Contact

Gopal@kfa.org

Ph 805-462-7360

Session One

Session Two

About the Program

Program Fees

• Non-refundable registration fee $50
• Residential program fee $900 (includes tuition, room & board)
• Commuter program fee $500 (includes tuition, lunch & optional dinner)

UCSB Ext. Fees

• 4 units per course through USCB Extension.
• Approved course numbers are ED X 321.89 and ED X 321.90.
• Fee is $115 per course payable to UCSB Extension

For More Information

www.teaching-academy.org

Facilitators

The program will be facilitated by Gopal Krishnamurthy (coordinator) and Karen Hesli (co-coordinator).

Gopal Krishnamurthy has been a teacher for 17 years. He has taught in India, the UK and the USA. He has taught a variety of subjects including physics, mathematics, geography, environmental studies, philosophy, drama and Indian classical music, at High School, Middle School and College levels. Gopal has spent most of his life since the age of 4, as a student and teacher at the Krishnamurti schools. He is currently a PhD student in Education at the University of California Santa Barbara, his research interests include teacher development, classroom observation and J.Krishnamurti's educational philosophy.

Karen Hesli has worked in education for 38 years. After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1970, she taught middle school and conducted human relations training for teachers during the desegregation of Minneapolis Public Schools throughout the 1970's. Inspired by the profound implications of J. Krishnamurti's writings and talks on the nature of mind and the art of learning, she visited the K schools in India and England, and moved to Ojai in 1980. Since then she has held various teaching and administrative positions at the Oak Grove School and is currently semi-retired while writing a book for teachers, a novel about Matilija Dam and a poem almost every day.

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"The problem is not what kind of education the child should have, but rather, that the educator needs education."

                               -- J. Krishnamurti

TEACHING ACADEMY - summer 2009

Co-sponsored by the Geritz Graduate School of Education at UCSB

and by Oak Grove School in Ojai, CA

Together with the University of California Santa Barbara, Oak Grove School is co-sponsoring a two-week summer Teaching Academy for educators, offering 8 units of professional credit through the UCSB Extension Program

The 4th Annual Summer Teaching Academy sponsored by Oak Grove School and UCSB's Gevirtz Graduate School of Education will offer a two week education program in Ojai, California. The program consists of two distinct yet complementary week-long sessions and participants may choose to join one or both sessions. The program will provide grounding for both new educators and renewal for veterans in the educational field.

Each session provides a course with opportunities for educators to review and reflect upon their teaching or administrative practices and to envision new and coherent alternatives. The Academy's pedagogy is aimed at developing an inquiry based, self-generative, constructivist ethos, in a contemplative setting of mutual respect, self understanding and shared learning.

The program is open to both local and non-local participants, with a boarding capacity if desired. Accommodations are at the newly renovated Oak Grove Retreat.

Read on, or click HERE.

Or contact gopal@kfa.org,  ph 805-462-7360

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Session 1: July 26th to August 1st

Theme: Re-Envisioning Education

This session will explore and grapple with the following questions: What are the aims of education and schooling? What does it mean to be well-educated? What is the nature of attention, learning, goodness and intelligence? What does it mean to work together as teachers, students, parents and administrators? What is the culture of education? What are the implications of technology and economics on the direction and future of education? What are the challenges of living in the modern world and how can education prepare students to meet them? Participants' questions and emergent questions will also be explored.

4 Units of Professional Credit through the UCSB Extension Program

Session 1 Course Description | Apply Now

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Session 2: August 2nd to August 8th

Theme: The Art, Science & Craft of Teaching and Learning
This session will explore and grapple with the following questions: What is teaching? What is learning? What is the relationship between the teacher, the student and the subject matter? What is the role of the teacher? What are the daily concerns of teachers and how can we address them? What is the culture of a classroom? What works and does not work for individual teachers in their everyday classroom practices and activities? What is intelligent and compassionate communication? Participants' questions and emergent questions will also be explored.

4 Units of Professional Credit through the UCSB Extension Program

Session 2 Course Description | Apply Now

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About the Program

We will primarily use J. Krishnamurti's insights on education as the foundation for our considerations.

In an atmosphere of reflection and a setting of natural beauty, participants will engage in daily activities such as:

• Inquiry and dialogues
• The art of observation
• Developing facilitation skills    
• Classroom observations (viewing film clips)
• Designing learning environments (a school in a box)    
• Study and research
• Educational narratives or time-lines
• Role play and theater    
• Silence and quiet time
• Developing communication skills and emotional literacy    
• Journal writing
• Developing a learning/teaching portfolio
• Recreational activities including nature walks, folk dance, music, theater and film viewing will also be available.

Texts
Krishnamurti, J. (1953). Education and the Significance of Life. San Francisco, CA: Harper.
Krishnamurti, J. The Whole Movement of Life is Learning (Letters to the Schools), Brockwood, UK: Krishnamurti Foundation Trust.
All texts and photocopied material will be provided.

Participants will have access to an extensive collection of books and audio-visual materials. There will also be free computer and internet access. Participants are encouraged to bring their own personal computers.

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