"EDUCATION CAN’T SAVE US.
WE HAVE TO SAVE EDUCATION."
~ Dr. Bettina Love
WE HAVE TO SAVE EDUCATION."
~ Dr. Bettina Love
Education creates culture. It is where we pass down to young people what we value.
No one person or design can save education. There is not one solution but we can experiment with educational design (and this doesn't just mean in schools), in ways that bring us all alive. There are three facets of building sustainable regenerative culture through vitality-centered education: a generative shared myth; curriculum that supports individual eco-centric human development; and community continuity and commitment over time and in place. These three facets lead to a living example of the cultural design that gives courage and hope to others who wish to put vitality at the front and center of design.
Education is at the heart of cultural design. We have heard a lot about the problems associated with the industrial model of education. We also hear a lot about the dream of what education could be. When we reorient the purpose of education, the practice of education changes. Springhouse is an example of what is possible when vitality is at the center of educational design. Vitality, like the wind or the water, or our very breath, cannot be defined, but we still know its presence. Even though we cannot put a fine point on what vitality means, we can point to it by creating communities that bring us more fully alive. The experience of vitality in the community is the evidence of the efficacy of the design. Through continued iteration, experimentation, and sharing our experience with others, we are beginning to weave a web of communities seeking to foster vitality through the Sourced Design Network.
Let is Begin with Us
We face great challenges as a species and as a planet. It is time to wake up more fully to the vitality within and around us and to live in ways that take care of and awaken life in others. Adults play a very important role, if not the most important role, in building regenerative culture by designing vitality-centered education. Adults can strengthen their role in reorienting cultural design in ways that foster life by engaging in practices like mentoring, eco-centric depth experiences, and apprenticing to delivery systems that cultivate vitality in their communities. When youth are immersed in a culture where adults commit to the vital lives they hope for in teens, they learn from who the adults are, and begin to live in ways that honor the vitality that moves through them. In the world of education innovation, we often hear about what we should do to and for our young people. Change starts with adults actually doing what we hope for in our young people. If we want more creativity, curiosity, and vitality in our communities- let us have the strength to bring what we hope for in our youth. This requires great inner strength, opportunities to practice, and a community to support and challenge us.
We continue to experiment and wrestle with the vitality-centered design and how it is practiced in a vitality-centered educational design. The design principles offer the structure needed to take care of and foster vitality. Education is how we relate to one another and with the Earth within that structure. It is how we live and learn together in community. There will always be more questions than answers as we listen deeply and design our way into a more regenerative and sustainable culture.
Springhouse: A Living Example
In 2014, from the rich community and landscape of Floyd, Virginia, and the care of those who deeply longed for a more vital and creative culture, Springhouse emerged. Now with a vibrant and devoted community to tend to it, Springhouse thrives as an exemplar in vitality-centered education.
Springhouse envisions a regenerative culture where all people are connected to the vitality within themselves, their community, and the Earth. Our mission is to awaken a vitality-centered education that empowers people to courageously respond to the world's emerging needs. Springhouse offers a day school program for adolescents, coming of age programs for pre-teens and teens, adult development programs that strengthen our communities, and a network of support for vitality-centered practitioners globally.
At Springhouse, we have seen what happens when vitality is placed at the center of the design. Awakening vitality within ourselves and within the community strengthens our capacity to courageously respond to the world's emerging needs. When design arises from deep listening, the shape it reflects a collective orientation around something deeper. The design becomes something not perfect, but unique and surprising, and holds a vitality that unfortunately many of us are not accustomed to. Creativity, resiliency, and connection (to name a few) are more readily accessible. In a place where vitality is at the center, the love is palpable. At Springhouse, learners actively engage in experiences oriented around vitality, like building a 22-foot sailboat, getting to know community and place by taking a 48-mile walking trip, or organizing community conversations on race. They know that becoming more vibrant and courageous people is what the world needs. With a vitality-centered design, success ultimately is determined by a learner’s (no matter the age) continued commitment to respecting and cultivating life in themselves, their communities, and with regard to the Earth.
No one person or design can save education. There is not one solution but we can experiment with educational design (and this doesn't just mean in schools), in ways that bring us all alive. There are three facets of building sustainable regenerative culture through vitality-centered education: a generative shared myth; curriculum that supports individual eco-centric human development; and community continuity and commitment over time and in place. These three facets lead to a living example of the cultural design that gives courage and hope to others who wish to put vitality at the front and center of design.
