Making Living Wisdom School a Special Place to Be

Interview with Koda

By Santoshi Kendall

Often some of the school’s best friends and supporters are the parents of the students; in this issue we would like to highlight one of our parents and neighbors, Koda Sun. His older boy Jahsa attended a number of years back; his younger son Jaiya began with us in the 2nd grade and is now in 10th grade.

One of the things Koda mentioned in his interview was that he likes to be around high energy people and clearly that is because he is a high energy person himself. One of the principles we work to teach our students is that it is more fun putting out a lot of energy than it is to lay back and do as little as possible. Koda is a great role model for that. At our annual work day that usually ends at 1 PM, Koda is never finished until the job is done. I remember one year his energy kept a whole crew going until 4 PM to get the grounds looking their best.

Another way that Koda puts out his energy is on our many service adventures. Often these are to 3rd world countries and areas where the boys need to rough it. Never a slacker he is always out there modeling how to make it work, how to move the energy.

And finally I must include here his generosity. Koda is the kind of thoughtful parent who notices when the school’s resources are going to be pushed to the limit, and offers to throw in a little extra. There are things that would not have happened at the school if it weren’t for friends like Koda.

Read the complete interview, telling what Koda and his sons have gotten out of participating at LWS:

Koda is the father of Jahsa and Jaiya Star. Jahsa attended Living Wisdom School (LWS) several years ago. Jaiya is currently in the 10th grade and has been attending our school since the 2nd grade. They live nearby on San Juan Ridge.

Koda, How did you find out about the Ananda School?

About 25 years ago my wife, Summer, and I made friends with the Ananda people who were working and running Earthsong, Ananda's health food store and café. Later when we moved to the San Juan Ridge, we kept up many of those friendships and, through them, became interested in the unique methods of education that Ananda offers.

What prompted you to enroll Jahsa?

We had been homeschooling the boys but wanted more for them. As we looked into the school at Ananda both of us were struck by the well rounded approach it offered. I particularly like the balance between academics, outdoor activities, athletics, and the high minded focus. I understand why people send their kids here from all over the world. The faculty has been awesome too, and I like how each year so much thought goes into how to group the different grade levels, and matching the teachers who will be the best support to each child.

Why have you continued to support the school so strongly?

Because the school has supported me so strongly. It has been a great gift to have a place where my kids feel like home, and I feel like home too.

Are there things that Jahsa and Jaiya have gotten out of their experience that are important to you?

Definitely. To name just a few: Narani's home-like gentle mothering, Balarama's outdoor activities;
Irene's concern for each child, Hridaya's care and the trust that she has built with the girls, and most
recently Nitai's steadfast guidance and support. Also, the different mentors for the boys have added their unique flavor. The boys always have expressed to me the bond they felt with each one of them.

You have gone on a number of the camping and adventure/service trips. What has that meant to you and your boys?

The more local trips to Yosemite, Point Reyes, the Buttes, the Redwoods, skiing, to name a few - have been very nurturing for us all. And the longer ones to Peru and Mexico have been extremely helpful too - just boys and men together, I've loved it. I feel like I have received as much as I have given and that is a good feeling. For my boys, I've seen them grow so much during each trip. They learn how to live together, how to appreciate nature and people of different social, economic, strata and different ethnicities. I don't know of any school that puts so much energy into each child, and these adventure trips have been an important part in forming the great souls I know them to be. I also really appreciate the service focus that the school has. It's great to see how each project takes on meaning for them.

What have been some of your various volunteer positions?

I’ve helped build the new Living Wisdom Center, taught Spanish, and been involved a great deal with gardening projects which have all been great. The kids really liked the liveliness of the Spanish classes. I would get them talking and repeating phrases right away which helped them have confidence in their ability to speak another language. And I enjoy the opportunity to meet high energy people on all these kinds of jobs.

The whole Ananda school experience has been wonderful for me and my boys. I can hardly do justice to describe what my boys have gotten out of being under the care of the many people in this school. Thank you all so much.