the academy model
Kira Schadegg and Denise DiFiglia
Boys and girls really are different! Their brains are different. Their hormonal
influences are different. These physiological differences cause boys and girls
to learn differently. In the New Church we know from doctrine that men and
women are different down to their innermost being. The exciting thing is that
the rest of the world is catching up!
Now we are having secular corroboration of these teachings from the
world of science. Why is scientific proof important? It provides natural
evidence for a spiritual reality. Much of our scientific evidence is gathered by
the Gurian Institute, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Academy of
the New Church is a Gurian Model School. But we believe we have as much
to offer the Gurian Institute in regards to the nature of the genders as it has to
offer us in scientific research.
On March 26, Denise DiFiglia, Kyle Genzlinger and Kira Schadegg gave
a presentation at the Small Boarding Schools Conference at the Vanguard
School in Lake Wales, Florida. This was an opportunity to highlight what being
a Gurian Model School is all about. It was also an opportunity to showcase our
unique method for single-gender education coupled with co-ed education. We
have the best of both worlds and had many of the attendees agreeing with us
by the end of our workshop. (There were 200 attendees, including heads of
schools, admissions directors and educational consultants.)
Denise began the workshop with an introduction highlighting our
school make-up and mission. Kira and Kyle discussed some current research
about differences between male and female brains and hormones, with a view
to how those differences impact what takes place in the classroom.
Infused into the talks were examples of things our colleagues are doing
in their all-boys, all-girls and co-ed classes. We ended the workshop with
a question-and-answer period that was illustrative and engaging for the
participants and the three of us.
new church music scholarship
The New Church Scholarship Fund promotes the highest quality growth of
music and music education in New Church schools and societies. The fund
provides financial assistance to individuals enrolled in undergraduate degrees
in music.
Eligible applicants must be participating members of a New Church
community and have demonstrated an active involvement in music in the
community. Applicants also must show proof of their involvement in New
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