As a lifelong educator—and the son of one—I’ve spent over 26 years in schools, from my upbringing in South Africa to my current role as the Assistant Head of School at The Pine School in Hobe Sound, Florida. I’ve seen firsthand how challenging it can be to build a strong community in this digital age, where distractions are constant and genuine connection can be elusive. Creating a connection was one of the primary reasons I chose to enroll in the professional development program at The Island School. I wanted to understand how they successfully foster such deep bonds and a strong sense of community amongst students, educators, interns, and staff. I quickly discovered that the secret lies in building an intentional community—a purposeful effort to create a shared environment where every action, every challenge, and every success serves to strengthen the group. Teamwork with a purpose.

Stepping Into Purpose

My journey to the island was an adventure in itself. When all my flights were canceled the morning of my travel, I had to pivot quickly just to get to the starting line. Upon my arrival on campus, someone asked if I thought the universe was trying to tell me not to go. My answer was a firm “no.” I saw it as a challenge, my own personal Amazing Race—an obstacle that needed to be overcome. This mindset, one of resilience and determination, is a core part of the Island School experience. My daughter, who attended the Fall 2023 semester, told me she had become “comfortable in the uncomfortable” during her time there, and I was about to find out exactly what she meant as we were encouraged to lean into our challenges.

The moment I stepped onto the Cape Eleuthera campus, I noticed many things, and the spirit of the community was palpable. It’s a place where the environment isn’t just a backdrop; it’s the classroom. The program’s commitment to sustainability was evident everywhere, from the wind turbine and solar panels that power the campus to the aquaponics systems that provide fresh produce daily. This emphasis on a fully integrated, sustainable community was a major highlight for me. While I arrived with a specific professional goal, this opportunity energized me in a way I hadn’t anticipated. It gave me time to reflect on why I chose education as a career in the first place, and more importantly, to understand that the impact I make will most likely pay dividends in the years ahead rather than in the short term.

Conference Highlights and Intentional Community

The Educators Conference was filled with unforgettable moments that blended hands-on science with awe-inspiring nature. One of the absolute highlights was going out with the Cape Eleuthera Institute Shark Research team. Under the guidance of Dr. Natascha Wosnick and her crew of researchers, we had the incredible opportunity to assist in netting and tagging lemon sharks, contributing directly to their critical research. This shared experience, where we worked side-by-side on a meaningful project, was a tangible example of how intentional community is built through a shared purpose. We followed instructions and left with all our fingers and, more importantly, an incredible experience.

Another exciting session involved learning about how The Island School is partnering with a private land owner and has begun agroforestry near campus. Food Security and affordability are crucial to the people of Eleuthera, and Dr. Eric Schneider and his team are in the midst of planting their first orchard. This innovative project perfectly embodies the school’s commitment to sustainable, local solutions, and it also highlights the shared responsibility for the environment that binds the community together. And who could forget the sunrise boat ride to the sandbar with The Island School’s founder, Chris Maxey? We learned how OOID’s are formed and how they are the building blocks that contributed to the formation of the Bahamas. It was a stunning way to connect geology and chemistry to the beauty right under our feet, fostering a shared sense of wonder.

Beyond these academic adventures, the spirit of community was everywhere. We were incredibly well-fed, and even in the heat of summer, coffee was always at hand. We were welcomed by everyone at The Island School with open arms. Being part of the dish crew was another memorable experience. Working with Ozzie to get his kitchen clean and ready for the next meal taught me a simple but profound lesson about intentional community: “We start as a team, we work as a team, and we finish as a team.” This ethos of shared responsibility and collaboration was woven into every aspect of the program, from our work in the kitchen to our scientific research.

Informing Education Through Lived Experiences

In just six days, our diverse group of 18 educators—from kindergarten teachers to college professors, youth club administrators, and high school math teachers—became a close-knit team. If you absolutely cannot do without air conditioning or have an allergy to bug bites, then you might want to avoid The Bahamas in the summertime. However, we found that our crew all leaned into the uncomfortable and found strength in dealing with our individual challenges together. We reminded each other to keep hydrated, checked on our buddies, and kept moving forward. This shared adversity forged a deep and immediate bond among us—a clear testament to the power of intentional community built on mutual support and a common goal.

My biggest takeaway is the profound connection between purpose and place. The Island School doesn’t just teach about the environment; it teaches through the environment. This has inspired me to think more deeply about how I can anchor our own curriculum in the specific context of my school’s community. I’m excited to help support the queen conch project on our campus when I return, and I look forward to building a stronger bond among our students and continuing to connect with everyone from The Island School in the future.

If you are an educator looking to be re-inspired, to challenge your own assumptions, and to learn from a community that is truly ‘walking the walk,’ I wholeheartedly recommend The Island School’s professional development programs. This experience is for anyone who believes that education should be an adventure, a journey of discovery that extends far beyond the four walls of a classroom. It’s an opportunity to remember that true community is built through shared purpose and authentic connection.