Why Solid Rock Community School Believes Emotional Intelligence Belongs in Every Classroom

Michele Fasnacht on Building Character, Confidence, and Compassion Through Education

Walk through almost any school, and you’ll see students learning math, science, history, and language arts. What you won’t always see is how they’re learning to handle disappointment, work through conflict, show empathy, or build meaningful relationships. Yet those skills often shape a person’s future just as much as academic knowledge.

Emotional intelligence has become one of the most talked-about topics in education, and for good reason. As students prepare for an increasingly connected and complex world, qualities like resilience, compassion, communication, and adaptability are becoming just as valuable as traditional academic skills.

For Michele Fasnacht, that’s never been a trend. It’s been the foundation of Solid Rock Community School since she founded the school more than 22 years ago. Her vision was to create an environment where students could excel academically while also developing the character, confidence, and compassion needed to succeed long after graduation. Through hands-on learning, personalised education, and opportunities to serve others, Solid Rock Community School has built an educational model where emotional intelligence is woven into everyday learning.

Many schools are under pressure to improve test scores and academic performance. Why do you think emotional intelligence deserves equal attention?

Academic achievement will always matter, but it isn’t the only measure of success. Every day, students are learning how to communicate, solve problems, work through challenges, and build relationships. Those skills influence every part of their lives long after they leave school. If we focus only on grades, we’re missing an opportunity to help students become resilient, compassionate, and confident adults.

Was that belief what inspired you to start Solid Rock Community School?

Yes. I wanted to create a school where students could receive a strong academic education while also growing as individuals. My goal was never simply to help students perform well in the classroom. I wanted them to develop integrity, responsibility, compassion, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in the world around them. That vision has guided our school from the very beginning.

How does Solid Rock Community School put those ideas into practice?

We believe students learn best when they’re actively involved in meaningful experiences. That’s why we’ve created opportunities that extend beyond traditional classroom learning. Students care for rescued animals at Sanctuary at Solid Rock, spend time in our Seed-to-Table Garden, participate in service projects, and develop practical skills through our SAVE vocational program. Those experiences teach responsibility, empathy, teamwork, and leadership in ways that feel natural because students are living those lessons every day.

Some people might see those programmes as extras rather than essential parts of education. Why do you see them differently?

Those experiences are part of the education. When students care for an animal, work together to solve a problem, or take responsibility for a project, they’re learning lessons that will stay with them for life. Character isn’t developed through a lecture. It’s built through consistent experiences that encourage students to care about others, take responsibility, and understand that their actions matter.

Education has changed a great deal over the past two decades. Has your philosophy changed as well?

The mission itself has stayed remarkably consistent. The world has changed, but students still need encouragement, guidance, and meaningful relationships. We’ve continued to grow and introduce new programs because we want students to have opportunities to learn in different ways, but our purpose remains the same. We want every child to be known, supported, challenged, and encouraged to become the best version of themselves.

Building a school around a different educational philosophy must have come with challenges. What has leadership taught you over the years?

Leadership has taught me that setbacks are part of every meaningful journey. You won’t always have immediate answers, and not every decision will be perfect. What’s important is staying focused on your mission, learning from those experiences, and continuing to move forward with integrity. Those challenges have strengthened my commitment to the work rather than discouraging it.

What has been the most rewarding part of leading Solid Rock Community School?

Without question, it’s watching students grow. Every child has unique strengths, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see them discover confidence in themselves while developing compassion for others. Some students arrive unsure of their abilities, and over time you watch them become leaders, problem-solvers, and young people who genuinely want to contribute to their communities. Those moments remind us why this work matters.

What advice would you give to parents looking for the right educational environment for their children?

Look beyond academics alone. Strong grades are important, but ask how a school develops character, encourages curiosity, and helps students build healthy relationships. Education should prepare children for life, not just for the next exam. When students feel supported, challenged, and valued, they’re much more likely to grow into confident adults who make positive contributions wherever they go.

Looking ahead, what continues to inspire you about the future of education?

I’m encouraged by the growing recognition that education should develop the whole person. Schools have an opportunity to shape not only what students know, but also how they think, how they treat others, and how they contribute to their communities. If we continue placing value on compassion, resilience, and emotional intelligence alongside academic excellence, we’ll prepare students for success in every area of life.