January 5, 2012
Dear Intersection Participants,
Schools have the potential to contribute to a better world. Schools can create paths for children that lead them to possibility, potential and promise. When paths like that are realized, we all benefit because reaching potential, possibility and promise results in happiness, growth and change for individuals and society.
What does this look like, and what doesn't this look like?
This does not look like one-size-fits-all factory model schools. The factory model school continues to have a strong hold on our minds and actions--as a culture we are having a very difficult time moving from the factory structure to a more holistic, people-centered, diverse structure for learning and development even though the research and reports coming from business and higher education are pointing us in that direction. Books like Drive, Making Learning Visible for Teachers, and Outliers as well as well-funded educational changes at Harvard and other universities and schools demonstrate the strength of blended learning environments, passion-based learning and people-centered endeavor.
The notion that "we had to do it, so you can too" is also ingrained in our culture--a culture that continues to embrace notions of winners and losers, best and least, #1 and right or wrong rather than win-win, collaboration and success for all. We need to change our "either-or" thinking to that of multi-dimensional continuum thought that mirrors the ground-breaking research and understanding of brains, cognition, health and success. Movement in this direction will not only create a better world, but will also develop happier, more fulfilled individuals whose lives are engaged in meaningful endeavor that rids our world of unnecessary suffering, work and intent, and replaces actions of old with as much joy and positive development as possible.
Not unlike the tremendous leap in growth our forefathers and mothers experienced during the birth of our nation, this is a time when novel, ground-breaking algorithms, structures, policies and routines are necessary. The way we used to do it mostly won't work anymore because we've changed, and what we need and want beyond our most basic needs for health and care are much different than before--it's a new world with new challenges and we desperately need to nurture a "new people" to successfully meet those challenges and create a world beyond what we can imagine.
Now why do I care about this? I am an elementary school teacher who works in a small, suburban school near Boston. In the scope of life, my job is small, yet the fact that I work with young children who sparkle with potential and promise everyday leads me to dream big and desire a world that embraces the best of the old while also developing new and better ways to secure life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all.
We are a smart people, and there's no reason why we can't solve the problems of war, disease, hunger, violence, environmental demise and boredom. Believing that we can make a difference is the first step, a step that many are frightened to take. These are big problems that will profit from innovative thought and structure. More of the same, old factory model, "one-size-fits-all" education will only breed more of the same, while new and innovative thought coupled with the best of the old will lead our country forward with life changing promise and potential.
So with all this in mind and all of your expertise and success in the many, varied fields that you work and live in, what are you thoughts about schools and society?
Who are the people we want to develop for the future? How would you characterize the outlook, attributes, lifestyles and dreams of these people?
Why can't all children succeed, and live in healthy, safe, inspiring communities? What holds us back from making this happen? Is it a belief that some should succeed, and others shouldn't?
How can we change the structures, algorithms, basic thinking and processes in place so that we are moving towards a peaceful, prosperous world rather than a world that continues to spend countless hours and dollars on conflict and life-hindering activity and endeavor? It seems like so much money is wasted on defense and protection rather than collaborative, forward-thinking positive growth?
And specifically, how can we restructure the way we support schools in the United States so that every child experiences an education that represents the following attributes:
- A welcoming peaceful, healthy child-centered environment.
- An education that gives every child the attitude, skills, process, knowledge and potential to move forward in a positive direction.
- Voice.
- The tools to innovate, invent and create new ideas and structures for our world.
Right now we're spending too much time and money on structures that exaggerate the factory model mindset related to education and not enough dollars building new, improved schools that match the latest research and vision for the future. Teachers in the trenches are stretched way beyond their means in many cases with too much time on task without adequate tools, support and time for collaboration, planning and thoughtful student response.
We need to streamline all funding for testing, materials and supplies that support outdated models, and begin funding the practice, process and materials that support people-centered, passion based learning communities that respond to student needs, interests and state-of-the-art research.
How do we make this happen in both small ways and big so that we can hand over this world to our children with confidence, promise and pride. I believe that the we hold these answers and potential, and these answer lie in restructuring the way we make decisions and act with the best interests of children in mind.
Sincerely,
Maureen Devlin
Note: The next letter will focus on specific changes I can impact in the learning community in which I teach.
