Chapter 1: The Essence of Education

The true measure of a fulfilling life lies in how we engage with the world and the impact we have on others, as they do on us.

By Ira Rabois

For many students, traditional schools resemble factories—vast institutions where they are evaluated, tested, and ranked, only to be handed off to other schools or employers for further assessment. Conversely, for students at the Lehman Alternative Community School (LACS), a public alternative institution in Ithaca, New York, school is a sanctuary where dreams are conceived. It is a space that fosters the imagination and encourages a critical examination of life’s endless possibilities. This perspective was influenced by a LACS alumnus, John Lewis, who once crafted a mural featuring Peter Pan characters with the faces of his classmates and teachers—youthful dreamers in pursuit of their aspirations.

In July 2014, prior to the pandemic when social interaction was more accessible, LACS celebrated its 40th Anniversary Reunion. I attended this gathering reflecting on the dreams students held for their futures, including my own. How many had seen their ambitions come to fruition? How many would remember the school and my contributions fondly, believing we had adequately prepared them for the world? Upon entering the stunning guesthouse for the reunion, I found my answer.

Before delving into the concept of dreams, it’s important to acknowledge the various interpretations we attach to the term. Nightly dreams often reveal our innermost thoughts, hidden from our conscious minds and those around us, leading us to dismiss them. We navigate through a largely uncharted realm of our own creation.

Daydreams, on the other hand, allow us to momentarily escape reality, engaging in flights of imagination or exploring potential actions and the significance of our experiences. In these moments, our minds become a canvas where we envision scenarios and possibilities, liberating our thoughts.

Our ability to harness this dreaming capacity hinges on our awareness of the process. After experiencing a night dream, we might perceive ourselves as the hero of the tale. However, this perspective can be misleading. We can view each scene either through the lens of a character resembling ourselves or from an overarching viewpoint observing the entire situation.

In the context of a nightmare, when faced with a flood, we are not merely the overwhelmed; we embody both the one feeling the weight of the experience and the one providing comfort. Each element of the dream encapsulates different facets of ourselves, emphasizing the holistic nature of our experiences.

Reflecting on the reunion, which spanned from Friday night to Sunday evening, Saturday's All School Meeting (ASM) was particularly poignant for many alumni. At LACS, these weekly gatherings serve as a forum for addressing issues or sharing events collectively.

Dr. Dave Lehman, the school's founding principal, proposed a significant addition to the school’s mission: to cultivate compassionate global citizens—individuals who embody care, kindness, sensitivity, and trustworthiness. He referenced the Dalai Lama’s definition of compassion as a heartfelt concern for others, underscoring the importance of action in alleviating suffering. The motion to include compassion was met with overwhelming support.

During the ASM, Diane Carruthers, the then-principal, echoed the sentiments of educator and activist Septima Clark, who stated, “education is freedom.” I would argue that recognizing our interdependence is also a form of liberation. As graduate Megan Hanna pointed out, true compassion for others begins with self-compassion.

Too often, we are misguided into believing that our well-being is at odds with that of others, leading to feelings of isolation and conflict. Much like in a dream, understanding that we are interconnected with all characters within the dream is liberating. Compassion awakens us to the importance of our relationships and experiences, allowing us to open ourselves in extraordinary ways. Ignoring this reality can have dire consequences for ourselves and our planet.

An essential part of childhood involves testing boundaries to discover where we end and where we begin. While this exploration starts in early life, it continues throughout our journey. Initially, we are unaware of our limitations, but we soon come to view our skin as the defining boundary. Yet, the skin's primary function is to engage with the world, and as adolescents, we learn to feel deeply.

Our understanding of our capabilities emerges not from resisting external boundaries but through engagement with them. Only by making contact can we truly comprehend. Fighting against something requires an initial understanding of it. Thus, our skin and the world beyond it shape our beginning.

The reunion vividly illustrated this concept. Graduates reflected on their time at LACS as an opportunity to decode their dreams, encompassing the essence of their education and community. Participants expressed that LACS enabled them to embrace their authentic selves, fostering trust and self-discovery.

This nurturing environment was reciprocal. Staff members also felt a profound sense of purpose, having cultivated meaningful relationships with students. The communal trust was palpable, creating an atmosphere of mutual support. I had never felt so welcomed by a diverse group as I did during that reunion.

Arriving at the reunion, I hoped to hear that each student had achieved their dreams, but many graduates challenged my traditional view of success. They conveyed that success is not merely about external validation. The true hallmark of a successful life lies in how we live and the roles we play in each other's lives.

This intertwines with the reflective nature of compassion—how we treat ourselves is mirrored in our interactions with others. As environmental activist John Perkins articulated, we are collectively dreaming the world into existence. In recognizing this interconnectedness, it is evident that most of our students are not only successful but are well on their way toward achieving their dreams.

Video Description: An introduction to Roger Sams' Purposeful Pathways, discussing the significance of fostering dreams in education.

Video Description: Glenn Knockwood's TEDx talk on modern education and the transformative power of natural learning.

Chapter 2: Embracing Compassion and Freedom

The journey toward understanding ourselves and others is a lifelong endeavor.