Northridge Academy High School: Sit with Wisdom

Written by Jason Black, Teacher, Northridge Academy High School

“Sit with Wisdom” is an event at NAHS through which students are strategically selected to enjoy a catered lunch with one of their teachers (approximately eight students per teacher). The “wisdom” component stems from the knowledge and experiences that students share with the teacher seated at their decorated, prom-style table. The general vibe of a “Sit with Wisdom” lunch involves the purposeful stripping away of traditional boundaries inherent in the student-teacher relationship in order for all parties to exist on the same plane for a brief moment in time. That brief moment becomes a priceless opportunity for students to build a lifetime of connections with their teachers by sitting with them, eye-to-eye, eating the same food, smiling as they bite into generous portions of ice cream or other frozen treats, and sharing wisdom with one another. “Sit with Wisdom” is an important time when students can actually “see” their teachers as allies in their pursuit of personal success. The wisdom that is shared between teachers and students during these “Sit with Wisdom” lunches continues to positively impact our school culture and sustain our support for one another as a community of learners—the NAHS family.