By Smarty Guest Blogger Sybil Cohn, Lower School Director and Kindergarten Teacher, Palisades Episcopal School
Seven years ago, I entered an entirely new world of education when I joined the staff at Palisades Episcopal School (PES). Transitioning from a teaching environment where I was told what to teach, when to teach it, and how to teach it, to one where I was allowed the freedom to do my job — providing the best education I can in the way that best fits each child’s needs — was a dream come true.
Happy children learn best and PES students are joyful! On a daily basis our campus buzzes with laughter, exploration and excitement. Pop into our classrooms and you’ll find sixth graders using physics to test their hand-made marshmallow rockets, fourth graders building a sugar cube Great Wall of China, or kindergarteners performing as Presidents in their simulated wax museum. Learning comes alive as our students regularly engage in dynamic and meaningful experimentation, simulation, Socratic dialogue, group projects, writing workshop and more.
PES students also have regular opportunities to experience learning. They take field trips to experience first-hand accounts of history, science, art, and literature. From simulating Civil War soldiering at Latta Plantation to dissecting cow eyes at Catawba Science Center to taking black-and-white photographs and writing poetry at Congaree National Park, PES students live and breathe their learning far beyond the limits of their classroom walls.
Our students are encouraged to find the joy in learning. Our classroom lessons are active and interactive and our unhurried and creative learning environments focus on mastery of skills as the goal, rather than just memorization of facts. PES students are provided time to think, discuss, process and apply their knowledge which in turn promotes intellectual curiosity and creates lifelong learners.
I have never experienced a school like PES and am honored to teach here. I am invigorated by my dedicated colleagues who work tirelessly to provide the best education to our students. I am inspired by our students who bring joy to everyone they encounter and whose love of learning is fostered and celebrated. I am thankful to be part of PES and invite you to visit to experience firsthand how your children could benefit from a PES education. 
Palisades Episcopal School
13120 Grand Palisades Parkway
Charlotte, NC 28278
704.583.1825
Email
www.pescharlotte.org
Facebook
Twitter @pescharlotte
