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An experienced teacher, Dorothy had retired several years earlier, but when she began to plan for this school with Marnie, age was no barrier to her enthusiasm. Today, at 88, she is still looking for adventure!

Lighthouse started as a dream – a vision of a school in the Western Communities based on the biblical teaching that God created the world and has a plan for each person in it.

The school opened in September, 1987 with 10 students from kindergarten to grade 7 and just two teachers. They met in a small Anglican church hall. The number of students increased gradually, and the school added more grades.

After six years, Marnie replaced her mother as principal. Two years later, the number of students had grown so much they had to move to a larger facility. Another building was soon added to accommodate the high school. Their first senior class graduated in 2000.             – Peter Biggs

A note from Principal Marnie Spencelayh:

Parents can help active children to experience success by letting them learn and move at the same time.

Let her sit and even bounce on a fitness ball while she reads a book. Make word or letter cards and have him lie on the floor to learn spelling. Set a timer to work for 10 minutes at a time then take a short nutrition break to eat a few nuts or have a drink.

If you make games to practice the skills of spelling or math facts you may remove the child’s stress of having to be right all the time while helping him to learn how to lose and still be a winner.

 Teachers who understand the need for action in children may let them get up to get work from a back table or stand beside the desk to write. These simple adjustments to the classroom routine can make a large difference for some students.

As human adults we like it when things are neat and in order but God’s creations are often messy and seemingly random. If we allow children to bounce, skip, run and wiggle while they learn or between short sessions of study, we will help them to use their God-given activity instead of fighting it.  

Success comes when a child has the confidence in himself to try new things without fear of failure.

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Reflections from Dorothy Dobson:

One of the amazing things about God’s creation is that he has made every person unique and different. Watching crowds in an airport recently, I became aware that there is more variety in people than there is in a flower garden.

It is not only in appearance, but in every aspect of life. Each person sees life differently, has a variety of capabilities and relates to others in his or her own way.

What teachers need to be aware of is that children also learn uniquely and God has a special plan for each child. To be a good teacher, one has to take all this into account in planning the course and preparing the daily lessons.

First of all, what interests and talents does each child have and how does she or he learn best? It sounds like a daunting, even impossible task. However, God also has a unique and special plan for the teacher. He knows her capability as well as he knows each child’s. He knows how to put it all together.

There is a solution to this seemingly impossible task. That is for the teacher to spend time daily in quiet getting God’s direction on how to teach and how to love each child he has created.  

Having a quiet time with the class or with individuals to seek God’s wisdom for a particular situation could bring a solution the teacher hadn’t considered. With God in charge, good results are bound to happen!   

August 2008