Education is at the heart of cultural design. We have heard a lot about the problems associated with the industrial model of education. We also hear a lot about the dream of what education could be. When we reorient the purpose of education, the practice of education changes. Springhouse is an example of what is possible when vitality is at the center of educational design. Vitality, like the wind or the water, or our very breath, cannot be defined, but we still know its presence. Even though we cannot put a fine point on what vitality means, we can point to it by creating communities that bring us more fully alive. The experience of vitality in the community is the evidence of the efficacy of the design. Through continued iteration, experimentation, and sharing our experience with others, we are beginning to weave a web of communities seeking to foster vitality through the Sourced Design Network.
Let is Begin with Us
We face great challenges as a species and as a planet. It is time to wake up more fully to the vitality within and around us and to live in ways that take care of and awaken life in others. Adults play a very important role, if not the most important role, in building regenerative culture by designing vitality-centered education. Adults can strengthen their role in reorienting cultural design in ways that foster life by engaging in practices like mentoring, eco-centric depth experiences, and apprenticing to delivery systems that cultivate vitality in their communities. When youth are immersed in a culture where adults commit to the vital lives they hope for in teens, they learn from who the adults are, and begin to live in ways that honor the vitality that moves through them. In the world of education innovation, we often hear about what we should do to and for our young people. Change starts with adults actually doing what we hope for in our young people. If we want more creativity, curiosity, and vitality in our communities- let us have the strength to bring what we hope for in our youth. This requires great inner strength, opportunities to practice, and a community to support and challenge us.
We continue to experiment and wrestle with the vitality-centered design and how it is practiced in a vitality-centered educational design. The design principles offer the structure needed to take care of and foster vitality. Education is how we relate to one another and with the Earth within that structure. It is how we live and learn together in community. There will always be more questions than answers as we listen deeply and design our way into a more regenerative and sustainable culture.
Springhouse: A Living Example
In 2014, from the rich community and landscape of Floyd, Virginia, and the care of those who deeply longed for a more vital and creative culture, Springhouse emerged. Now with a vibrant and devoted community to tend to it, Springhouse thrives as an exemplar in vitality-centered education.
Springhouse envisions a regenerative culture where all people are connected to the vitality within themselves, their community, and the Earth. Our mission is to awaken a vitality-centered education that empowers people to courageously respond to the world's emerging needs. Springhouse offers a day school program for adolescents, coming of age programs for pre-teens and teens, adult development programs that strengthen our communities, and a network of support for vitality-centered practitioners globally.
At Springhouse, we have seen what happens when vitality is placed at the center of the design. Awakening vitality within ourselves and within the community strengthens our capacity to courageously respond to the world's emerging needs. When design arises from deep listening, the shape it reflects a collective orientation around something deeper. The design becomes something not perfect, but unique and surprising, and holds a vitality that unfortunately many of us are not accustomed to. Creativity, resiliency, and connection (to name a few) are more readily accessible. In a place where vitality is at the center, the love is palpable. At Springhouse, learners actively engage in experiences oriented around vitality, like building a 22-foot sailboat, getting to know community and place by taking a 48-mile walking trip, or organizing community conversations on race. They know that becoming more vibrant and courageous people is what the world needs. With a vitality-centered design, success ultimately is determined by a learner’s (no matter the age) continued commitment to respecting and cultivating life in themselves, their communities, and with regard to the Earth.
Resources
Sustainable Education (Foundational Reading)
Vital Hubs for Cultural Regeneration (Foundational Reading)
Dr. Bettina Love (Foundational Reading)
Schooled by Democracy
Continuing the Conversation: Recovering the Sacred in Education
Seed and Spark
The Power to Transform: Leadership That Brings Learning and Schooling to Life
Springhouse Examples
Relearn Festival- Jenny Finn and Springhouse Learners
Creative Bravery Festival- with Jenny and Springhouse Learners
Learner Centered Leaders Invest Time in Developing Deep Connected Relationships
Capitalizing on the Natural Structures of Freedom by Jenny Finn
Springhouse Culture Tender Skills and Tasks
Vitality-Centered Educational Model
Springhouse media links (This link includes many stories about Springhouse that have been in the media)
Reflection questions
- Of the resources listed above, which ones are you drawn to and why?
- After viewing the Springhouse examples shared here, do you have any questions?
- What inspires you about Springhouse?
- Are there Springhouse practices you could see trying in your community? If so, why? Some that you couldn't? If so why?
- What questions do you have for Springhouse after reviewing the resources and examples?
- What connection is there to your inner life and what you hope to manifest in your community?
- Are there particular gifts that the place or the community you are in holds, like fertile soil, that can help what you are called to bring forth grow?
Quick Links
Regenerative Culture
Take care of vulnerability
Cultivate personhood
Build beloved community
Respect the wisdom of the Earth
Love and serve others.
Regenerative Culture
Take care of vulnerability
Cultivate personhood
Build beloved community
Respect the wisdom of the Earth
Love and serve others.