Director's Blog

Susie Fahrer publishes the Kaleidoscope periodically throughout the year that illustrates and summarizes what has been happening at our vibrant school. Read to find out more.

 

Governance is the secret to success

Governance is the secret to success

Link to New York Times: At Zappos, Pushing Shoes and a Vision People often marvel at how well Rainbow runs.  We have an incredible philosophy, curriculum, teachers, community, etc; but all of that doesn't produce results without great systems.  Five years ago, Rainbow...

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Who is the killer?

Who is the killer?

"The perpetrator has been caught, but the killer is still at large."  We can always count on Reverend Barber, head of North Carolina's NAACP and leader of the Moral Monday Movement, to speak the Truth.  The killer is racism in all it's forms.  Nowadays, when...

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This is your brain on…

This is your brain on…

Meditation. I think there is new research at least weekly these days about the benefits of meditation and mindfulness.  Here is the latest from the Washington Post.  It's interesting how our scientific society needs to "prove" something that people of ancient cultures...

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Imagine Brilliance

Imagine Brilliance

“When I gave my first concert in Chartes, I felt that the cathedral almost kicked me out.  ‘Get out with you!’ she said.  For I was young and I tried to perform as I always did: by just playing my violin.  But then I realized that in Chartes you actually cannot play...

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Building an anti-racist classroom

Building an anti-racist classroom

Empowering All. Validating a Pedagogy of Difference. The recent slayings in New York, Ferguson, and other places (recent, past, and ongoing) have weighed heavily on the hearts of educators who are working hard to create a more just world.  However, educators are all...

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The results of meditation in schools

The results of meditation in schools

Children have been meditating at Rainbow since 1977, but now some public schools are realizing the benefits of meditation.  Check out this wonderful story about how suspensions and violence are radically down at this urban school in San Francisco, and academic results...

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Do you want to be an original?

Do you want to be an original?

"They are so worried about being successful, they want to be a carbon copy instead of an original."  --From last night's lecture by Dr. Cornel West, given to a standing room only crowd at Kimmel Arena at UNCA.  Of course, Dr West was referring to young people being...

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Spelling Really Does Count…

Spelling Really Does Count…

...because it all counts. To my surprise, this article ended up being about something much larger than spelling. It reminded me that holistic education, such as we practice at Rainbow, makes sense for reasons we may not have thought about. Yes, spelling does count....

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The secret to innovation….

The secret to innovation….

...is taking risks.   "There is no risk-taking without a culture of trust and respect." ~Tony Wagner. Parents at Rainbow repeatedly cite how the social environment at Rainbow is one of acceptance. It takes courage to take risks, so being surrounding by people who...

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Give our children a fighting chance

Give our children a fighting chance

I often ask, "If we are preparing our children for the future, what does the future look like?"  Hopefully, the world will be much different in terms of our systems and energy use.  When our children are our age, their homes will be heated and cooled with different...

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My Job Is To Be a Futurist

My Job Is To Be a Futurist

As a school director, my job is to be a futurist. I have to predict what the future is bringing, and craft the curriculum with that in mind. The rate of change in our society is so fast, this requires constant research, innovation, and educated guessing. It also...

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