Don't Rush the Journey. The Transformation Is Worth the Wait
by Elizabeth Dean
My oldest daughter's TVS journey started when she was seven years old. She showed up to the TVS campus shy and reserved. She didn't speak in community meetings, procrastinated earning any badge book badges for fear of sharing in circle, and spoke only three words "yes, no, maybe" during her first journey review. The guides at the time told us: it's a journey, just be patient.
Spoiler alert: they were right. It was a journey and we needed the patience to see it through. She spent 4 years in Discovery Studio, and in that last year, we witnessed transformational change. She was voted on by her peers to be a leader, she not only shared in community meetings, she led the meetings, and in her journey review she shared her badges earned, asked for help where she needed it, and confidently mapped out a plan for her future. She was a far cry from her second grade self, and it was my husband and I that were left with a one word response: wow.
After just seven days of school this year, I've seen hints of yet another transformation. She walks through the hallways differently than she did as a seventh grader. Her guides have noticed she's more confident and self-assured, and just this week she led a whole school Village Circle, leading and organizing a group of close to 100 people - learners and guides included. This wouldn't have been possible last year - not that she wasn't capable - but she wasn't ready like she is now, this year, filling the role of the oldest learner in her studio and the school.
As a founding family (who didn't officially join until year 3 because of life logistics, not desire), I've had a front row seat to the "journey" of many learners at The Village School for the past nine years. The old line, “Life is a journey, not a destination” has been worn into a platitude often seen in important fonts over inspirational mountain ranges. We confess, we've unapologetically shared and re-shared this cliche with our community session after session and year after year. As I witness the arc this year through my own child and her peers, it takes my breath away. When I think about the cliche quote through their lens, it means everything.
These first few weeks of school I’ve been thinking a lot about both our youngest and oldest learners. Between them this year holds a whole run of firsts and lasts…first and last first day of school at TVS, first and last journey review, first and last character rock…and the list goes on. Many of our eighth graders have been at The Village School for the majority of their school experience, and they've shaped our community just as much - if not more - than we've shaped them. When I pause to consider our youngest learners and imagine the transformation waiting for them, I'm in awe of…dare I say it: their journeys.
Sometimes people think that in order to truly be ready for what's next in their child's journey, they must cut their TVS experience short in the name of "preparedness". We often underestimate young people's ability to adapt. We put our adult perspective on display, thinking they need a year to learn how to navigate a new (more traditional) experience before high school, where school really starts to "count". In reality, leaving The Village School before the journey is complete stifles rather than equips. The final year in each studio's journey map is where true transformation happens.
The first graders in Spark, the fifth graders in Discovery, and the eighth graders in Adventure have the chance to exercise leadership in a way that's true to their own personalities that is only possible in this final year of the journey. Despite the presence of strong personalities who might be more naturally inclined to fill leadership positions, the transformation that happens within a young person in the powerful position of "oldest learner in the studio" is unmatched.
Spark studio’s youngest learners start out with the longest journey ahead of them, many not even knowing what the word leadership means, let alone seeing themselves as a leader. Just this week I witnessed a first grader in Spark eagerly lead his studio in community meeting, explaining the difference between problems and solutions and patiently calling on his peers to contribute. Another first grader put herself in charge of teaching new learners the correct way to clean up after outdoor play and organize the shed. These might sound like small events, but they are telling.
Another learner who is rounding out his third year in Adventure was instrumental in creating the studio contract. I have a distinct memory of seeing him a few years ago, splayed out on the hallway floor with his badge plan and computer lost, confused, and overwhelmed. There's no remnant of that same learner this year.
These are true transformational stories that would not be possible in an experience cut short, rushed, or forced by impatience. And it's only the second week of school. There's a whole year of transformation still to emerge - we’re just getting started. The journey is the most important - and also the most difficult - part. But, wow, is it worth it.
