Susie Fahrer, Author at Rainbow Community School

The Power of Learning Outdoors

by Susie Fahrer | Oct 27, 2025 | Director's Blog

Rethinking What Makes a Learning Environment Powerful

When you think about designing a space for truly powerful education and human development, what comes to mind? Often, we consider factors such as how we engage with technology, the curriculum we offer, or the level of professional development our teachers have.

And yes—these factors are critical in supporting a successful learning environment. But there’s something incredibly simple and accessible to all of us that research shows provides deep nourishment for academic success: spending time outside.

Learning Beyond Four Walls

For students at Rainbow Community School, outdoor learning is woven into the fabric of our curriculum. From the earliest childhood settings, students spend time outdoors—studying seasonal changes, going on nature walks, engaging with the canopy around them, and exploring the rhythms of weather and landscape.

These experiences help children attune not only to the natural world, but to their own growth and development.

Nature as Curriculum

Being outside inherently creates a hands-on learning experience. As students matriculate through the grades, the level of complexity in their outdoor learning increases.

They move from observation to integration—cultivating a farm-to-table experience, growing their own food, engaging in composting systems, studying local ecosystems, and exploring the rivers, mountains, and geology of our region.

Outdoor learning extends beyond our campus, connecting students to real-world field studies that deepen their sense of place and purpose.

The Research Behind Outdoor Learning

Educational research continues to affirm what we see daily at Rainbow: that time outdoors amplifies a child’s capacity for curiosity, awe, and wonder. It nurtures critical thinking and builds the dispositions of a healthy learner.

Beyond the cognitive benefits, there’s also a spiritual connection that emerges when students spend time outside—a quiet sense of belonging to something greater, a reconnection with rhythm and balance.

A Sensory Awakening

You’ve probably experienced this yourself—the subtle shift that happens when you step outdoors. Maybe it’s the first breath of fresh air as you leave your home, the breeze across your skin, or the vivid colors of the changing seasons.

Each moment outdoors invites us to slow down and become present. The songs of birds, the rustle of leaves, the textures of the landscape—all awaken our senses and remind us of the living world we are part of.

Bringing Outdoor Learning Home

In this month’s Kaleidoscope, we’ve included resources to help families bring the benefits of outdoor learning into their own homes. These are simple, accessible ways to integrate time outdoors into daily life—no matter your setting or schedule.

Even five minutes outside can transform your mood, reset your attention, and bring a brighter sense of possibility to your day.

An Invitation to Step Outside

I hope that this gives you just a moment to remember that even five minutes outside can change your whole disposition, and can bring a brighter sensation and opportunity to the learning that’s here before you.

May you have a wonderful time exploring the natural world.

Designing Spaces for Learning

by Susie Fahrer | Oct 20, 2025 | Director's Blog

What do you think of when you hear “school” or “schooling”?

Hi, my name is Susie Fahrer and I am the executive director of Rainbow Community School and Omega Middle School. Have you ever stopped to wonder what comes to mind when you hear the words “school” or schooling? For many of us , we were transported to a large building, often with a wide hallway, usually having classrooms on either side, particularly designed with tables and chairs, oriented towards the front of the room, where perhaps the teacher is standing delivering their content for the day.

How do you design a space for learning?

And more often than not, nowadays we’re probably picturing a classroom filled with computers or iPads where students are behind a screen engaging technology as a primary part of their schooling experience. While much of this is creating a foundation, perhaps if we would change the scope, if we considered reframing the question. What would you think about if we actually asked, how do you design a space for learning?

The Elements of Space

Well, for many of us, we start to imagine the beauty of a space. Natural light and beautiful materials. Creating a space that feels welcoming. Or maybe we think about how we engage a diversity of learners through design for flexible seating and hands-on materials. And maybe still, we think about that technology, but we recognize that it’s integrated with intention and balance.

Designing for Learning at Rainbow

Also offering space for discourse and project-based learning and meaningful curriculum. And finally, for some of us, the walls might even dissolve, and we consider stepping out into the natural world, engaging space for play and physicality. Understanding that brain science allows us to know that optimal learning is spent both indoors and out. So here at rainbow, we have the ability to design for learning.

