5 questions with Shaheer Faltas, Journey School executive director

Shaheer Faltas is the executive director of Journey School in Aliso Viejo, shown here with some of the Third graders from Journey School. MICHAEL KITADA, FOR THE REGISTER

Shaheer Faltas is the executive director of Aliso Viejo's Journey School, a K-8 public charter in the Capistrano Unified School District. Journey School was nominated for a U.S. Green Ribbon School Award for its campus environmental efforts.

Journey School integrated an eco-literacy program into its school curriculum that includes gardening, permaculture, zero-emission field trips where students bike or walk to their destination and other environmentally-friendly curriculum. Winners will be announced April 22, and last year all four California schools that were nominated received the award. Here's some insight into Faltas' view of the program.

Q. Can you explain how the eco-literacy program began and how long it's been around?

A. In order to teach the whole child, Journey has always embraced principles like ecology, environmental education and stewardship. Then, in 2009, our Eco-Literacy champion, Michelle Spieker, took things to the next level by designing an Eco-Literacy curriculum, inspired by the book, "Ecological Literacy," that incorporates California and Waldorf standards. Michelle's work with Jodi Levine, founder of Earthroots Field School, also fueled her passion and led them to forge powerful partnerships with Journey parents and faculty. As a result, our teachers and children have embraced environmental education fully.

Q. How does Ecoliteracy fit into Journey's curriculum?

A. In kindergarten and first grade, students spend abundant time in nature, which fosters their intrinsic curiosity and observational capacities. In second grade, students study such things as the life cycles of the bee, butterfly, worm and seed through hands-on and artistic experiences. In third grade, just when the 9-year-old child craves affirmation and security, students grow their own garden, cook food that they serve to others and build models of shelters from all around the world. In fourth grade, students tend our native gardens and study Native American stories, traditions and cultural contributions. Fifth grade marks a major shift in our educational approach. This is when the 12-year-old child develops strong critical-thinking capacity and is ready to delve into higher-order tasks and leadership, including rainwater harvesting, sustainability, and eco-leadership.

Q. What is your vision for the future?

A. Our vision is to build an entirely green and sustainable campus that has beautiful fruit- and vegetable-bearing gardens that allow for a farm-to-fork experience. State-of-the-art facilities will be designed to teach students 21st century skills and allow students to excel in the performing arts, sciences and all disciplines. In order to achieve this vision, we've set a preliminary goal to raise $5 million of seed money in the next two years. We are asking for the community's support to make this vision come alive.

Q. What does the Green Ribbon award mean to Journey School?

A. We never intended to win an award or gain public accolades. Our intention was simply to create a school based on certain core principles, such as: the arts, ethics and environmental stewardship. Our hope was that the students would fully embrace these values. What we've discovered is that the students have not only embraced these values, but have also built upon them in ways we never imagined.

Q. You've worked at a variety of different schools. What brought you to Journey and what keeps you coming back?

A. Seven years ago, I set out to find a school for my young daughter, which led me to Waldorf Education. She had started in a traditional setting where she performed admirably academically, but was left uninspired inwardly. The difference is that Waldorf Education is designed to touch the human spirit like none other. This is why I have dedicated my professional career to making public Waldorf Education possible for all children. It has been the most fulfilling experience of my career to serve Journey School students and families.

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