Michael Sheppard - Founder, Director and Lead Educator

Most kids are hungry for an education that they can relate to. The fact is, most teachers do not teach in the way that kids learn. Experience has taught us what scientists are now confirming. For kids to learn effectively, they need to:

• Care about what they are learning and feel that it relates directly to their lives.
• Feel safe, valued, respected, and confident in themselves.
• Be able to “see” what they are learning through the proper use of hands-on materials.
• Move around physically.
• “Create” their own understanding of a subject rather than merely memorize words, numbers, and instructions.
• Be rested, hydrated, and free from the roller coaster ride of sugar and caffeine laden diets.

Children want to become more confident and effective people in the busy world that surrounds them. Give them the right teacher in the right setting and the sky is the limit.

What Guides Us: 

The Big Sky Learning Philosophy

To build personal and scholastic success, we bring our attention to the Emotional, Cognitive, and Social capacities of children.

Emotional

I am safe, accepted and appreciated.

I can be happy and even a bit silly as I learn.

I enjoy my own intelligence, ideas, and creativity.

 

Cognitive

I learn by experiencing new things in a hands on way.

I like to think about things and ask good questions.

I learn best when my lessons are connected to things that I care about.

 

Social

I trust those around me.

I learn when I cooperate with others on interesting challenges.

I can get the things and information I need by asking those around me.

I learn by apprenticing with those who know more than I do and by mentoring those who are not as far along as I am.