OUR FOUNDER
“Everyone is a genius, but if you judge a fish by his ability to climb a tree he will live his whole life feeling stupid”
Albert Einstein
Hi! My name is Shelly, and I am the founder of the multidisciplinary supportive program that is, Brookstone Academy! Brookstone is the realization of a lifelong wish to create a space where all kids can receive individualized support, feel accepted, cared for, and empowered to be themselves, discover their strengths, and build the confidence to become the innovators, creators, and leaders they are capable of being.
As a bright but sensitive learner with a TON of energy, I struggled through my own education, often feeling far more capable than I could demonstrate and like I didn’t quite fit anywhere. Flash forward 30 years—I earned my university degree with honours and a Masters in Education by learning to leverage my strengths, and I’ve enjoyed a successful career as an innovative educator and administrator. But as a mother of a bright young child navigating the conventional system in much the same way I did—even with wonderful teachers—it finally felt like the right time to bring this program, which had lived in my head for years, into action.
As Einstein said, "Education is not the learning of facts but the training of the mind to think." True thinking—developing integrated understanding and the ability to use knowledge intelligently—is a dynamic process that requires compassionate communication, active and confident participation from both learners and facilitators, in an environment that encourages creative and independent thought, respectful dissent, and healthy debate. Consequently, we have also found that it is essential to support nervous system regulation, social-emotional learning, and mental health and wellness to create the optimal conditions for learning and personal growth. These practices help learners feel safe, balanced, and ready to engage fully, intellectually and emotionally.
The Brookstone program draws on the work of leading thinkers in learning, social-emotional growth, mental health and well-being, combined with my own training and 20 years of experience in both public and private education systems, as a teacher, vice-principal and counselor. It represents the best neuro-friendly strategies and philosophies for supporting diverse learners. Around the world, education systems are evolving in similar ways to better meet the needs of a new generation of learners. Today’s learners face a very different world than previous generations, and Brookstone aims to give them the foundation and tools they need to reach their potential, thrive in high school and beyond, and succeed in life.
Please feel free to reach out anytime to learn more about our program, how we support learners, or to book a visit. Come see what your child can achieve!
Sincerely,
Shelly Long-Bokma
Master of Education, Hons BA, OCT
*From https://in.one.un.org/education-is-not-the-learning-of-facts-but-the-training-of-minds-to-think/#:~:text=Albert%20Einstein%20during%20his%20visit,a%20school%20or%20college%20education.