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Love. Learn. Lead. E4CS – ‘The Island’ as the Classroom: An East Bay Experience

Feeling - Thinking - Willing. Cultivating the Whole Child. Waldorf-Inspired education allows for Creatives to “imbue the power of imagination” and manifest joy. EnCompass Four Corners School (E4CS) launched Fall 2022 with a crew of Class 3 through Class 5 CREATIVES as an independent, intersectional, Waldorf-inspired Micro-School and Micro-Camp.

We are elated to announce our E4CS After-School program will launch September 2024. Also E4CS Vacation Camp will commence in November 2024. Check us out!

waldorf education school in Alameda, CA

Who We Are - EnCompass Four Corners School

Our Roles & Responsibilities

feeling thinking willing Waldorf principles

Feeling.

Thinking.

Willing.

Faculty, Family & Students

Head of Cultivation/CEO – Monique F. Brinson, M.S.

Monique's Bio

Cultivators – Instructors/Staff

View Staff

Caregivers – Family Members
Creatives – Students
Crew/s – Class Level/s: Fire (1-2), Water (3-4), Earth (5-6), Air (7-8)

Community Partners

Contributors

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Design Team/Advisory Board

The Circle

View Team & Board
Caregiver Advisory Council

The Council

View Caregiver Advisory Council
Waldorf school story Alameda, CA

Evolution (Our Story)

Designed by Cultivators, Contributors, Creatives, and Caregivers, EnCompass Four Corners School (E4CS) grew from “the pandemic” teaching us all that a new way of teaching and learning is possible. Intersectional and expeditionary learning that is familial and micro; where the island of Alameda serves as an extension of the classroom- ‘The Schoolhouse’ is not the container.

Alameda, CA Waldorf school

Inspiration (Our Vision)

EnCompass Four Corners Micro-School will honor, acknowledge, and encompass the mind, body, emotions, and spirit of the whole child.  Our vision of an educated child is one who achieves excellence in standards for developing an active, reflective, and disciplined mind; a healthy and physically-fit body; a centered spirit; and just, caring, and courageous self-conduct.  We will teach our students to uphold the power and responsibility of belonging to a Life spiral that starts with Self, is guided by Family, connected to Community, and is rooted in Ancestors and ancestral heritage.

Inspiration (continued)
Waldorf school mission

Intention (Our Mission)

We believe that all children are good and deserve guidance to make appropriate choices. All children can do important and powerful things when given the opportunity to fully develop within the rhythm of the learning day.

Intention (continued)
EnCompass 4 Corners Waldorf School

Our Name: EnCompass Four Corners

“EnCompass”: The word “encompass” means to encircle, surround, include.  The school name and spelling of “EnCompass” is a play on the word “compass” to capture our emphasis on nurturing children to develop, strengthen, and clarify their internal compass. 

Our Name (continued)

Rising in Action: Play. Explore. Learn. Create. Love. Heal. Lead.



CREATIVES’ DAILY RHYTHM:

  • MINDFUL MOVEMENT & MORNING COMMUNITY CIRCLE

  • ESSENTIAL STUDIES: Literacy, Math, & Science

  • REFRESHMENT & MINDFUL MOVEMENT

  • INQUIRY & EXPLORATORY STUDIES

  • REFUEL & ACTIVATE

  • FIELD STUDIES

  • INTEGRATED & EXPRESSIVE ARTS

  • MINDFUL MOVEMENT & CLOSING COMMUNITY CIRCLE



CREATIVE’S INDEPENDENT ACTUALIZATION PLAN:

  • Student’s follow their learning interest and conduct research on area(s) of passion

  • Each student presents ‘learning artifacts’ to showcase and discuss

  • Students check-in with Cultivator/s for ‘goal & guidance’ retooling

  • Daily “Snapshots” and Weekly “Spotlights” highlight learning gleaned

Creatives Weekly Rhythm

creatives weekly rhythm 24-25 Alameda Waldorf
2024 2025 school calendar
View Weekly Rhythm PDF
View 24/25 Calendar PDF
View Grades 1-3 PDF
View Grades 4-6 PDF
View Weekly Rhythm PDF
View 24/25 Calendar PDF
View Grades 1-3 PDF
View Grades 4-6 PDF