A Learning Village

For many people, when they first step on our campus, they describe it as a village. And this couldn’t be a better imagery to capture the vibrancy with which we design our classroom and our campus spaces, to meet the needs of preschoolers through middle schoolers in an engaging and joyful learning experience. If you are new to rainbow, I invite you to look at our website or perhaps book a tour and come see what we’ve built here and designs for learning and an optimal experience for children where they are nurtured and supported through a learning journey from the earliest childhood experience into adolescence.

The Door is Always Open

For those of you who are already part of our community, I invite you to come and sit with me and continue the conversation. My door is always open.

Kaleidoscope – November 2024

by Susie Fahrer | Nov 4, 2024 | Blogs, CEO's Kaleidoscope, Director's Blog

Dear Rainbow Friends and Families,

If you like, you can listen to this recording.

It has been over a year since I have published a Kaleidoscope. This pause has been a mindful one, offering time for reflection on Rainbow’s communication practices, with the goal of designing an intentionally integrated set of publications that support an informed and engaged community.

The return of this publication marks a few adjustments. To begin, Kaleidoscope will be published seasonally, in support of a cadence of strategic communication that is digestible and meaningful. Also, you will always find a recording of the document for readers that would prefer to listen to the contents over taking the time to read it on a screen. May these adaptations offer you all a meaningful and worthy read, supporting your participation and understanding in the full Rainbow journey.

Following Nature’s Wisdom: What Can Be Learned In The Wake of Helene?

As we grapple with the destruction and loss of the past several weeks, I hope you are finding ways to honor, process, and attend to your wounds and needs. The work of facing trauma, while personal, is something that can be done in partnership. Please be reminded that Will Ray, our Director of Counseling, is available to support students and families in the coming weeks, and to help you engage in additional therapy services. He can be reached via email will.ray@rainbowlearning.org or by phone (828-424-4733).

In nature, power and force are often equally integrated with beauty and strength. This past month I have been humbled by the collective humanity growing all around us. Fellowship, care, service, love, awareness, engagement, understanding, compassion…the list goes on. These, I hope, are the experiences and memories that rise above the flood line. May they buoy our grief and guide our resilience.

In support of parents and caregivers

One of the most natural instincts we have is to protect our children. They are born into this world depending on us for the most basic of needs, and as they grow it can be difficult to know how and when to provide autonomy and engagement with challenge, failure, fear, and sorrow. The reality is, there is no single way to parent a child through the complexities of this world. As humans, we benefit from a personalized approach that accounts for our strengths and vulnerabilities.

That being said, many families come to Rainbow with some level of shared values around developmentally appropriate access to media consumption, technology, social/emotional discourse, and so on. However, when our world increasingly surrounds our children with unavoidable complex and dynamic realities (Covid, Climate Change, Social Media, etc) it is our obligation to pause and consider how best to move forward as a community. In these moments, allowing our children to guide the inquiry often inspires the most profound and appropriate learning.

In the coming weeks as we digest the impacts of the storm, the outcomes of the election, and the process of rebuilding in our community, we can be mindful of keeping Rainbow a student-centered environment. Recalling that each child will be looking to the adults around them for cues to feel safe, grounded, and ready to learn. As adults, we are not immune to the emotional toll of our current circumstances. Even so, we have the ability to create a collectively conscious atmosphere at Rainbow that supports our children.

A conscious return to our school programming

The first few weeks back have felt wonderful. The teachers created a compassionate re-entry process supporting the children emotionally, providing familiar routines, and engaging their love of learning.

We also have a few upcoming events that offer opportunities for community fellowship, spiritual connection, and a pathway for matriculation.

Movie Night- We are publishing this event internally, but Rainbow families are welcome to bring extended family and friends. For folks who choose to attend the potluck before the movie, please label any food you anticipate sharing. Everyone should bring their own lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks.

Day of the Dead- We are grateful to have our Hispanic families leading us in the preparation of the Ofrenda and planning of this sacred holiday. Anyone that is able to offer donations for the altar or sign up to be a firekeeper on the day of the event, can find details in this LINK.

Tamales will be served free of charge, sponsored in collaboration between Rainbow and a parent donor. They will be shared on a first come first served basis while the altar is being created on Wednesday.

