MUSE – “Caring for the planet is always in fashion”
MUSE, founded by Suzy Amis Cameron and her sister, Rebecca Amis, is a non-profit, educational organization in Topanga, California, dedicated to empowering children to realize the full potential of their lives through academic excellence, personal responsibility, compassionate relations, global consciousness and environmental action. This philosophy is brought to life through MUSE Elementary School and MUSE Global.
On a magical 22-acre campus in Topanga Canyon, California, children from across the socio-economic spectrum come together at MUSE Elementary, a progressive, independent, non-profit school presently offering early childhood education through 5th grade. Here, young minds are stimulated through experienced-based learning, bodies are nurtured with fresh organic foods, individuality and connectedness and an honor for all living things, including the planet, is cultivated daily.
Our curriculum begins with the highest levels of state and national academic standards and continues with science, math, history, reading, writing, languages, critical thinking, the arts, physical education, global and environmental awareness, organic gardening, composting, conflict resolution and hands-on media literacy.
We know that the experience of curiosity and discovery energize – opening the eyes, ears, heart and mind – creating the ideal conditions for enthusiastic learning. At MUSE, gifted teachers construct this experience on a daily basis. Through inquiry, listening and observing, they evoke the authentic interests that animate our students and bring personal relevance to project-based learning. This not only engages our children in learning today, but models how to fully engage, in everything they do, for a lifetime.
MUSE Global, our growing international outreach program, facilitates real-world relationships, deep cultural understanding and meaningful shared projects between MUSE Elementary and students at partner schools, Mana Tamariki, in New Zealand and Good Morning School, on the Thai/Burma (Myanmar) border.
Our MUSE Global Fund enables us to provide resources to partner schools with substantial needs. In Mae Sot, Thailand, Good Morning School educates the children of migrant workers who have escaped genocide in Burma (Myanmar). For these families food, clothing, shelter, even freedom – can be daily uncertainties.
MUSE Global provides for school operations, shared curriculum and nutritious lunches for every student. We are currently working with local and international groups to buld a new school campus with proper facilities, indoor plumbing and a working farm to enable a sustainable and dignified future.
As we do this, the children of MUSE, Mana Tamariki and Good Morning School work and learn together. They share science projects, videos, languages and customs, while experiencing the cultural appreciation that brings the concept of compassionate global citizenry to life.
For more information about MUSE, please visit www.museelementary.org