E4C After-School Program: The Opportunity

The E4C After-School Coordinator, Yilin “Max” Zhang will be primarily responsible for the day-to-day operations of the After-School Program (ASP) and supervised by Monique Brinson, M.S. from Monday-Thursday: Monday-Tuesday 2:00-6:00 pm, Wednesday 12:00-6:00 pm, and Thursday-Friday 2:00-6:00 pm for Grade One through Grade Five (Elementary).  The Weekly Schedule includes Waldorf-inspired Art Block, Movement (Indoor/Outdoor activities and games), homework help and completion, and Chinese (Mandarin)/Spanish along with cultural arts. Daily School Pick-up is included in the cost. E4C After-School Program is co-located at the USA Kung Fu Studio in Alameda at 1828 Park Street. E4C is a USA Kung Fu Studio service provider for students in grades 1st-5th from the Alameda Unified  Elementary School District (AUSD).

after school schedule 24-25

E4C Summer Camp/Vacation Camp

Week 1:

Tinkering School @ SF Brightworks, plus prime seating at the Alameda 4th of July Parade, followed by walking field trip to explore this beautiful beach town.

Tinkering School, founded in 2005 by Gever Tulley: Camper Creatives learn by doing, using real tools to solve real problems. With wood, metal, cardboard, and often paint, children work to team-design and team-create hands-on projects.

Week 2:

Table Tennis with Coach Johnny @ Alameda Ping Pong Gym (APPG)

Campers experience 1/2 Day 9:00-12:00 pm with Table Tennis Coach Johnny and team learning and playing the game of Table Tennis. All playing levels are welcomed and Camper Creatives are encouraged to begin and stretch where they are.  The other 1/2 day will be in integrated field trips with Head Cultivator Monique Brinson.

Week 3:

NatureScape with Coach Emily 

NatureScape will include a water series of paddle boarding, kayaking, and water rafting. Coach Emily will design the adventures based on needs/abilities of Campers Creatives and weather conditions.  This full-day camp provides safety skills in multiple disciplines to experience nature and in a nature-based environment.

Week 4:

Waldorf Essentials Art Block 1 with Ms. Barbara & Capoeira with Mestre Kenny

Waldorf Essentials series, taught by Ms. Barbara. Practical arts teaches fine motor development, creativity, a deeper understanding of the world around us, and allows our Camper Creatives to imagine how things could be. Using watercolors, clay, beeswax, yarn for knitting and crocheting, and other natural materials in an unfolding of beauty.

Mestre Pitts is a beloved and respected martial artist and founder of the Black-owned Pitts Martial Arts Academy (PMAA), now in Berkeley. He is a master teacher of Capoeira and a member of the Capoeira Besouro “family”. He is truly dedicated to his martial arts craft and to his students by teaching children to “play” Capoeira. He is gifted in training, especially students with diverse needs. Mestre Pitts has deep-rooted ties to the Bay Area.  Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial arts that is a symphony of self-defense, dance, and music.

Week 5:

Waldorf Essentials Art Block 2 with Ms. Barbara & Kung Fu with Sifu Sunny

Waldorf Essentials series taught by Ms. Barbara extends the learning for Block 1, she meets Camper Creatives where they are, building from prior knowledge and experiences. Campers continue work on build on prerequisite skills from Block 1. However, new campers are also welcome to join this series.

Sifu Sunny is a co-owner of US Shaolin Kung Fu, truly a gem in the Bay Area who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of learning martial arts as a young child and training as an adult in China. He teaches Kung Fu to children locally, with studios in Oakland and San Leandro. E4C Campers will have the experience and opportunity to learn the principles of Chinese martial arts while having fun. The heart of Sifu Sunny is his passion to teach the discipline, art, and beauty of Kung Fu, and his commitment to his students’ growth and development-mind, body, spirit.

Monique Brinson, Alameda Waldorf school

Monique F. Brinson, M.S.

