Sheri Edwards

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  Sheri commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  "Evaluate that!" - Schools for Children

  I cheered for the first blog, and cheered again this time. A voice -- a reasoned voice-- explains the heart of education --to lead, to bring up.  That means as a whole child, guiding the human, not forcing information. Some children, not just special needs kids, carry habits and hurts that prevent them from accepting learning; they may be highly intelligent, but their focus is not in school. If we teach each child with care, we may reach them. Teaching and learning always start with the student. Lead each from where s/he is towards where s/he will shine in his/her world-- and that means growth not listed in the mandated curricula. If you think students are disengaged and dispirited, exasperated with "it's on the test," also please speak about the teachers who want to lead the child, but..."it's on the test." So how do we clarify for the Duncans of the world, that in each classroom, in each chair, sits someone waiting to be acknowledged for what they can do now and what they want to do in the future. But that future isn't what's in the mandate of today, it is in the imagination of each student under the care of a teacher who leads that child through processes of learning to awaken and realize the dream. It's not just facts; their importance changes. it's about learning to be human and learning to learn to solve dilemmas within a community.  As John Dewey explained, “
  Education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself.” Yes, we learn and teach the information that is "standard" today, but each child may grow from a different point and from so much more! --so much more that is not "accountable" in the "proving game" of mandates. However, the students are "improving."  [See "Proving While Improving", ASCD Whole Child Newsletter http://www.wholechildeducation.org/resources/newsletter.jhtml?id=37653 ] How do we clarify that?