When your school is nestled in the cloud forest of Costa Rica, the whole world is your classroom. Even when inside, we’re often visited by toucans, pizote and other exotic creatures outside the windows, and can hear/feel/taste the clouds blowing right through the school.
The other day, Emmanuel Hemsi took his young class out for a very quick Nature Appreciation walk. Nothing long, and nothing spoken. Just walking single-file, stopping to see, touch and smell a variety of plants. Flowers in bloom, moss, dead branches.. each spoke to the children its unique story and place in the cycle.
As I rushed with my camera to capture it (see below), I was struck by the speed of the exercise. This was not a lesson to be taught with words and received by the analytical brain. It was a world to be senses, purely and without interruption.
“Surrounded by nature, supported by love.” Thank you Emmanuel for bringing our school motto to life.
