Saint Herman of Alaska Christian School

"Thoughts on Education" is a project that we hope will help more people hear about the Orthodox philosophy and practice of education in bite-sized, easy to read pieces. We hope that it will be of some benefit for parents or professionals who are always on the run, and perhaps unable to sit down and read for an extended period of time. We will post regular "thoughts" here on this page, mainly taken from our recently completed (and soon to be published) curriculum, as well as various pieces and thoughts that have been developed and practiced at our school throughout the years. We intend to launch an e-Thoughts circulation, that will also allow you to receive short e-mails about this very topic. Stay tuned for more details, and enjoy the following contemplations on education.

With love in Christ, Fr. Patrick Tishel, Headmaster, St. Herman's School

Story Telling
The telling of stories and the re-telling of stories is foundational to our lives.
The Unity of Education
“The Light of Christ Illumines All!” Above the doorway of the pre-revoluationary Moscow Theological Academy was this sign.
"It's Easier to Train a Wild Poney than a Dead Horse"
Children are full of life. I am sure you have noticed …
A Day at School
Each day at Saint Herman of Alaska Christian School begins and ends with prayer.
Being on the Same Page...
Parents have a special power. When they are united, “on the same page”, their effect on their family is stunning.
Nipping it in the bud!
Because of specific sins in us - internal laziness, or fear, inattention, uncertainty, and avoidance - we end up neglecting the upbringing of our children.
Living in a Natural World
One of our teachers doesn’t have to study books in order to find out how to make cheese.
Respect for God and Nature
When we went around Jamaica Pond with the school children, parents, teachers and a friend “naturalist” one of the young boys saw a rather large ant and was about to squash it.
Educating through the Family
Our school staff went to give a presentation about education to a Russian Orthodox Parish.
Keeping alive the Mother Tongue, the Culture and attention to the soul
At our Home School Association meeting we discussed the challenge many of our families face in trying to keep alive their Mother Tongue and passing it on to their children.
The three pillars of education: The Church, Home and School
Years ago I lived in a house that was undergoing renovations. The brunt of the work focused on creating more space, and by the end of the project the workers had enlarged many of the rooms, giving the house a seemingly new and improved flare.