doubling-down on skilled-labor, teaching welding,
industrial maintenance, circuitry, construction –
everything our country needs as a result of the mass
Baby Boomer generation retirement.
We’ve championed the moniker #TheMount and
for good reason. Our students are on a journey
of self-discovery, a journey that will take them up
the mountain of personal excellence. In order to
climb this mountain, they’ll need to synthesize their
learning, apply its knowledge and reflect on their
progress. That’s what STEAM, both conceptually and
practically, is all about. We’re committed to thwarting
old paradigms, opting instead to create new ones. We
see ourselves as creators – not merely prescription
fillers – who inspire students to think and do like
creators not consumers. We’re bonded by an oath
to prepare our students for an ever-changing global
economy by eradicating learning silos, marginalizing
standardized tests and, above all, dispelling fear. Are
we perfect? Of course not, but we’re also not afraid to
be imperfect. Do we fail? Sometimes. But when we
do, we always make sure we fail forward, learning and
growing from our calculated risks.
People ask me all the time, What is STEAM? Here’s my
thought: STEAM is loving Art and Science, creating
an advanced educational state of mind. Swing by The
Mount sometime, we’ll show you what we mean…
Ryan Jackson, Ed.D. is the executive Lead
Principal of The Mount Pleasant Arts Innovation
Zone in Maury County, Tennessee, the nation’s
first PK-12 STEAM campus. Read his blog: The
Underdog’s Advocate and follow him on Twitter @
RyanBJackson.
JUNE
2018