Founding Head of Cultivation/CEO
EnCompass Four Corners School (E4CS)

Email: monique@encompass4corners.org
info@encompass4corners.org
Mobile: (510) 735-1501

About the Founding Head of Cultivation/CEO

Monique Brinson is the Founding Head of Cultivation/CEO of EnCompass Four Corners School, Camp, Institute, & Center.  A lifelong learner committed to world-class education, she is also a graduate student at Harvard University.  Her first Masters in education was in teaching, from Boston University-Wheelock College of Education and Human Development.  She majored in Sociology and minored in Black Studies at Boston College. Most of her 10 years in teaching was as a founding teacher at one of Boston’s Public Schools’ first K-8 pilot schools.  Her award-winning teaching was featured and studied by researchers at Columbia, Harvard, and Brown Universities.  She has 20 years of experience as an urban and suburban school administrator in Boston, Massachusetts and in Oakland, Santa Monica, and Pleasant Hill, California in systems ranging from large school districts, to charter, and most recently, a small independent school.  She received her Waldorf training from the Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training (BACWTT), and from the Mills College Graduate School of Education.

About the Founder (continued)

Testimonials

“

Ms. Monique Brinson has developed a curriculum which combines elements from anthroposophical - Waldorf education with more common didactical methods for a small classroom. This environment allows Ms. Brinson and her dedicated teachers pay close attention to - and address each of their students' individual educational needs with compassion and patience.

Lidia & FelixArchitect, Dipl. Ing.
“

The environment at E4C is built on a foundation of love, curiosity, and acceptance, and our son is now thriving intellectually, physically, and in his relationship to others. We are endlessly grateful to Ms. Monique and the Encompass Four Corners community for sparking and fueling our son's joy of learning.

David & Jenny
“

T (our son) appreciates that he can be himself at school. As a parent, I see this as one of the most important experiences and models for a person to have in their lives — especially for developing children. And especially when there are pressures in the greater society to conform or otherwise try to be something we are not.

3rd Year E4CS Caregiver
More Testimonials

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E4C Camp Testimonials

My son Alvin enjoyed the President’s Week camp at Encompass Four Corners (E4C) in Alameda.  He liked the camp so much that he wanted to wake up early every morning to go to the camp. Every afternoon, he came home excited with interesting stories.

The camp is unique in its vision and activities that focuses on the development of a child’s independence, mindfulness, creativity and a sense of community in a micro-environment.  Students started the day with a community morning circle, meditation and exercise, then engineering or art projects and outdoor activities, and then ended with a closing circle.   Alvin really loved the daily outdoor activities and field trips that allowed him to explore the world outside of the classroom.  The students went to Lincoln Park, Crab Cove, rock climbing in Homeschool Rocks, and the Chabot Space & Science Center.  Alvin also enjoyed playing with his friend An in the class and building electronic motor pieces and a motorized car.

The E4C activities were thoughtfully designed to integrate a topic into various learning activities.  For example, kids learned about Frida Kahlo, then they painted and then learned Spanish.  Alvin really liked that he could freely paint with his imagination.

Alvin appreciated Ms. Monique’s  enthusiasm, dedication, imagination, and humor.   She is passionate about educating the kids as a whole through innovative approaches such as the Waldorf.   She is a role model for her students. We were grateful that Alvin had the opportunity to participate in the E4C Camp.

- E4C Vacation Camp Caregiver

 

The camps at EnCompass Four Corners School have been wonderful for my 10-year old son. He is on the autism spectrum and often finds it difficult to try something new, but Ms. Brinson and her team are able to engage him on topics outside his usual comfort zone.

At the last E4C Camp, he was in, he was able to participate in an art project and capoeira but also do preferred activities like reading. He seemed to genuinely enjoy himself, and this has been one of the only activities I’ve been able to get him to do without my direct involvement. I am very impressed with Ms. Brinson’s patience and kindness, and her abilities to approach my sensitive child in ways that help him work on his flexibility.

