The Friends Council's Spirited Practice and Renewed Courage (SPARC) program is a leadership development program based on principles from Parker Palmer's "Courage to Teach" work. Together, over a two-year cycle, the group explores personal and professional growth through critical reflection, dialogue, and feedback. Teachers and administrators are selected to take part in this learning community and use collaborative inquiry and reflective tools for self-directed professional development.
SPARC is in its ninth cycle, and the ripple effects of this spiritual leadership program are gaining strength. Over 170 Friends school educators have now experienced this unique program, with many schools sending teams of two or more faculty members to participate. Schools report experiencing a deeper engagement of the Quaker dimension in their schools and classrooms as SPARCers return to share reflective tools with their colleagues. SPARC participants emerge as confident faculty leaders contributing to collegial professional development in their schools through 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.
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 an application,
A short response describing how the applicant engages with Quaker values in her or his school and classroom.
A brief endorsement note 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 2019-22 Retreats:
Monday-Wednesday, October 28-30, 2019
Monday-Wednesday, April 27-29, 2019
Thursday, October 22, 2020 - virtual on Zoom
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 - virtual on Zoom
Tuesday, March 2, 2021 - virtual on Zoom
Wednesday, April 14, 2021 - virtual on Zoom
Each retreat begins with settling in at 4 pm.
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.
Fee 2019-20: $870 per person per year - for two full retreats, which is $435 per retreat, includes food and lodging
Fee 2020-2021 - $100 per person for four virtual sessions. (This fee is subsidized through a generous grant.)
The Leadership Institute taught me that there is an extraordinary range of people within our community who are ready, willing, and able to provide leadership at every level of our institutions.
SPARC put me in touch with an awareness—which stays with me many years later—that our work is sacred. All of it, all of the time. My task is simply to identify the sacred dimension, and to try and align my own energy with it.
Tom Hoopes
Chair of Religions Department, George School
Retreat Dates for 2019-22 Cohort
October 28 - October 30, 2019
(Mon-Wed)
Pendle Hill, Wallingford, PA
April 27 - April 29, 2020
(Mon-Wed)
Virtual sessions on Zoom
Virtual Sessions(Thu) October 22, 2020 4pm to 5:30pm
