Building A Life

AtFitzgerald Community School(FCS) we believe that all children are perfectly designed, each with a unique temperament, nurturance style, learning style, passions, talents and opportunities for growth. Wehonorthis understanding to ensure that each learnerthrivesthrough ourpersonalized agendas– instead of a cookie cutter approach. Every child is understood, celebrated and taught in a way that honors their essence and reveals their greatness.We are nature-based, personalized and project-based. But what does that mean?Nature-Based -While traditional schools emphasize a model filled with desks and electronics, our nature-based education is designed to stimulate all the senses and activate both the body and the mind. An FCS learner will spend an average of 3 hours a day outside, playing and learning in fresh air. Our indoor classrooms are filled with active seating and sensory-rich natural materials such as wooden toys, and calming colors that nurtures every child’s mind, body and spirit.Personalized- Who a child is, influences the way we teach. We’ve spent years perfecting a blend of free play, project-based learning, and foundational learning to give our learners a personalized educational experience that’s designed to let everyone flourish. Our teachers (whom we refer to as learning coaches) are specially trained to create a personalized learning plan for each student to meet them exactly where they are at. Our smaller class size ratio of 1-8 students give the learner the freedom to explore in a way that naturally complements their individual learning style. The mixed-age groups foster the development of social skills and leadership in a safe environment.Project-Based- Engaging in science and cultural projects that connect to the community and apply to real life settings. A learner can follow their curiosity and cultivate their creativity, while still learning a similar curriculum as the public school system, to become well-rounded and confident students that are fully-prepared when they transition to middle school.Our school was founded byJeanine K. Fitzgerald, who has more than 35 years of professional experience to empower teachers and parents to achieve more. With experience as a certified teacher, mental health professional and mother of three grown children, she understands the promise of every child, as well as the diversity of their needs. She is a Human Behavior Consultant and Specialist, the Owner of The Fitzgerald Institute of Lifelong Learning, a speaker, consultant and a master trainer. She is a published author of The Dance of Interaction and a national training program entitled Education with Insight. She is currently putting the finishing touches on her second and third books, Educating the Heart and Through the Eyes of A Child.Every year Jeanine offers the community the opportunity to participate in one of her training series. This year she has chosen the series entitledBuilding A Life.All sessions are scheduled from 6:30-8 PM.