Four years ago, when Mount Madonna School (MMS) student Ronan Lee was in elementary school, he chose to learn about conservationist and biologist Jane Goodall for a class project on ‘moral heroes.’The annual ‘moral heroes’ study is a special and much-anticipated part of the MMS third grade’s curriculum. Each student selects a person whose work, actions and life inspires them to research. Students create a small bottle doll representation of their hero, and on the designated day, dress up and portray their hero for presentations to their classmates, other students, parents and special guests.
That project came full circle, recently, when Lee, now a middle school student, had the opportunity to meet Goodall in person. Lee and his parents attended an event sponsored by the Wildlife Conservation Network, featuring Goodall as guest speaker. Following her talk, Goodall signed copies of her book ‘Seeds of Hope: Wisdom and Wonder from the World of Plants.’
‘When I was in third grade I really wanted to study someone who loves animals for my moral hero’ said Lee. ‘I picked Jane Goodall because she helped chimpanzees and made a big difference with preserving their habitat. I never imagined that four years later I would go to a wildlife expo and actually meet her in person!‘She smiled when I showed her the doll I’d made to represent her when I was in third grade,’ Lee shared. ‘She told me no one had ever shared with her before a doll that they’d made of her. After she signed my doll, my dad told me that Jane Goodall was he and my mom’s hero, and my grandma’s hero, too.’
Third grade teacher Hamsa Heinrich was pleased to learn of Lee’s meeting with Goodall.
‘For me it’s so inspiring to plant ‘seeds of learning’ with students in my class and not always know when the content will come up again,’ said Heinrich, ‘or how it will impact their learning down the road.’ ####
Photos with Jane Goodall courtesy of Wildlife Conservation Network
Photos with Jane Goodall courtesy of Wildlife Conservation Network
Contact: Leigh Ann Clifton, Director of Marketing & Communications,
Nestled among the redwoods on 355 acres, Mount Madonna School (MMS) is a community of learners dedicated to creative, intellectual, and ethical growth. MMS supports its students in becoming caring, self-aware, discerning and articulate individuals; and believe a fulfilling life includes personal accomplishments, meaningful relationships and service to society. The CAIS and WASC accredited program emphasizes academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. Located on Summit Road between Gilroy and Watsonville.
