Cascade Canyon

In Support of Progressive Education

In my career in education, I have worked vigorously to help whittle down the impersonal aspects of large public schools in order to create smaller environments on campuses where students could feel comfortable being themselves, and where they could be certain to connect to adults and peers. The theory I read over and over again in my research on school design suggested that the best learning happens when students feel known by one or more adults in a school, and when students have some degree of choice about their learning. In my own teaching, I saw immediate benefits within small learning environments: students' confidence and creative expression flourished, teachers, parents and students grew to form a supportive community, and students thrived intellectually. These essential attributes - student confidence, creativity, a close learning community, and evidence of learning - are visible on a daily basis at Cascade Canyon School. The experienced staff at Cascade Canyon is particularly skilled in connecting with and teaching each child, and in cultivating a learning environment founded on respect, trust and kindness. The small size of our school lends another distinct advantage, as students, staff and families naturally come to know one another well over the nine years from K to 8. We are excited to be a Green school, and look forward to continuing to build our eco-literacy program and find opportunities to work with our community on sustainability. A few years ago, when I was attending the California Association of Teachers of English fall conference at Asilomar, I sat on a bench overlooking the expanse of the ocean, and faced the task of generating an essay on the roots of my philosophy on education. I remember laughing when I put the pieces together; it should have come as no surprise that I gravitated toward small, "alternative" models of education. Consider my own colorful background as a student: I was bussed to a magnet elementary school in Champaign, Illinois with an incredible design lab, music program, and project-oriented, applied learning focus; I continued on to a laboratory high school on the University of Illinois campus with thirty-five students in each grade, where innovative learning and the student-teacher relationship were emphasized; and from there I enrolled in Berkeley's Humanities program, where students designed their own majors and worked closely with a faculty mentor to write a thesis in their last year. I have always thrived in small schools and small programs where I have been allowed to put my own imprint on my education. Why wouldn't I seek out the same opportunity professionally? Whether you are a returning family, a family interested in exploring Cascade Canyon for the first time for your child, or a community member who is simply interested in learning more about our school, I urge you to come visit our campus on one of our Parent Tours or Open Houses scheduled throughout the year. Cascade Canyon is a vibrant learning community, where students and staff continually celebrate learning. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to come on board as the Director of Cascade Canyon this year, and to immerse myself in a school that is thoughtfully designed to be a place where students truly love to learn. We welcome inquiries about our school or program. Please don't hesitate to give us a call. Sincerely, Rebecca Hausammann Director, Cascade Canyon