SAA is a Gurian Model School
San Antonio Academy is a Gurian Model School. This means that SAA has been trained and adheres to the educational concepts Michael Gurian has established for same sex education. Michael Gurian’s approach to same sex education is based upon three foundational concepts: 1) Boys and girls learn differently. 2) Nurture the nature and 3) Understand, monitor and guide cultural influences.
Boys and Girls Learn Differently
In the past thirty years, there has been extensive research conducted on understanding the human brain and how it functions. As a result, these studies have shown that there are significant differences in male and female brains. The human brain is the same in both male and females, but the way each brain functions is quite different. For example, the way girls and boys perceive the world using their senses shapes how information will be stored in the memory areas of the brain. Cognitive development is how children think, interpret, understand and form memories of their life experiences. Having the sex hormone testosterone present in the brain results in fewer verbal processing and more spatial processing cortical areas than in a brain without testosterone. This would make the learning experience more challenging for a boy than a girl when the majority of our teaching is verbal and directed to verbal processing and comprehension. This difference does not mean boys cannot learn and be as successful as girls, but instead the way a boy learns will be more effective when taught using more special processing skills.
Nurture the Nature
It is helpful when we are familiar with age appropriate, developmental milestones as children mature physically, mentally, socially and emotionally. Being able to nurture the developmental goals for the child’s stage allows them to master the processes. It allows them to build confidence in their ability to accept challenges and to successfully reach solutions.
Culture
Culture is the conglomeration of beliefs, traditions, trends and fads. What is important? What code of ethics do we follow for civility? How do we celebrate? What is the newest invention and how does it impact our lives? How do we solve conflict? Culture is our unique stamp on our life experience. Some of our culture supports what we believe and how we choose to behave, while other parts of our culture challenge those same beliefs and behaviors. An example of this is the Internet.
The goal for each of these concepts is to offer understanding of how a child best develops and those procedures that support his or her maturity process in becoming a compassionate, productive adult.
According to the Gurian Model, Strategy is key when teaching children so that they can learn to be the best they can be.
“Deja-Vu” is when you see something new in a familiar way. Turn that around and you have “vuja-de” where you see something familiar in a new way. Consider Travis Kalanick and Garrett Kemp. They are the founders of Uber. They saw something familiar (taxi, getting a ride from someone) and now they are multi-millionaires. We need to find familiar lessons and present them in a new way that will help our boys have the best educational experience possible.