- Charlise, Parent

 

Our 10 year old daughter had the opportunity to try out three days of camp with Miss Monique, Miss Barbara, Mestre Kenny, and Sifu Sunny this summer.  Every minute of the experience was magical for her and for us. The amount of intention and care put into their program is palpable.  It was so exciting to see my kid lit up with creativity and possibility.  I watched how gentle encouragement, steadfast belief in her abilities, and her autonomy to decide when and how to participate allowed her to step into relationships and try new things.  As a parent I appreciated the clear communication (great photos and videos!) and the ways that the experience came home (as our daughter led art projects and taught us capoeira moves).

We had wanted to connect with these thoughtful, creative, and innovative educators for a long time.  And we are so grateful for the opportunity that presented itself.  It is clear to us that once a family and child is welcomed into the Encompass Four Corners school you are always a part of this beautiful community.

- Andrea Lee, Parent

Testimonials (Continued)

Encompass Four Corners School in Alameda welcomed our almost nine year old 3rd grader with the warmth of a family. Ms. Monique Brinson has developed a curriculum which combines elements from anthroposophical- Waldorf education with more common didactical methods for a small classroom. This environment allows Ms. Brinson and her dedicated teachers pay close attention to -and address each of their students' individual educational needs with compassion and patience.

At Encompass Four Corners, Art, music and physical education are taken seriously and have an important place in the curriculum in addition to the common core oriented reading, writing and math topics. After changing to Encompass Four Corners in Jan. 2024, our son began regaining trust in his teachers and his self confidence grew. As parents, we felt to be part of the curriculum and learned more about how to address his specific needs. It is a journey and we highly recommend Encompass Four Corners school and its encouraging path to learning, understanding and fostering the growth of the entire human.

-Lidia & Felix, Architect, Dipl. Ing.

 

Two years ago, our son was in the local elementary school that, while full of well-intentioned folks, was not an environment he was thriving in. Every day seemed like a struggle with the large class sizes, strict routines, and linear curriculum. One day after Kung Fu class, we met Ms. Monique and instantly felt a fit. The environment at E4C is built on a foundation of love, curiosity, and acceptance, and our son is now thriving intellectually, physically, and in his relationship to others. We are endlessly grateful to Ms. Monique and the Encompass Four Corners community for sparking and fueling our son's joy of learning.

-David & Jenny

 

I could honestly write a book on EnCompass Four Corners School, Monique Brinson, and what our school family means to my son, my husband, and me. Our son T is about to turn 11 this Spring. T has already been on a long journey to find what he needs in an educational environment. From the start of Kindergarten in the Fall of 2017 up until the Fall of 2022 (when we first heard about E4CS), T attended 7 different elementary schools in two different states. EnCompass Four Corners is school #8 and it is the only school that has been a fit for him academically, socially, emotionally and culturally. Most importantly — to him and to me — he truly loves and is proud of his school.

Most conventional schools are not set up to cultivate these relationships and simultaneously provide structure, freedom, self knowledge, self expression, world awareness and agency. Through the school she founded, Monique Brinson does all that for my child and much more.  When I interact with the children and Ms. Monique here is what I consistently see in words and deeds: “Be your true, full self while taking care of those around you.” 

There are other reasons why EnCompass Four Corners is important to us. T likes being outside and physically active and interacting with people in our city. He likes that there is flexibility during the school day and that he has input on what activities they do. Most of all, T appreciates that he can be himself at school. As a parent, I see this as one of the most important experiences and models for a person to have in their lives — especially for developing children. And especially when there are pressures in the greater society to conform or otherwise try to be something we are not.

Monique Brinson intentionally lives this way for herself everyday and the children receive and reciprocate. They each express themselves fully, explore courageously while caring for each other. And when I say leadership I mean the active, thoughtful, empowering kind. The kind that is based on fierce, unwavering love for and belief in the other human beings we are in relationship with. I see Monique Brinson loving my child and believing in him. He feels that love and I feel it too. 

