by Dr. Peggy Pelonis

Fear and Fractals; What do They Have to Do with Schools?

Note from President Dr. Peggy Pelonis

Undoubtedly the beauty of nature reigns all over the world. Lately however, it seems that nature is under attack more than ever. Both my homes, Attica and broader Greece as well as California, USA, are consumed by raging wildfires leaving many homeless and many others feeling deep sadness, anger and helplessness. Beneath all these feelings is a never-ending fear of ‘what next’ which can literally numb our senses. It is this reign of fear that our children experience either directly or vicariously through us.

Fear is experienced by all humans. Fear starts in our mind but affects our bodies. It triggers survival mechanisms; fight or flight, to help us stay safe in the face of danger. As long as we can either fight or run away (literally or in our heads) we are likely to survive and adrenaline works to fuel our motivation to be safe. However, when we are helpless in the face of danger (can’t fight) or there is nowhere to run, fear can be debilitating; it can numb our responses, fog our judgment and generally lower both our physical and psychological immune systems. When this process is prolonged without a solution or relief in sight (COVID, fires), the results can range from hopelessness to aggression; from depression to rage because the fear of loss, real or anticipated, is all consuming. Children are most vulnerable as their need to belong and feel safe is most important. It is from this ‘feeling’ of being safe and loved that they grow, take risks and flourish. But it is also from this place that they are motivated to control or even ‘fix’ some part of their environment, as they grow, rather than give in to being victims of the changes.

Fractals are everywhere in nature. A fractal is a rough or fragmented geometric space that can be split into parts -or neighborhoods each of which is a reduced-size copy of the whole; it’s a never ending pattern, infinitely complex, that repeats forever. Every part of a fractal, if we zoom in or out, looks like the whole. The property is called self-similarity. Visualize the structure of a bunch of broccoli or a head of cauliflower and you’ll get the idea. Likewise think of a snowflake, tree branches, clouds and so on. The image of the fractal provides a helpful metaphor for envisioning the culture of a healthy school, in which each “part” of the institution (leadership, institutional dynamics, the teaching and learning experience, operational patterns, student leadership/initiative) is “self-similar” and reflective of the other and of the whole, in that they embody and express the fundamental values and beliefs of the learning community.

Schools, like homes, are microcosms of the world. Nurturing a sense of belonging and safety within the school walls is important so that students can focus on learning and growing. At ACS Athens, 60+ different nationalities come together under one ‘roof’; with a common philosophy, vision, and common values. Considering that our school is a living organism; constantly changing, evolving and developing and considering that so many differences come together under an American philosophy of education, principles and values, it is not necessarily educating students that is the most challenging; it is continuously developing this sense of belonging and safety so that students can take advantage of the learning and can be initiators and navigators of positive change.

I envision the school as a professional learning community that models and promotes in every “part” of the institution a harmonious, meaningful and holistic approach to teaching and learning that puts the student at the center of his/her own learning and at the center of all institutional decision-making. It is a natural state from which growth is possible and potentially optimal. Yet, no matter how natural, we must continuously strive to achieve it and to maintain a balance of developing knowledge, skill and conscious citizenship, so that each part of the institution reflects the whole, much like a fractal.

Nature knows no right or wrong; it seeks balance. When we, humans, interfere with natural processes, it will find a way to restore balance. To us humans this can be devastating; fires, floods, extinction of species, introduction of new species and more. Developing mindsets of harmonious living with the very home that provides safety, belonging, and resources for survival is the best way to ensure a balance in Nature while cultivating a balance within each individual so that both grow and flourish to support one another. This nurturing of conscious citizenship within schools develops individuals that grow to reflect the whole, much like a fractal, and can tend to a sustainable planet.

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