Philosophy of Education
"Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth….Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting get understanding." Proverbs 4:5,7
Schools cannot simply be institutions that convey a vast array of knowledge and information. Students must have an understanding of what is being taught and concurrently use wisdom to apply that learning to real life challenges and issues. Wisdom is defined as “the ability to use your knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgments”. In aligning the definition of wisdom to encompass a Christian worldview, it is imperative that QCC students use this wisdom to effect change in the world around them.
Many have heard the proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child”. It is customarily ascribed as an African proverb, but regardless of its origin it does relate to a child’s schooling, as well as life lessons. Our school strives to be a community whereby everyone is fulfilling certain roles and responsibilities. From a Christian perspective, the prime responsibility for the upbringing of a child is the parent. Ultimately it is the parent who will make choices for the child and for the family. Within the school environment all stakeholders should be able to find a safe place to learn, to develop in all areas, and to understand that Christ is central to all that is done at QCC. No one person will be absolutely correct one-hundred percent of the time, but by working together as a “village” we can create an atmosphere of trust and responsiveness in which everyone will blossom and find success. We believe that students should be allowed to ask questions freely. Questions are asked because a person does not have an answer to a particular problem or issue. It is a vital part of the learning process. The first teacher that a student had was not in a formal classroom setting, but rather in the home. The school is merely an extension of what has already taken place in the child’s initial formative years. Every parent has experienced the question, “Why Mommy/Daddy”, from their child. Children are naturally curious and they want to learn. Schools must be a place in the continuing development of inquisitive minds, while promoting creativity and innovation in order that they receive an enriched education.
Life-long learning is an important concept. It is not a goal, but rather a lifestyle and a journey that should never end. With discipline (training) the student begins to become a “thinker”, ready to go beyond what the teacher is presenting to discover even more truths. A school should meet the entire need of the individual - body, soul, and spirit. At QCC it is our intent to ensure that all three areas are developed, nurtured, and allowed to grow. We desire to have students who are true learners – continually thirsting after knowledge, that they can then use, with wisdom, to change their sphere of influence. The best sign of learning is when a student is fully engaged in the learning process because their interest has been cultivated, not simply motivated to receive a grade, but rather because their minds have been stretched and the possibilities are endless. What a great way to learn and grow!