Dear Miquon Community, I remember the first time I heard of The Miquon School. I was a third and fourth grade teacher at a Progressive school in the Hudson Valley, NY. As I planned my classes, I found materials initially developed at Miquon, and I felt a deep sense of camaraderie with the school for how it encouraged the ways in which children learn. Twenty years later, I am honored, humbled, and excited to join The Miquon School as its next Principal. The opportunity to become a part of this community and steward its mission as Principal is a privilege, … READ MORE »
On December 14, the Board announced the appointment of K. Geetha Holdsworth as the next Principal of The Miquon School, effective July 1, 2023. “Geetha’s engagement with education transcends her roles at individual schools; she consistently presents her work at local and national conferences…. [she] pairs her breadth and depth of experience with a genuine joy in building relationships with everyone from our youngest students to our most veteran staff members.” READ MORE »
Miquon will construct a new library/classroom building and outdoor gathering space that will “re-envision the center of Miquon’s campus and how we can use our spaces and grounds to learn together in joyful and creative ways.” READ MORE »
As Diane Webber prepares to retire from her teaching position at The Miquon School, she is adamant that she is simply moving into a next phase, “a new variation on teaching that is more about writing. I hope to work productively for the next couple of decades or more,” she says. “Well into my 80s would suit me just fine!” Diane has taught grades 5 and 6 at Miquon since 2012, with a two-year stint before that. Although she didn’t attend Miquon as a student, two of her three children did, and her eldest, Ian, is an alum who now … READ MORE »
Theodore Caleb Haas (who goes by Caleb) has parents who were interested in Progressive education, and when they went searching for something unique with an emphasis on the natural world and child-directed academics, found The Miquon School. The eldest of three siblings who all attended Miquon, Caleb started at the school as a Nursery student and graduated in 2006. As with so many Miquon alumni, Caleb’s earliest memory is of playing outdoors on Miquon’s wooded campus. Mention the creek and the bamboo forest and Caleb lights up. He remembers climbing trees, building a fort they called “The Shack,” and playing … READ MORE »
Not every 18-year-old knows exactly (or nearly so) what they want to do with the rest of their life, nor can they articulate their decision clearly and confidently. That is not the case with Gabriel “Gabe” Seplow ’14, however. “I love being on stage and I want to act, wherever and however I can. I love telling stories, and I love directing, and I would love to pursue that too. Broadway would be a dream,” he says. He also is open to teaching or mentoring others. But it is the acting that is clearly his passion and something he has … READ MORE »
Now a senior at Abington Friends School, Rory Erlich ’14 was one of six Miquon Class of 2014 graduates who enrolled at AFS. He was close friends with all of them, which influenced his decision, and eased the transition to middle school. Over time, those six moved on and formed other social groups, but all still remain close, bonded by their shared Miquon experience. Rory’s Miquon memories come quickly. One of his earliest recollections centers around a self-portrait he was asked to draw in 1st or 2nd grade. The prompt was, “I am amazing because …” and although he doesn’t … READ MORE »
At Miquon, Zady learned the value of collaboration and of trusting herself. It’s been only two years since her Miquon graduation, and Zady Hasse already recognizes the positive effects that experience has had on her life. “I learned persistence at Miquon,” she begins. “I learned to trust in myself and trust that things will come together, and if you push through the discomfort, you will succeed and be proud of yourself.” Reading and math did not come naturally for Zady, but she learned to “push through” with gentle support and encouragement from her teachers. Zady struggled with anxiety when she … READ MORE »
Now the mom of a Nursery student at the Miquon School, Elizabeth Nathanson ’91 started her own Miquon experience when she was about the same age as her daughter, Lucy. Elizabeth’s mother grew up in New York City and yearned for her daughters to experience the outdoors. Later, as a Philadelphia resident, she found the environment — the deep connections to nature and its values — that she wanted for them at Miquon. (Elizabeth’s younger sister, Jane, graduated from Miquon in 1994.) Elizabeth remembers being enthralled by that natural environment as a youngster, and now as a current Miquon parent, … READ MORE »
