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Like many parents, I had a feeling something was missing in my child’s education. It was not long ago when I noticed that my little girl, a kindergartner at the time, who loved reading books with me at home, had begun to struggle at school. Every morning, there was a battle to get her out the door. She was miserable. When I asked her what she learned that day, she had nothing to say. She could only tell me about the children who got in trouble. This disconnection was so stark to me—at home, she was a curious, eager learner, but at school, she was just going through the motions.

I knew there had to be something more. As a mother, you can feel when something’s not right, when your child isn’t thriving. Around that time, I was finishing my undergraduate degree, and the frustration I felt with the traditional school system mirrored the questions I was wrestling with in my own life: “Is this really the best way to learn? Is this the world I want my child to grow up in?”

It was through a conversation at church that I first heard about Ambleside, and it felt like a lifeline. I was put in touch with a woman who was opening an Ambleside school in San Angelo, and shortly after, I visited the Ambleside school in Fredericksburg. I remember sitting in a combined Kinder/First class and watching a teacher pause during a Bible reading to ask a little girl to narrate. The child was distracted, but the teacher, full of grace, gently said, “That’s okay, I’ll come back to you.” There was no pressure, no rush—just a deep, peaceful understanding of the child’s learning process. I watched, transfixed, as the teacher brought the class back to focus without shaming or punishing anyone. It was a beautiful moment, and I knew immediately that this was the kind of environment I wanted for my child.

That day, I went home and bought the six-volume set of Charlotte Mason’s work which would change my life. These books were a breath of fresh air. The simplicity with which they addressed how to nurture a child’s mind through habit, attention, and an atmosphere of beauty and learning resonated deeply with me. It was everything I had been looking for. I knew this philosophy could not only transform my own child’s experience but could help transform our whole community.

The more I learned about Charlotte Mason and the Ambleside approach, the more I wanted to be involved. Even though I didn’t have a lot of resources at the time, my family and I did whatever we could—searching for the right art supplies, finding the best books, preparing the classroom spaces. My daughter, the youngest in the school that first year, experienced a profound transformation. She went from being a child who resisted school to one who eagerly jumped out of bed at 4:30 in the morning, ready to get to school. She would narrate stories she had read in class as soon as she was in the car, eager to share her excitement about history, language, and the joy of learning. It was clear that the Ambleside approach had sparked a fire in her that had been long dormant.

I wanted to be a part of that transformation in other children’s lives too. When I was asked to substitute at the school during my daughter’s third-grade year, I initially hesitated. I wasn’t sure I was qualified. But something inside me knew this was my calling, so I accepted. Soon enough, I was waking up excited, waiting for that phone call asking me to come in and teach. Being in the classroom, witnessing those deep, rich connections between students and the material—connections that were profound and soul-stirring—made me realize that this was where I was supposed to be.

That feeling of awe only grew as I transitioned into teaching full-time and then into my current role as head of school. Over the years, I’ve seen countless children, just like my daughter, find themselves in this space—children who were frustrated or misunderstood by other schools. Parents came to us with the same question I once asked: Is there more? Is there a better way? I’ve seen children thrive in ways I never expected. They come to us from schools where they’ve been bullied, ignored, or left behind. They arrive anxious, resistant to learning, sometimes with a sense of hopelessness. And then, slowly but surely, the transformation begins.

Without the pressure of technology, constant testing, and sensory overload, these students begin to breathe. They walk into classrooms adorned with beautiful art and inspiring books. Music plays softly in the background, and a sense of peace permeates the space. Every subject, whether history, science, or language, is approached with curiosity and delight. Even the hardest lessons are infused with joy because the children see learning not as a chore but as a living, breathing pursuit.

One of the most rewarding parts of my journey has been watching children grow in ways that feel nothing short of miraculous. I’ve seen students who came to us angry, mistrustful, or shy transform into confident, kind, and curious individuals. I remember one sixth-grade student, a young boy who was struggling with deep anger when he first arrived. Over time, this same student became one of the most helpful in the school, offering to sweep the backyard, taking pride in small tasks, and offering a hand wherever he could. That’s the power of this approach—it doesn’t just teach knowledge; it transforms character.

And watching my own daughter, once a little girl full of resistance and frustration, now become a teacher in this very same school—teaching the next generation of children the same principles I first discovered—has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. And to see my grandchild now enrolled here as well, it’s as if this whole journey has come full circle.

Building an Ambleside school in San Angelo, creating a space where children can truly flourish, has been nothing short of miraculous. It hasn’t always been easy. There were challenges and setbacks. But every time I look at these students, I’m reminded of why we do this. Every student who finds their spark, every family who discovers the beauty of a Charlotte Mason education, feels like a miracle.

The Ambleside approach isn’t just an educational model—it’s a way of life. It’s a philosophy that sees each child as a person with inherent dignity, capable of deep thought, curiosity, and joy. It’s not about forcing them to fit into a mold. It’s about meeting them where they are and helping them become the best version of themselves. And in the end, it’s not just the students who are transformed; the whole community is.

This is why I’m all in. Every day, I see the difference we’re making, and it’s worth every ounce of energy we pour into it. Because this isn’t just a school; it’s a place where lives are changed.

Rebecca Aidala

Head of School, Ambleside Concho Valley