About+Us

= About the John Muir Academy =
 * We are pleased to announce successful completion of the 18th annual John Muir Academy at the Verona High School in Verona, Wisconsin!

The John Muir Academy is part of the Wisconsin Academy Staff Development Initiative.The success of students is the goal of the John Muir Academy. This can best be achieved through in-servicing and training of their teachers that promote problem solving, development of higher level and creative thinking skills and experiential learning in math, science, technology, and other areas.

It also demonstrates an effective regional business partnership with education. The partnerships we have made and will make with Madison area businesses help enrich our participants' experiences. The tours we conduct at the business sites are geared toward helping educators and businesses work together to prepare students for the working world. We take pride in our business partnerships, who graciously open their doors to our educators in an effort to better understand the education world from their perspective.

Keeping this in mind, the Academy has been designed, planned and delivered by the John Muir Academy Board of Directors, staff, and Viterbo University. It is Standards, Assessment and Researched Based. The Academy workshops are all examples of 'Best Practices'.

= Our Background =

= About John Muir =

John Muir spent his early years on a farm near Portage at what is now the Fountain Lake Farm National Historic Landmark. Here he became an inventor, using his mechanical abilities to put science to a practical use in his farm work. During this time he began his lifelong pursuit of an education, through his reading and interactions with friends, as well as formally through his studies at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

A neighbor became his early mentor, sharing with John Muir his books as well as his experience and knowledge. It was later in his life that John Muir integrated his knowledge and experience into pursuit of his environmental vision.

When searching for a name for what is now the John Muir Academy, his name was selected not only because of his Wisconsin connection, but also because of the similarities between his education and the mission of the John Muir Academy.

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