MARION, NC- The mission of McDowell Early College is to provide a smaller academic environment that fosters growth and success to prepare students for their future by developing relationships, responsibility, and respect through relevant and rigorous coursework. Students begin in 9th grade and remain in the school for five years, graduating with both a high school diploma and a two-year associate degree. High school teacher Brooke Mabry views The Art of Learning as a vital resource and is introducing her colleagues to it through a systematic book study program in which participants will reflect on the content and share ideas for becoming better teachers. “I realized this book and project speaks to what our teachers and support staff are seeking to do for our students,” she says. “I hope to use this book to further our school’s mission of differentiating instruction to best meet the needs of all our learners.”