Swedish Teachers Learn from GSB Program

by Peter Schmidt, Director of Studies

“The World is Our Classroom” has been the motto of Gill St. Bernard's School since the merger of the Gill and St. Bernard’s Schools nearly 40 years ago.  Unlike many institutional mottos, the GSB maxim is put into practice in many ways at every grade level of the school.  From kindergarten students who visit pumpkin patches to seniors who experience the world through the study of comparative religion and the global economy, GSB practices what it preaches.

A recent visit of five teachers and librarians from Sweden brought this point home these past two weeks.  Traveling under the auspices of a European Union grant which permits teachers from EU schools to visit notable school programs outside of Europe, these educators were at Gill St. Bernard's School to see its award-winning research program in action.  As guests of Randi Schmidt, Head Librarian, and Ginny Kowalski, Associate Librarian, the Swedish visitors spent several days interviewing GSB teachers and students in preparation for extending inquiry-based learning into their schools in Uppsala, Sweden.  “Our heads are spinning with new ideas,” was the effusive reaction of Goren Brolund, the organizer of the visit, following an evening of music, dinner, and several student reflections on the Scientific Literature Review, which highlighted the visit.  “To listen to these students discuss some of the highest levels of current scientific research is inspiring, but a bit intimidating.”

The Swedish teachers are now back home but plans are in the offing for a visit to Sweden by a group of GSB teachers and students in the 2011-2012 academic year.  After all, at Gill St. Bernard's School, “The World is Our Classroom.”