This has been Tinkuy’s most peaceful, learner-driven year yet. No dramatic exits. No dragged-on conflicts. Difficulties, yes. Challenges, sure. But above all, joyful, focused growth and a strong culture of trust and respect. Our families have stepped in as true partners, and our guides have leaned courageously into the Acton philosophy: trusting children, letting them own their learning.
This new session arrived with a wave of change. Our older Pumas moved to a different Studio, and with that shift, Discovery took on a new shape. We are now a younger tribe, full of curiosity, playful energy and facing challenges that look different from those of past sessions. Every stage brings its own rhythm and this one invited us to slow down, observe and think.
As part of our natural desire to know, understand, or figure out something new—or to make sense of a particular phenomenon—curiosity comes up as a key word. It can be “cultivated” and can grow over time. This word—curiosity—has a real impact on how we learn and how we remember what we’ve learned, whether it’s in school, at home, or out in the community. Curiosity is something that’s often seen as innate in childhood—it leads to questions, wonder, and that spark of excitement when something suddenly makes sense. Yet, as adults, we’re also invited to keep observing and, above all, to let ourselves be amazed by the things that spark our curiosity.
The Art of War made me see strategy in a completely different way. Before reading it, I thought strategy was only for military leaders or people in politics. I didn’t realize how much it could apply to everyday life, like preparing for a pitch, solving a problem, or even deciding how to respond when something goes wrong.
These days, the air in the Studio feels different. Some Pumas will soon continue their journey in a new Studio, with new adventures, challenges, and opportunities to grow. For those who remain, something big is also happening. They will become the older ones in the tribe, the ones others look up to, the ones who set the tone for what Discovery feels like, as younger Pumas from the lower studio, Spark, will also join, ready to discover what it means to be part of this Studio.
One afternoon during flow time, the girls from Ascend (middle school) came into the studio, talking with concern. They had seen a younger girl in Discovery (elementary) trip another, who almost fell. It wasn’t the first time, they said. They had also seen her hair being pulled and heard teasing. And the girl took it as a joke, but laugh uncomfortably. “It didn’t sound real,” they noted. “She looked uneasy, like she didn’t know how to set limits.” From here on, a powerful collective learning process developed.
This session, the Studio Spark has been diving into the world of Marine Science. Through this quest, the Pumas are exploring coral reefs, marine life, and the big environmental challenges that impact these amazing habitats.
Today, I want to share some of the reflections and hypotheses that have emerged over these weeks: thoughts about the sea, marine life, and how we can take care of our oceans.
At Tinkuy, families soon discover it’s not just their children who are on a Hero’s Journey. Mapaches, too, are invited to grow: to question, to listen deeply, and to hold space for each other. It isn’t always easy… at times it’s even frustrating, but over time it becomes a gift. Parents realize they are not alone, that others have lived the same doubts and fears, and that the community itself is a place to keep learning, to commit, and to reach new horizons alongside their Pumas.
A few weeks ago, a Puma found the courage to share with me: “sometimes playing with a close friend feels too rough, and not always fun”. He added, “I think I’ve seen other Pumas feeling uncomfortable too.” When I asked what he wanted to do with this situation, we agreed on having a Peace Table, a space in Tinkuy where Pumas reflect on what didn’t feel good, listen to one another, and create agreements. It was such a powerful experience.
The Discovery Pumas have taken on the mission of mentoring the Spark Pumas through games and challenges that help them earn their badges. This process has been fascinating: an opportunity to connect, share social skills, and grow in leadership. Let me share something that happened this week: what began as a tense moment, was transformed into a sequence of courageous and even heroic actions.
On Tuesday I had our regular meeting with the Mapache leaders: ten moms and dads who generously give their time to serve the community, to walk alongside and encourage other Mapaches on their own journey, and to help me in the mission of supporting and equipping all our families.
The question I brought to the table was simple: What do you appreciate about Family Day, and how could we make the experience even better? The answers I got were much deeper than I expected.
We were taught that failure is something to avoid. We sense it coming and push it away. But… What if failure were actually a direct path to strength, confidence, and resilience? As counterintuitive as it may seem, letting a learner make mistakes does not mean giving up, neglecting, or being disinterested. When done intentionally, it can become a profound act of trust: the certainty that they are capable, and therefore, the conscious choice to step back so they can find their own way to success.
“Like Maria Montessori, we believe even the youngest child has important work to do, and while we might observe them reading a book, dressing up for a play, drawing a favorite animal, or engaged in loose parts play, a much deeper, core sense of self is being developed every time a child accomplishes something they set out to do. This engagement in purposeful activity, guided by the inner desire of a Spark hero, is at the core of the hero’s journey and an Acton Spark Studio.”
At Tinkuy Marka, transitions between studios mark important milestones, but they’re not the end of a journey. The bonds Pumas form with their former tribe often remain strong, showing up in surprise visits, shared advice, and quiet moments of encouragement. As they step into new roles, many become mentors, guiding others with empathy, wisdom, and the excitement of growth. One conversation recently caught my attention…
Every session in Ascend brings three key threads: a hands-on Quest, a writing Genre, and a Civilization topic for Socratic discussion. This time, the Pumas took a deep dive into ancient Greece, wrestling with timeless questions about democracy, power, justice, and truth.
They didn’t just study history. They lived it.
Through debates, myth-making, and a reenactment of Socrates’ trial, they explored the tensions between order and freedom, progress and control, the weight of moral choices, and what it truly means to be a hero.
