A New Kind of Toast
From The Grauer School's 2023 Gala

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. As educators, we have embarked on a journey of discovery, uncovering the transformative power of nature on the minds and hearts of our students and teachers. Tonight, I raise a new kind of toast to the pursuit of this vision, for all of us.

When we immerse ourselves deeper into nature, a profound understanding blossoms. Outdoors, we engage our senses, tapping into an intelligence that goes beyond analysis. The journey of learning commences in classrooms, but it flourishes amidst breaking waves, on rugged trails, under rain-soaked skies, around the campfire, and amidst golden wheat fields. Our school expeditions, twice a year, pave the way for remarkable growth.

In our country, our children spend a mere 5 to 7% of their time outdoors. This statistic is a reminder of the challenges we face. Schools and cities, in their pursuit of progress and productivity, have distanced our youth from nature. Today, I pledge that together, as teachers and parents, we must triple that time. By embracing outdoor and naturalist education, we cultivate healthy, alert, and focused students and teachers. It is our responsibility to preserve and create these spaces, for they are fundamental to our students' whole development. Our campus, with its naturalist charm, welcomes students and teachers every day, instilling a sense of clarity, creativity, and peace of mind. As you step through our Tolerance Gateway, let the spirit of our naturalist campus guide your every thought and action.

For decades, the true essence of great campus design has been obscured. It is not about the number of buildings, monuments, or asphalt. It lies within the open classrooms, orchards, and recreational spaces that breathe life into the silence. The great campus finds simplicity in the embrace of natural spaces, light, color, and sound—a harmony that requires constant and substantial tradeoffs. We must never take our learning environment for granted.

Similarly, expeditions and outdoor education serve as powerful reminders that learning knows no boundaries. Whether it's Yosemite, the Central Valley, Baja, the Alps, or the Sierras, these journeys define inspiration, in its various meanings. But even if screens bring the sights and sounds of nature to us, we can create our own havens wherever we are, whatever our work may be. Each glimpse of nature fosters clarity, ignites creativity, and nurtures peace of mind, offering solace in a world that grapples with new epidemics every season.

Let’s raise our noses to the air. Inhale slowly. Have another hit of fresh air! Thank you for getting outside with us.

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