What does it take to see the world through different eyes? How can we explore our assumptions about life – and develop more nuanced insights into art, history, and current events?
If you ask Mary Ellen Jehn, Dean of the Glenridge Academy – our comprehensive, on-campus lifelong learning program – it starts with curiosity.
“A lot of us have set ideas about how the world is – a frame of reference that guides the way we think about life, whether that’s sports or politics,” she says. “But lifelong learning can inject new information into those set ideas, resulting in ‘aha’ moments or just a casual shift in thinking.”
Intellectual wellness has been woven into the fabric of our community from the get-go: Even before the first members moved in, they were already hard at work developing curricula. Since then, the Academy has grown by leaps and bounds, keeping pace with the involvement of our members.
Today, classes run the gamut from AI technology and astronomy to the histories of Tsarist Russia, Motown, and The Beatles – spanning roughly 25 to 30 courses every season. Curriculum choices are based on member interest surveys, and include classes taught by members themselves.
“One member who worked with NASA taught about exoplanets and the Webb Telescope,” Mary Ellen recalls. “Another who was a doctor and pharmaceutical researcher taught a class on cancer and is about to teach another on GLPs.”
To expand course offerings in line with member interests, the Glenridge Academy also partners with Sarasota-area lifelong learning organizations to bring experienced instructors to our campus. So whether you’re interested in “19th Century Romantic Composers” or “Digital Photography,” there’s something for everyone.
And everyone is likely to benefit. Learning plays a well-documented role in intellectual health, physical well-being, and even longevity, and Academy classes are no exception. In fact, evidence suggests that learning in a group setting can be even more beneficial for physical well-being than self-guided study.
“Learning keeps us alive – that’s the bottom line,” says Mary Ellen. “More knowledge is never a bad thing. It helps us stay engaged, gives us a reason to get up in the morning, and allows us to get more meaning out of everything we do in life.”
At The Glenridge, we and our members know there’s no age limit on learning, and the benefits last a lifetime. Across our 150-acre campus, you’ll encounter a vibrant array of member-driven programs and activities designed to support learning, achievement, happiness and health. Send us a message or give our Life Planning Team a call at 941-552-5369 to schedule your personal tour.
Or, to learn more about what life is like at The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch – once again named the best senior living community in Sarasota (for the 16th year in a row!) – visit our other blog posts or find us on Facebook.