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Mary
McDowell Center for Learning
Quakerism and MMCL |
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The Mary McDowell Center for Learning is a Quaker independent school for children with learning disabilities. The educational philosophy of the Mary McDowell Center for Learning embraces the Quaker values of the individual, the role of the individual within the community, and his/her development of inner strength and spirituality. The Mary McDowell Center for Learning emphasizes the education of the whole child fostering intellectual, social, emotional and physical growth both inside and outside the school. Individual Growth: Independence of individual thought, pleasure in achievement, and cooperative, compassionate and peaceful interaction with others is central to the development of the individual and reflects the mission of the school. The Mary McDowell Center for Learning strives to provide each student with the basic tools to become a critical thinker who endeavors to discover truth and acquire knowledge throughout his/her life. Developing clarity of thought, encouraging expression of ideas and feelings, finding methods for sharing and testing insights, and making and implementing responsible decisions are paramount to the growth of the individual. The Individual within the Community: Quakers believe that true development of the individual is possible only within the context of creation of a feeling of community. This feeling starts in the classroom and moves outward in concern and commitment to service to the larger school, local, national and world community. For the secure and independent individual, sensitivity to and respect for the beliefs, goals and feelings of others follow easily. Methods of achieving community that are unique to Friends include a continual striving for consensus (as contrasted to simple majority rule), equality of all people and the resolution of conflict by non-violent means. Spiritual Development: The Quaker tradition of silent worship is
an integral feature of daily life at the Mary McDowell Center for
Learning. Sitting calmly in "expectant silence," the participant
may gain inner strength and creative insight from internal reflection
and the presence of others. The simplicity of the Quaker Meeting
for Worship, "Silent Meeting" as it is called in the school,
allows all individuals, regardless of religious practice or beliefs,
a time for contemplation and self-reflection in our stimulating
school day. |
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