Thanks Kris

"The zone of proximal influence", you really are to much. Thank you for your insight and thoughtfulness. You have a real gift of eloquence and clarity. I am off to create my own truth. - Thank you

"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." -Thoreau

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7507802.stm - a link to a brief video celebrating the 90th birthday of Nelson Mandela.

Looking for a Universal Truth

The images for yesterday continue to resonate in my mind. It really struck me how Katrina represented the MACHINE in full operation. I am really searching for a universal truth, something that captures the value of a life lived to its greatest potential.

Inhumanity

We just finished the Katrina videos. I am so angered at the lack of humanity and compassion that was depicted in these videos. It is clear that any assumption the government is capable of, or prepared to, respond effectively in a humanitarian capacity is flawed. I don't know how, or if, we are ready to transcend issues of race, class or gender when clear evidence of these disparities play out or remain masked in our schools and society. Why does good change take so long?

Language, power and control

I was thinking today about language and how often I have heard things like, "If you get this assignment done you can go out for recreation" or "That kid doesn't belong with the general population" all have clear, institutional roots and yet there are those that think it perfectly acceptable to be speaking to children in this way. Language is such a rich and important component of what we do. So.... why wouldn't we, in every occasion and situation, maximize its potential? In the end, I think much of what we (generally speaking, not my beloved cohort friends) do in education is ultimately about power and control.

I have always been drawn to Yeats' metaphor of "lighting a fire." It emphasizes the passion for learning and curiosity that ultimately I believe we all want our students to embrace.

Hello, Mike,



I just read Corey's idea for cooking as a metaphor versus the machine. Then I read your blog about berries. Maybe you both are on to something. I definitely like the idea that the great taste leaves you longing for more. We know that the education we are providing for students today cannot be the end of their education and lifelong learning cannot be another educational slogan that is meaningless. Hopefully, if they like what we offer they will continue to go back for more.

Alicia

responding to a blog post

Hello Mike,

I don't know enough about this blogging. Some people's page is set up to receive comments about a particular posting. On yours I have to write as a brand new posting. (I have no idea how mine is set up for other people...)
Anyhow, rather than anything deep, I'm just going to send this as a trial response.

Have a nice evening.
-Corey