-3rd Year E4CS Caregiver

Guiding Principles (Continued)

Our learning community fosters:

  • Learning that is purposeful, joyful, and connected to the real world
  • Students using knowledge from their Histories, Elders, and Ancestors
  • Social Emotional Intelligence that promotes Peace, Justice, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, & Courage
  • Pride and honor in each person’s intersectionality- Identity, Culture, and Language
  • A Commitment to Social and Community Responsibility
  • Strong and caring relationships between Creatives, Caregivers, and Cultivators
  • Caregivers Health and Wellness that supports our Creatives to grow to their fullest potential

Our Name (Continued)

Children’s (CREATIVES’s)  innate curiosity to learn and explore and their desire to do the “right thing” are examples of how an internal compass can help guide Creatives toward excellence and social emotional intelligence, expectations and awareness.  This internal compass will point Creatives in the four (4) directions/expressions of Personal Power: the Power of Knowledge to create/recall/discern information throughout life; the Power of Courage to pull forth the will to make difficult decisions, the Power of Compassionate Right Action to act upon them, and the Power of Stillness to pause for rest, reflection, and responses to mistakes and to things that are beyond their control. Through Stillness, time can enable the process for renewal: to become new, fresh, and strong again in mind, body, spirit, and emotions.   The program is developed around the EnCompass Life Spiral elements of: the cultivation of Self, the guidance and support of Familial networks, the engagement with Communities, and the rootedness in Ancestors and ancestral heritage.   

“Four Corners”: This four-pronged institutional approach serves as a Micro School, a Camp, a Leadership Institute, and a Wellness Center.  The ‘Four Corners’ also recognizes the stories, knowledge, cultures, and languages steeped in global and universal wisdoms from the ‘four corners of the world’.

About the Founder (Continued)

Ms. Brinson believes in the importance of having a global and growth mindset. In 2019, she was invited to present at the “Waldorf100 – Love the World” Centennial Celebration in Berlin, Germany, to help establish the vision for the next 100 years of Waldorf education.  She was featured in the film, “Waldorf100: Learn to Change the World Part 2“.   She completed her Certificate for International Leadership and Tier II Administrative Services Credential in Chiang Mai, Thailand. To develop Spanish and deepen cultural understanding of students and families, Ms. Brinson studied at Cetlalic, a progressive Spanish language school in Cuernavaca, Mexico.  She is a member of the Capoeira Besouro family, and has traveled to Drakensberg, South Africa with the international Yang’s Martial Arts Association’s U.S.A.  She is working towards a 2nd Degree Black Belt from USA Kung Fu Studio in Alameda, CA.  Ms. Brinson has an infectious love and passion for learning and looks forward to getting to know you and your “Creative”!  She is equally passionate about cultivating the heart, head, hand learning and leadership for the soul.

Intention (Continued)

Our learning community fosters:

  • Learning that is purposeful, joyful, and connected to the real world
  • Students using knowledge from their Histories, Elders, and Ancestors 
  • Social Emotional Intelligence that promotes Peace, Justice, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, & Courage
  • Pride and honor in each person’s intersectionality- Identity, Culture, and Language 
  • A Commitment to Social and Community Responsibility 
  • Strong and caring relationships between Creatives, Caregivers, and Cultivators
  • Caregivers Health and Wellness that supports our Creatives to grow to their fullest potential

Inspiration (Continued)

The word “encompass” means to encircle, surround, include.  The school name and spelling of “EnCompass” is a play on the word “compass” to capture our emphasis on nurturing children to develop, strengthen, and clarify their internal compass.  Children’s (CREATIVES’s)  innate curiosity to learn and explore and their desire to do the “right thing” are examples of how an internal compass can help guide Creatives toward excellence and social emotional intelligence, expectations and awareness.  This internal compass will point Creatives in the four (4) directions/expressions of Personal Power: the Power of Knowledge to create/recall/discern information throughout life; the Power of Courage to pull forth the will to make difficult decisions, the Power of Compassionate Right Action to act upon them, and the Power of Stillness to pause for rest, reflection, and responses to mistakes and to things that are beyond their control. Through Stillness, time can enable the process for renewal: to become new, fresh, and strong again in mind, body, spirit, and emotions.   The program is developed around the EnCompass Life Spiral elements of: the cultivation of Self, the guidance and support of Familial networks, the engagement with Communities, and the rootedness in Ancestors and ancestral heritage.   Creatives, Caregivers, and Community’s well-being are all connected and critical to each youth’s life success.