Omega Open House- Omega Middle School will be hosting our fourth and fifth grade students and families for a visit on November 8, 2024. It will be an opportunity for our current students to get a personalized understanding of how the 7 Domains model shifts in adolescence to facilitate scholarship, encourage healthy autonomy, and inspire long-term thriving. More details will be shared directly with Fourth and Fifth grade families.

Winter Performance- Our annual winter performance will be held on December 19th at 3:00pm. This performance will feature preschool-5th grade classrooms and Omega elective performances. Since it is a school-wide event, we will not host afterschool that day, and Omega will dismiss prior to the event. More details will be provided soon. This is a beautiful celebration of music and art that will be a welcome culmination of 2024.

Yours In Partnership and Appreciation for the Journey,

Susie Fahrer
Executive Director

Kaleidoscope – May 2023

by Susie Fahrer | May 8, 2023 | Blogs, CEO's Kaleidoscope, Director's Blog, Home Page News, News

The Hero’s Journey

As IMAGINE, our Spring school-wide performance quickly approaches, I find myself frequently returning to the arch of the hero’s journey in several aspects of our school programming. May Day invites us to cross a threshold from the ordinary to the extraordinary world where costumes, dancing, and berries and cream fill our morning with joyful fellowship. This ritual also marks a movement into the final weeks of school filled with trials of character and adventure. End of year trips, performances, learning celebrations and more. Finally, we arrive at graduation. The ultimate ritual of accomplishment and reflection. Yes, this is a full and emotional time for our young heroes. Let us guide them with wisdom, heart, and love. May the magic of the journey surround us all.

End of Year Trips: A Rite of Passage

A long standing ritual at Rainbow is the End of Year Trip. In our upper elementary and middle school programming, students experience the power of traveling together and immersing themselves in a different learning environment. Typically, this involves an expeditionary learning experience set in the natural world. From canoeing to dichotomous keys, barrier islands to wildlife preserves, the students are challenged to take positive risks, embrace environmental action, and build lasting relationships and memories with their Rainbow community.

Jubilee: Allies Along the Way

No quest is possible without allyship. I am pleased to announce a new partnership for Rainbow with Jubilee, a local nondenominational church in the Asheville community. For the past several months, I have been working with the Board and congregation of Jubilee to consider rental of Rainbow for their Sunday service and other evening gatherings. We hosted a trial event back in February, gathered feedback from Rainbow staff, and have found ourselves in a place of deep alignment. Their mission, “As a compassionate and inclusive spiritual community, Jubilee! celebrates the divine mystery in all of creation and calls each of us toward a heart-centered, compassionate, equitable and sustainable way of living and being,” echoes the principles and values of Rainbow Community School. The sale of Jubilee’s building downtown finalized our partnership. We are humbled and happy to be their “home” as they embark on their own challenges and transformations ahead. Their first service on Rainbow’s campus will be held May 21, 2023. Their website is filled with detailed information about their values, history, and more for folks who are interested. Jubilee and Rainbow are hoping to host an open event for both of our communities in June to celebrate this partnership. More details will be shared as available.

An Evening of Visioning: Every Quest Needs A Map

In my last Kaleidoscope, I shared that the Board has created a Futures Planning Committee to guide our facilities planning. On April 18th, a cross section of the community gathered with Altura Architects, to engage in a hands-on mapping activity for our entire campus. It was inspiring to see and hear all of the ideas and themes emerging for campus design. The Futures Planning Committee will meet next week with Altura to learn more about how the ideas from our community meeting will inform a more comprehensive and unified vision for our future.

IMAGINE: “Lets See What Happens”

On May 19th we will gather for a school-wide performance. We will be guided on a hero’s journey that incorporates vignette performances from each grade level. To help you prepare, here are some important general details. Classroom teachers will share more specifics, as needed.

Morning Performance:

Begins at 10:30am. Doors to the auditorium will open at 10:15am. Please be prepared to wait in your car or outside until the doors open. This gives us time to be sure we are fully set before audience members arrive.

This is the only performance including preschool and Kindergarten students. Families of this age should plan to attend in the morning only unless you have an older child.

Evening Performance:

Begins at 6:00pm. Doors to the auditorium will open at 5:45pm. Please be prepared to wait in your car or outside until the doors open. This gives us time to be sure we are fully set before audience members arrive.

This performance is for 1st-8th grade families. Students in first through fifth grade will be performing along with Omega students that elected to be part of the program..

