theawakeningcommunity
Zahra Lightway of Light Way Schools
by Barbara Lynn Silberg fall as well.
I also own Blue Star Training, created to teach class man-
agement, and train adults to have positive relationships with
Zahra Lightway, of Light Way
children. To that end, in January, March and May at Leisure
Schools, is not your typical
Learning, I will also be teaching a class on Peaceful Parenting.
Long-term, we are seeking the acreage to build the first
school principal, any more than
Light Way Village of many—a self-sustaining community of
Light Way Schools is typical of
about 150 people who will live and share spiritually in the
same space. They will live in harmony with each other and
the education paradigm in
Mother Earth. If I won the lottery, land would be the first thing
Houston. She is a self-made
I’d buy.
woman, a pragmatic idealist. Barbara: Who are some of your favorite writers?
Zahra: Alfie Kohn on education, psychology and parenting;
Barbara: What makes your school unique?
Peg Tyre on social trends and education; Malcolm Gladwell
Zahra: We are developing a new model of education to meet
on sociology, psychology; A.S. Neill of the Summerhill School
the needs of modern children, the Children of Now. It is an
and Jerry Mintz on alternative
education that not only deals
education; metaphysician,
with the academic, but
Doreen Virtue; Neale Donald
addresses the physical, mental,
Walsch, of Conversations With
emotional and spiritual devel-
God fame; trance channel,
opment of each child in a non-
Barbara Marchiniak; founder of
coercive, sociocratic
The Seminary of Spiritual
environment. At the moment,
Peacemaking, James Twyman;
we serve ages eight and up, on
angel expert, Diana Cooper;
Saturday’s only. Our plan is to
productivity expert, Stephen R.
expand to pre-birth and up and
Covey; Spiritual Awareness
we are looking for a location to
expert, James Redfield;
open our full time school. Our
Emotional Intelligence expert,
intent is to re-awaken and nur-
Daniel Goleman; and social
ture the intuitive, creative side
and emotional learning and
of children.
conflict resolution, and Linda
Barbara: How did you get start-
Lantieri, among others.
ed?
Barbara: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
Zahra: In education since I was twenty-four, I taught English
Zahra: Several things. I have three maiden names, I’m a healer,
to French speakers and French to English speakers, worked in
and I’m a Lennonist—as in John Lennon, of the song:
early childhood, taught in middle school and high school.
“Imagine.” Mmmm, maybe people wouldn’t be too surprised
After working in HISD for eight years, I realized something
by the latter.
was missing. So I took off two years and did spiritual work to
Barbara: What achievement are you proudest of?
find myself.
Zahra: Having a son, and putting myself through college as a
I, then, decided to open a school that celebrates what
single mother.
children are rather than what they should be. To that end, I
Barbara: How would you like to be remembered?
earned a MEd in Education Administration from the University
Zahra: As my hero, peaceful revolutionary, Gandhi said, “Be
of St. Thomas and became a fully certified Texas principal.
the change you wish to be in the world.” I believe in change,
From October 2006 to June 2008, I served as the International
instituted not by fighting, but by not doing what you’ve been
Baccalaureate Coordinator in the Aldine School District. I
told. Bust what doesn’t serve, and build what does.
plan to continue my studies to the PhD level, getting my
Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and
Zahra keeps company with her tortoise-
Change at Fielding Graduate University.
shell cat Clio, who is smart, feisty, spiritual,
Barbara: What are your short- and long-term goals for your
and telepathic. Zahra Lightway can be
business? reached at 281-630-6055. More informa-
Zahra: Short-term: to build our Saturday program and sum- tion about Light Way Schools, at 5867
mer camp, develop an after-school program for children ages Sampley Way, can be found at
eight and up. A full-time school is in the works to open this www.LightWaySchools.org. i
12 Houston
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