My educational philosophy grew from my community and block organizing in the mid 60s to the early 70s. Wherever I looked, there were people who were being dissed by the press, the pundits, the common folk, too. And, what I found was that they - those unusual folks with a spark, a commitment to a better world and the drive to collaborate and make things happen - were everywhere and they were doing interesting things.
They helped stop the Vietnam War, they rolled into poverty-striken neighborhoods and changed the shools, got the food stamps, shoved the bugs and the rats out and brought in neighborhood stores, restaurants and after school centers. There were many feminists, few traditionalists and lots of energy to subvert the dominant paradigm as that phrase went.
And, I learned that no matter what I was doing, I was learning and that this was sweet in the vernacular of today's speech. Learning is change and it feels good. Is there a more cogent philosophy than that?
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ReplyDeletea commitment to a better world, as you put it, is something that i believe is absolutely mandatory if you want to be a successfull teacher and/or student. We should all have that drive, that passion to make the world around us better. Even if it is something small or something extraordinary, that drive, or "spark" as you put it so nicely, should definitely be there.
ReplyDeleteYes people must take action rather than sit on the sideline.
ReplyDeleteObserving the harsh realities that we live in and the desire of making lives better through educating our children will see fruition if we have the strength and persistance to see it through. Sometimes we are chastised for bringing up certain truths. Subjecting our students to these truths may or may not be looked on as being advantageous, but then how will change and thought provoking ideas come about? Good Phlog!
ReplyDeleteI really look forward to hearing your perspective on the changes in education since the 60s and 70s, including the energy of the times and how it was used. It seems like education today is totally lacking energy or a "mission" and I would like to be a part of changing that. Thanks for the interesting post!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about my fellow bloggers and their comments; together we can discuss our philosophical points and come to a clear understanding. I really love that. The truth is that which exists between us when we are open, when we explore, when we take risks so that our kids, everybody's kids get a better chance than we did.
ReplyDeleteSo, with that in mind and the schools that I am visiting to observe and to interview a master teacher or two or three, I wanted to run my questions by you to see what you thought:
* what is the role of art, music and drama as part of the curriculum?
* what is the role of bilingualism?
* what does structure really mean in education?
* how do students come to respect and trust a teacher?
My neighborhood elementary school is a fine arts and bilingual school that demonstrates the most extraordinary educational processes. Creativity abounds.
My high school will be the school named for Bobby Kennedy. The world was a different place the day that he died. For many of us, hope died when he died. And, still I want to create the world that he was working for that day and gruesome night. Yes, my politics are very important to me! (Those of you who have had me in a class before know that I just love to expound on creating a whole new world each day.)
I haven't settled on another school yet, but as soon as I do, I'll let you all know and ask for your guidance, your comments.