The Children’s Sangha was established in 2003 by Christine Keller, M.A., M.S.Ed. Our mission is to plant the seeds of stewardship in children and young adults by deepening their understanding of themselves, others and nature, as well as fostering in adults the spirit of education and joys of the growing mind that they may cultivate it in our youth. The Children’s Sangha philosophy combines civics (the rights and duties of citizenship) with ecopsychology (human interdependence with nature). We view civic responsibility as a form of stewardship for one another and the Earth. Our philosophy is based on our Different Abilities Development Model which applies the principles of progressive education in considering the “whole person.” Within the model, children are recognized for their individual abilities, interests, ideas, needs, and cultural identities. Cultivating the “Different Abilities” of our youth is critical for their success and the betterment of our society while intricately bound to the well-being of the Earth. The Children’s Sangha programs and consulting services offered under our Long Island Progressive Education Alliance have been created to restore the value and vision of progressive education and advocate for a more balanced presence of these concepts and practices in our schools today. It is important to realize that “Education is not preparation for life. Education is life itself.” (John Dewey) Through A Place of Wonder, we strive to enable individuals to value themselves and be valued as members of the Earth community and to explore the various roles they may engage in that lead to a transformation of consciousness for themselves and others. It has been said that “If a plant cannot live according to its nature, it dies; and so a man” (Henry David Thoreau). Our goals are accomplished through educational programs, consulting services, and workshops in collaboration with our local schools and community partners.