Caregiver Advisory Council

Monifa Kelly
Jenny Drummond
Padmini Nagaraj

Community Partners

USA Kung Fu Studio (Co-location/Shared Site)

EnCompass Academy (OUSD)

SF Brightworks/Tinkering School

Anawakalmekak

Alameda Mastick Senior Center

TayloredFit Solutions

Pitts Martial Arts Academy (Capoeira) 

U.S Shaolin Kung Fu

Three Spring Community Farm

Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove

REAP Climate Center

Rhythmix Cultural Works

CalPerformance 

Lawerence Hall of Science

UC Berkeley Botanical Center

Chabot Space and Science Center

Oakland Zoo

Oakland Museum of California

Occidental College

University of Southern California (USC)

Design Team & Advisory Board

Minh-TrâmNguyễn, Ed.M.,Co-Founder/EnCompass Academy, Founding Principal 

Amber Valdez, EdD, Senior Associate, WestED

Jora Trang, JD, Chief of Staff & Equity, Worksafe

Oscar Miranda, MA, Instructor, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory

Shahidah Kalam Id-Din, Ed.M., Founder/Lead Education Consultant, All Kids Can Learn, LLC

Parker Thomas, MBA, Chief Product Officer,  Founder, Tego Adventure Kits, Co-Founder, Josu & Climate Changemakers

Cultivators – Instructors/Staff

Yilin Max Zhang (Coach Max)- After-School Coordinator

Amelia Rico (Maestra Amelia)- World Language: Spanish

Kenneth Pitts (Mestre Kenny)- Capoeira/Music

Emily Taylor (Coach Emily)- NatureScape Lead: Hiking/Bouldering/Kayaking/Paddleboarding/Rock Climbing

Sunny Guo (Sifu Sunny)- Kung Fu/Mandarin 

Barbara Weiler (Ms. Barbara)- Practical Arts: Handwork/Music

Monique F. Brinson, M.S.

Founding Head of Cultivation/CEO
EnCompass Four Corners School (E4CS)

Email: monique@encompass4corners.org
info@encompass4corners.org
Mobile: (510) 735-1501

Monique Brinson is the Founding Head of Cultivation/CEO of EnCompass Four Corners School, Camp, Institute, & Center.  A lifelong learner committed to world-class education, she is also a graduate student at Harvard University.  Her first Masters in education was in teaching, from Boston University-Wheelock College of Education and Human Development.  She majored in Sociology and minored in Black Studies at Boston College. Most of her 10 years in teaching was as a founding teacher at one of Boston’s Public Schools’ first K-8 pilot schools.  Her award-winning teaching was featured and studied by researchers at Columbia, Harvard, and Brown Universities.  She has 20 years of experience as an urban and suburban school administrator in Boston, Massachusetts and in Oakland, Santa Monica, and Pleasant Hill, California in systems ranging from large school districts, to charter, and most recently, a small independent school.  She received her Waldorf training from the Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training (BACWTT), and from the Mills College Graduate School of Education.

Ms. Brinson believes in the importance of having a global and growth mindset. In 2019, she was invited to present at the “Waldorf100- Love the World” Centennial Celebration in Berlin, Germany, to help establish the vision for the next 100 years of Waldorf education.  She was featured in the film, "Waldorf100: Learn to Change the World Part 2".   She completed her Certificate for International Leadership and Tier II Administrative Services Credential in Chiang Mai, Thailand. To develop Spanish and deepen cultural understanding of students and families, Ms. Brinson studied at Cetlalic, a progressive Spanish language school in Cuernavaca, Mexico.  She is a member of the Capoeira Besouro family, and has traveled to Drakensberg, South Africa with the international Yang’s Martial Arts Association’s U.S.A.  She is working towards a 2nd Degree Black Belt from USA Kung Fu Studio in Alameda, CA.  Ms. Brinson has an infectious love and passion for learning and looks forward to getting to know you and your “Creative”!  She is equally passionate about cultivating the heart, head, hand learning and leadership for the soul.