*Some names have been changed to protect the innocent. Julia Penman* has been a teacher for 5 years in her local public school district and this is her last year. “I just can’t do it anymore.” says Penman. “The parents hate the schools, the schools are failing the students and the students have just given up. Have you ever seen a 5 year old who has given up? I have and it’s tragic.” Julia holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and is leaving her teaching career for a

For the past two months I have met with over 50 educators and professionals from a diverse range of specialties. These meetings were often informal, over coffee or tea, and intensely personal. My aim was to get to know each individual outside of the rigid structure often created by formal interviews but it was also to give each individual the time to ask questions and understand The Verdi EcoSchool vision. I was surprised by the immediate connection I made with some - sharing