By Cheryl Ward
Head of School
Calvary Schools of Holland
This week, I watched a class of high school juniors and seniors sling red portable chairs over their shoulders and head outside to read Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. With 40 acres to choose from, they settled in a circle under the shade of a honey locust tree to read and discuss what it means to lead. I think the topic was on being proactive.
At the same time, I received a text from Mrs. Bos, our leader at Plasman campus. It was a picture of a rather small owl, perhaps a juvenile, which students found in the wisteria at recess. It had been taking shelter in a messy tangle of vines deliberately allowed to grow naturally.
So I began reflecting that in both of these contexts, we have students forming relationships with learning and nature. In the case of the former, it is normal at Calvary to enjoy doing actual work outside. In the case of the latter, the young children who discovered a living creature already knew that it should be treated quietly and gently.
At the start of this new school year, before we settle into well-worn paths of routine, and while everything still feels fresh and new, I’m finding myself thinking again about why we are all here.
For my part, I’m asking, again, what is so compelling about the type of education that we offer?
For you, what is it that brought you here — and keeps you here?
I hear many reasons from new families joining our Calvary community: Charlotte Mason and Ambleside, the whole child, actual books to read, classical curriculum, authentically Christian, quiet spaces, etc.
And one very descriptive answer from a new family stands out:
“Calvary Schools feels like a harbor in the storm in a day and age that entertains, hustles, and neglects the person a child is becoming.”
If Calvary Schools is a safe harbor in the storm, what is it about our school that led us all to feel safe here?
One reason is the way we walk out our purpose. We engage in actual discipleship, which is not just a Bible class, or the singing of hymns, or reading the Bible, or attending chapel. Discipleship is done around those important Christian habits.
Discipleship happens when mature people spend time living their lives with integrity in close relationship with young people whose character is still forming. Discipleship cannot be distilled efficiently or quickly; discipleship can only be effective through large amounts of quality time around worthy work.
The leadership class itself is not the discipleship; discipleship primarily occurs around their relational interactions:
When a teacher displays proactive leadership by noticing that students need a change of pace and knows how to execute that well.
When a teacher finds a living creature nestled in vines and simply does what is appropriate for one of God’s creatures.
When a student has puffy eyes in the morning and an adult demonstrates care by asking if they are okay.
When a leader proactively asks to pray with a community member, right then and there, about something that is troubling them.
When a teacher addresses unkind behavior, not just because of the damage to the person receiving unkindness, but for the sake of the student who is practicing unkindness.
This is why school time is so important. It’s where discipleship happens.
I take delight in the knowledge that Calvary is a safe harbor. It motivates me to stay the course which led us here — to keep our compass steady.
To stay on the path of educational practices that are postured toward hard work and growth, while cultivating an atmosphere that values relationship as well as discipline.
In this new year, be encouraged that we’ll be continuing with classes that are conducted under honey locust trees and nature walks where we discover owls taking shelter amongst the wisteria.
Be encouraged and take comfort in knowing that our compass is steady and sure.
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.’” – Jeremiah 6:16a
Cheryl Ward is the Head of School & Executive Director at Calvary Schools of Holland. She has served the Calvary community since 2015, stepping into her current role in 2021. Cheryl’s passion is transforming educational settings through the underlying philosophy, relationships, structures, and processes that support them. She has a bachelor’s degree in education and a second degree in Biblical studies, as well as a master’s of education degree. She has been an advocate for Charlotte Mason education, and an Ambleside affiliate, since 2009.