Episcopal Identity and the Community of Inquiry Model

August 18, 2011, 12:15 p.m. in the Theater
Julian Bull, Norman Hull, and Ryan Newman, presenters

In the spring of 2011, the CAIS accrediting team recommended in its report that that Campbell Hall “facilitate cross-divisional conversations regarding the Campbell Hall meaning of ‘Community of Inquiry,’ as it relates to the curricular timelines, various constituencies, developmental levels and pedagogical aims.” This workshop seeks to introduce new faculty and staff to the CH Community of Inquiry philosophy and model as it relates to the school’s heritage and identity as an Episcopal school. Participants may apply for one hour of professional development credit in the area of Episcopal Identity following this workshop.

“To Grow More Loving Every Day”

A two-part seminar led by Julian Bull

Campbell Hall’s mission statement commits us to the nurturing of “decent, loving, and responsible” human beings. Every day in elementary chapel we pray, “Help us…to grow more loving every day.” But what is love, really, beyond Hallmark and Hollywood sentimentality? How could “love” possibly find its way onto an educator’s curriculum map? What is the relationship of love to truth and wisdom?

This two-part seminar will work with chapters from a book now out of print, Love’s Endeavour, Love’s Expense by W.H. Vanstone, as well as Julian’s essay on “The Flow of the Waterwheel” and material from Bernard Lonergan and related secondary material. The goal of the seminar will be to bridge between powerful but abstract philosophies and theologies of love to our concrete classroom experiences. Reading in advance of the seminar will deepen the discussion, but please attend if you are interested even if you cannot find time to do the reading. Also, it’s fine to attend only one or the other of the two sessions. Julian will offer each session at two different times, morning and lunch, to allow for different schedules.

Session I will convene on (pick one): Wednesday Dec.7, 7:15-8:15 a.m. in the ACAL Boardroom or Friday, Dec.9, 11:35-12:35 in my office.
 
Session II will convene on: Friday Jan. 6, 11:35-12:35 in my office or Wednesday Jan. 11, 7:15-8:15 a.m. in the ACAL Boardroom.

Each session offers 1 hour of professional development credit in Episcopal Identity. RSVP to Kena Dorsey so she can send you updated location information and any further materials in advance, but feel free to show up without RSVP.

Professional Development Workshop
The Lee Strasberg Method and the Power of Emotional Vulnerability

During the early 1930’s, Lee Strasberg,  the actor, teacher, director, and founding member of The Group Theatre began to develop a revolutionary acting technique that he called The Method. This system of acting was developed to aid the actor in his or her endeavor to examine the dynamic life of the human soul and express it in artistic form.

The fundamental concept of The Method is The Relaxation Exercise. Through the relaxation work, students practice deep breathing. They relax their muscle tension, contact their moment to moment emotional truth, and then, of course, express it. I have discovered that the relaxation is extremely powerful work for our students at Campbell Hall, not just as acting training, but as a means to deeper self discovery, profound learning, stronger role modeling, and more honest communication.

In an effort to examine the power of self discovery and emotional vulnerability in an Episcopal setting I will lead a workshop for faculty and staff focusing on the Strasberg Relaxation Exercise on Wednesday January 11th from 3:50 to 5:15 in room 48. The workshop will be part discussion and part participation in the relaxation exercise. We’ll also read some poetry. This workshop can count for credit in either Episcopal Identity, subject area expertise (for members of the performing arts or human development departments), or “other.” If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,