I had an unexpected opportunity to learn something new last
Monday. I watched over 50 children sit
in rapt attention as Quin Denning, Principal of Providence Academy, explained
the origins of the United States national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner. Mr. Denning explained in-depth why Francis
Scott Key was on the British warship when Fort McHenry was attacked. How during the onslaught the flag became
tattered but never faltered. And what
Key and other patriots found when they entered the fort. It was a moving moment for me on two
fronts: although I thought I was
well-versed on America’s history, Mr. Denning taught me something I didn’t know
. . .
. . . and I saw joy on the faces of children learning.
Providence Academy is an all-inclusive, Kindergarten through
12th Grade, private school that does not accept a single dollar of
taxpayer money. This allows them to open
each school day with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a devotional thought. When the children break they are smiling and
excited for class. They are open to
learn.
I overheard one of the parents comment, “[He’s] never been
excited to go to school. Now he wakes up
saying, ‘Yea! I get to go to school.’”
It didn't take long for me to figure out why kids feel this
way about Providence Academy. From Quin
Denning, to the teachers, and the administrative staff, they are all excited to
be there. Instead of memorization the
children are taught to learn. They are
allowed to fail – and learn from the experience.
Instead of a movie and a spiked thermos of coffee (you know I'm talking about you, Mrs. Carter), the
teachers at Providence Academy are truly preparing kids to be successful beyond
school walls. Local business people are
invited in to lecture and provide real-world insights into what the children
are learning.
So, as I stood with kids from five to seventeen, hand over
my heart, singing The Star-Spangled Banner, I thought, “There is hope for this
generation.”
To find more information about Providence Academy, or to
make a donation, go to http://Providence.academy.
If you have
questions regarding your business' marketing strategy, feel free to contact me
at darren@darrensomsen.com.
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