This event is special and we are excited to share it with the community. Our auditorium seating is tight when we all gather. Please consider priority for your immediate family and limit additional guest invites. The morning performance will be recorded and shared with families.

Student Led Conferences: Everyone has a story to tell

On June 5th, Kindergarten through 8th grade families will be invited to participate in a student-led conference. Their child will guide them through the story of their school year by reflecting on their growth in the domains, sharing highlights from their experiences and artifacts from their journey. These conferences provide an intimate space for child and family to inquire, celebrate, and affirm the growth and development of a year of learning. As a teacher, I was always grateful to have this time for each child to speak their story and to be witnessed and honored in the process.

Graduation: A Ritual of Transition

Preschool will celebrate their end-of-year ceremony on June 5th at 9:30am, a sweet celebration that marks the natural progression for our littlest learners. On June 6th, Kindergarten through 8th grade families are invited to a graduation ceremony that will feature speeches from each graduating 8th grade student and an opportunity for each child to speak a memory from their school year. It is a powerful culmination of student voice, transformation, and transition. Several members of the graduating class have been at Rainbow since early childhood. We plan to host this gathering on the Athletic field starting at 6:00pm.

Community: The Cast of Characters Is Far and Wide

From Grandfriend’s Day to Spring Fling and Parent Council to Board service, this time of year embodies an inherent spirit of gratitude. Rainbow couldn’t thrive without all of you giving your time, wisdom, energy and support to all aspects of our programming. My heart is consistently overwhelmed by the beauty of this community.

Administration welcomes your feedback to help us continue to grow, learn, and develop. Our annual Family Survey is an excellent way for your voice to contribute to our evolution. Your contributions are anonymous and are reviewed alongside staff and student anonymous surveys. We thank you for taking the time to share your perspectives.

Yours In Partnership and Appreciation for the Journey,

Susie Fahrer,
Executive Director

Kaleidoscope – March 2023

by Susie Fahrer | Mar 29, 2023 | Blogs, CEO's Kaleidoscope, Director's Blog, Home Page News, News

Blooming Seeds

Working with a school based schedule, I often find my rhythm is deeply entrenched with thresholds built into our school calendar. As Spring Break quickly approaches, I feel the potential of the upcoming season with so many seeds from the school year beginning to bloom. Science Fair and PIP (Personal Interest Project) talks are just the beginning of student learning and celebration on display. The final months of the year invite several opportunities to gather for fellowship and celebration of the learning journey we have taken together this year.

While our focus is wholeheartedly on finishing this school year with integrity and presence, this is also a time of visioning ahead. This month’s Kaleidoscope will share several ways we are visioning forward as an institution.

Visioning Staff Transitions and Changing Roles

For our staff, this is typically the time of year that finalizes changes in roles and sometimes creates opportunities for new professionals to join our community. Below are a few shifts that we are excited to share with you for the 23-24 school year.

First Grade Assistant Teacher: We are excited to celebrate Josie Hoban’s decision to explore a new professional path. She will be joining the team at Asheville Community Yoga to help develop and lead their Children’s Yoga Program. We are so grateful for all the love, care, and community Josie has helped build at Rainbow over the years, and we look forward to opportunities for partnership in the future. We will begin the search process for a new First Grade Assistant after Spring Break.

Third Grade Assistant Teacher: We have loved having Donna Paxon with us this past year. Her joyful presence, heartfelt leadership, and quiet wisdom have been a huge asset to the third grade classroom and our broader community. We wish Donna well as she explores new ways to grow as a professional beyond Rainbow. We will begin the search process for a new Third Grade Assistant after Spring Break.

Omega ⅞ Team: We have a few shifting roles in our Omega team. To begin, Richard is off to a grand adventure taking advantage of his dual citizenship and moving to Scotland. He has professed that if he could take Rainbow with him he would, and at the very least I am sure we will have some great pen pal opportunities in our future. Niki will be transitioning to a new role within the team. She will continue to teach mathematics and will be the primary coordinator for the diverse middle school programming that provides a natural counterpart to the academic coursework. This includes field trips, addiction and sex education, expeditionary learning, dances, community service and more. This is a role currently held by Lisa who will be reducing her time to serve exclusively in her capacity as a Spanish teacher. We will be hiring for Omega after Spring Break.

