In
celebration of this milestone in the school’s history, the public is invited to
a Founder’s Day Celebration on August 28, 8:00a.m. – 11:30a.m., at Odyssey
School. Educators,
students, and parents (former and current) are especially encouraged to
attend. Founder’s
Day recognizes Odyssey School’s founding families and the growth and support
required to continue. The morning will include music by Kat
Williams, Asheville songstress, and River Guerguerian, Odyssey School Music
Director and world-renowned percussionist. Students will participate
in a flower weaving which will symbolize the strength of the school’s
commitment to fostering creative and critical thinkers.
In February
of 2007, several families
approached Dr. John Johnson, now retired, with a desire to create a
new school committed to nurture a life-long love of learning and
self-knowledge. “We
have to teach today’s children how to learn,” said Dr. Johnson. “We have to
lead by example, invest in the self-knowing techniques of inquiry, honesty and
authenticity. We have to present our students with an inclusive, integrative,
and creative world.”
Families also wished for
multi-age, continuous progress
classrooms that provided emotional safety and citizenship. The result,
Odyssey School, assimilated the integral philosophy of author Ken Wilber and
fostered a creative community inspired by solution-oriented thinking,
reflection, and development of the greater human experience. “It’s very
rewarding to know that we are on the cusp of graduating a class of students
that have been with us since the very beginning,” says Megan Martell, Executive
Director of Programs.
In 2014,
Odyssey School underwent a transformation. The Board of Trustees began a search
for new leadership and created a three year strategic plan to relocate the
school. After a community-wide effort, the school selected its current
co-directors. This change from one leader to two reflected a growing
commitment to collaboration and deepened the school’s dedication to an
integral model.
“Odyssey is
simply magical,” says senior high school student Rhianna Reckmeyer. “I
feel that I can truly and confidently be myself.”
Odyssey
School is located at 90
Zillicoa Street, Asheville. Questions about the school or the
Founder’s Day Celebration are welcome and may be addressed to learn@odysseycommunity.org or 828.259.3653.
Odyssey’s
Vision: Through the study of the Integral Model and the application of
Design-Thinking, our students, families, and faculty communicate with brave
kindness, lead with an authentic sense of self, and make positive change through
connecting consciousness and creativity.
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