Wise As Owls

 

Liberty Common School students are on a lifelong journey toward achieving true wisdom and becoming virtuous humans.  Teaching character development is a priority for the school.  It is taught daily through modeling, lessons in history, literature, and high accountability.  One example that comes to mind is the poem “A Wise Old Owl” by Edward Hersey Richards.  Fifth-grade students study this poem as part of the Core Knowledge curriculum.  It praises the virtue of wisdom and the importance of listening to others rather than speaking.  For such a short poem, it delivers a great message about respect, cooperation, and ultimately, wisdom. 

 

Wisdom is the keystone virtue holding everything together.  It is the end-goal of education.  LCS defines wisdom as “understanding and being inclined toward beauty, truth, goodness, and perfection.”  Not only do we want our students to acquire a wealth of knowledge, we want them to internalize and habituate virtue in a way that makes it possible for them to discern what is true, good, beautiful, and perfect.  In this way, they will become flourishing humans and truly experience Vitam Abuntantius—life in abundance.

 

Most would agree wisdom is developed over time.  This poses the question: At which age is wisdom achieved?  Is it possible for one to be wise for his or her age?  I would argue, yes, and Liberty students are perfect examples. 

 

Personally, I have witnessed my daughter Savannah (LCHS class of 2027, Legio XIII) grow in wisdom during her time at Liberty.  Recently, she attended her senior sunrise with classmates and afterwards expressed it was a great day.  When I asked her what had made it so great, her response was simple, but wise.  She replied, “I realized that I’ve gone to school with these people for so long and this may be the last year I see many of them.  It was special getting to spend time with all of them.”  It was a moment in which she saw the goodness and beauty of the community in which she has been immersed for these last 13 years.  She has been receiving lessons in virtue and knowledge from fabulous instructors and the result is that she understands and appreciates that which is true, good, beautiful, and perfect.  She is becoming a “wise old owl." 

 

Hers is only one example of how Liberty Common students develop excellent virtue while on their journey to becoming fully human.  In talking to many Liberty families, the same sentiment is expressed by each.  Liberty students will continue to grow in knowledge and virtue on their educational journeys after they leave Liberty, but rest assured that they are well on their way.  The strong foundation built during their time here will guide them in the future.  Truly, Liberty Common students are wise as owls.

 

A Wise Old Owl 

by Edward Hersey Richards

 

A wise old owl sat on an oak

The more he saw, the less he spoke.

The less he spoke, the more he heard.

Why aren’t we like that wise old bird?