curriculum, a time design, and the entire school environment. Uniquely the preschool had four schools within the school – Infant, Mini, Pre and Kinder – focusing on the unique development of each age level from 18 weeks until age five. The Preschool was recognized in 1969 as “one of the ten best preschools in the United States“. The three and four year olds are still being taught at the Preschool and have more than 60 years of graduating preschoolers who excel in elementary school.
Training, Inc for Job Training Success
TRAINING, INC. began in the Chicago area in 1975. Within 5 years it opened 4 new sites in Chicago and was nationally recognized by the Department of Labor as one of the best job training programs in the country. The training model was then replicated in cities such as Indianapolis, Boston, Pittsburgh, New Jersey, and Washington DC. Fifty years later Boston and many workforce development programs still operate. Timelines and curriculum have changed over time, but the best practices demonstrated by the original training team remain constant.
Junior High Rites Of Passage
Junior High RITES OF PASSAGE were developed for their 6th grade through 9th grade years. Sixth graders went on a one month summer trip created as a rite of passage from childhood to becoming teenagers. For their seventh and eight grade years they participated in an in-residence Student House. Their ninth grade year was a year abroad where they experienced globally and a new independence before returning to high school.
The Learning Basket
Starting in 1997, the LEARNING BASKET program is based on four concepts of child development and adult learning research: parents and caregivers are babies’ first and most influential teachers; children learn through play; the first three years of life are critical in a child’s brain development; and any object can be a tool for teaching and learning.
Swamp Gravy Arts Project
After a decade of demonstrating transformation in 5th City, Human Development Projects were started in every time zone around the world using a comprehensive development approach (see Human Development Projects). More recently in Athens, Georgia, the SWAMP GRAVY production has demonstrated that community transformation can occur with an emphasis on the arts. The Swamp Gravy production, telling the story of their community, attracted thousands to come to their community as well as being invited to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC
What if …
… the purpose of education was to create positive images resulting in positive behavior?
… individuals were empowered to change their images to release their mystery, depth and greatness?
… communities created images that empowered residents to address their challenges and create the community they desired?
These questions have been tested since the 1960s in youth gangs, preschools and public schools, and communities and organizations. Curriculum was created and courses were developed that are taught globally today.