Facilities Team: Our long time Facilities Director, Max Mraz, has embarked on a new passion project with his family. They purchased some land and are building a wedding and event venue. This project has captured their heart and we can’t wait to watch it unfold. This has made room for Shaun Fain to advance to the role of Facilities Director and Eddie McCassim to take on a formal support role within our facilities team.

Hiring is a dynamic process at Rainbow. We use all types of outreach to attract high quality candidates that will help manifest the vision and mission of Rainbow. This process includes interviews with administrators, teachers, and demonstration experiences in the classroom. We will share updates about new hires as decisions are finalized in the coming weeks.

Visioning Resources for Federal Funding

As we look ahead to next year, we are also considering programmatic planning that needs our attention. Recently, families in K-6 received an outreach from Margaret Gerleve asking for some household income information. Please review this outreach and if you qualify, please return the forms by March 31, 2023. This is a wonderful way for our school to access funding that goes directly to student programming and teacher professional development.

Visioning for Living Our Mission

One of the things I deeply appreciate about our community is our ability to be flexible and compassionate. When Covid began we released some long standing traditions in support of fundamental wellness needs. We are now beginning the process of re-establishing these cultural norms.

Technology– Computers provided a life-line to our community as children accessed education and social opportunities while in isolation. That being said, we are now ready to recalibrate our relationship with technology as a community in hopes of supporting moderation, meaning, and purposeful engagement of screen time and social media. Our final class meetings in grades 3-8 will be fostering a non judgmental space for families to dialogue about systems of healthy and mindful consumption of media and technology.
Environmental Stewardship– Covid also had an impact on our use of reusable materials in the classroom and at community gatherings. We are hoping to revitalize our long standing tradition of using reusable materials such as water bottles, portable coffee mugs, plates and silverware any time we feast together. This often means Rainbow families travel with a “picnic pack” of plates and dishes to help reduce the need for single use materials. With all of the upcoming celebrations, we have several opportunities to practice this tradition.

Visioning for Safety

The recent news of another school shooting inherently creates ripples of grief, outrage, and disillusionment. Nothing can temper the sorrow we feel in witness to such tragedy. However, it often reminds us of how critical it is to continually communicate our approach to safety on campus. Faculty will be gathering this week to review safety protocols supporting shared responsibility for school and campus safety. We have installed a trial security system, and will grow that approach once we ensure it is worthy of replication to all buildings. All Rainbow staff complete a monthly ALICE drill training to help maintain proficiency with our emergency response systems and we complete regular age appropriate drills in the classroom. These topics can feel overwhelming to consider, and we recognize that there is power and security in preparation, shared knowledge, and consistency.

Visioning for a Thriving Campus: a message in partnership with the Board

It is with great enthusiasm that the Board of Directors and I announce that the Board has created a Futures Planning Committee to work on facilities and future planning. One of the primary roles of the Board of Directors is supporting the long term thriving of our institution. This is managed through the consistent and thoughtful application and review of policies governing the achievement of our ends and mission. One of the Board’s most visible contributions is through the acquisition and care of our facilities. In our recent history, this has included purchasing the Orchard House (Kindergarten), Omega Property, and our Allen Street rental property.

During the 2021-2022 school year the Board devoted time to evaluating our current campus. This evaluation surfaced the need to create a master facilities plan. After careful consideration, the Board has engaged Altura Architects to work in partnership with the Futures Planning Committee to design a strategic facilities document. Specific considerations include:

Documenting a coherent short and long term vision for our facilities needs.
Optimizing the green spaces and sacred elements of our campus with potential for remodeling and building new structures.
Exploring the feasibility of a “More Than A Gym” structure that could provide adequate space for large group physical activity, gathering, and school-wide events.
Considerations for traffic flow, parking, security and other safety needs that will enhance our current campus.

We will be inviting a cross section of the community to participate in an interactive visioning activity, facilitated by Altura. This step engages the wisdom of the collective, inspiring a final product in service to all of our stakeholders.

More details will be shared with the full community as we embark on this journey together. All questions can be directed to Susie or Kali DeWine, the Chair of the Rainbow Board of Directors.

May your Spring Break be filled with beauty, restoration, and connection.

Yours In Partnership and Gratitude,