The Friends Council’s Spirited Practice and Renewed Courage (SPARC) program is in its third cycle, and the ripple effects of this spiritual leadership program are gaining strength. Seventy Friends school educators have now experienced the program, with many schools sending two or more faculty members to participate. Sending schools report experiencing a “spiritual boost” as SPARC members return to share reflective tools with the faculty, emerging as confident spiritual leaders in accreditation processes, sharing clearness protocols as a tool to connect with teenagers, co-leading a school’s Quaker self-study process, and more.

The SPARC program is based on the principles of teacher formation from Parker Palmer’s “Courage to Teach” work. A group of two-dozen teachers from Friends schools are selected to take part in this collaborative community, using reflective tools for self-directed professional development. Together, over a two-year cycle, the group explores the art and calling of teaching.

Selection Criteria:

We are seeking educators who:
• Care deeply about the Quaker dimension of the school
• Engage Quaker values in the classroom
• Realize personal and professional growth through critical reflection, dialogue, and feedback
• Contribute to collegial faculty development in the school.

Selection Process:

• Interested participants will submit:
1. an application for the SPARC program, including a short response describing how the applicant engages with Quaker values in the classroom.
1. a letter of support from their division director or head of school.
• NOTE: Heads of school have seen benefit from sending more than one teacher from one school.
• An ad hoc committee selects each cohort from the nominations, seeking a balanced and diverse group.

Dates for 2009-11 Retreats:
October 28-30, 2009, Pendle Hill, Wallingford, Pa.
May 12-14, 2010, The Chalfonte, Cape May, NJ
October 6-8, 2010, The Chalfonte
May 11-13, 2011, Pendle Hill

Each retreat begins with settling in on Wednesday at 4 pm and ends at noon on Friday.


Participant Agreement:


Participants in the SPARC program commit to be part of a two-year cycle of deepening reflection and interconnection; all members are responsible to each other in this learning community. Our policy for this residential program is that we expect full attendance and full participation in each program retreat (two retreats each school year).

This residential expectation for each retreat serves to build community, deepen levels of communication and trust, and provide ample time for reflective work. Participants make the necessary arrangements to arrive on time and stay the entire length of the program. Participants and their school heads/division heads take responsibility to know the retreat dates, anticipate and resolve any conflicts between SPARC dates and school/personal responsibilities, and make every effort to fulfill the commitment to the program.