Critical conversations about our schools
Published on Wed, Apr 21, 2010 by Beckye RandallRead More Voices
On a recent springtime Saturday morning, a dozen adults chose to gather in a community meeting room for a serious discussion. It wasn't a political caucus or a gathering to plan a bake sale or a business networking event.
The weighty topic, as outlined by organizer and high school teacher Jim Strickland, was "What experiences and opportunities will help our children grow into the kind of people that our community, our world, and our democracy needs?"
This was the second in a series of planned discussions to explore "The Purpose of Our Public Schools." Those in attendance included educators, parents and community members.
Strickland is a vocal and passionate proponent of teaching the fine points of democracy to our young people. If they don't understand the process, he reasons, they can't be expected to participate or become leaders.
"The dance of democracy," said Strickland, "is a balance between individual self-development and civic responsibility."
Others in the room spoke about their own "hot buttons," which ranged from a focus on skills competence, to instilling critical thinking abilities, to helping students with special needs or extraordinary social challenges.
According to Stuart Hunt, a former choral music instructor at M-PHS, "we spend so much time and effort [in schools] worried about social engineering, we're falling behind in technology and skills training."
"Our students need to develop faith in reasoning," offered Rob Lowry, assistant principal at Pathways of Choice at M-PHS. "They should practice intellectual perseverance, and be confident that the world is a knowable thing."
The people seated around the tables on Saturday morning offered valuable insights and posed thoughtful questions. It was the kind of discussion that is rare these days--respectful, meaningful, purposeful. And focused on a real-world outcome: schools that will better equip our young people for the world beyond their campus.
More conversations are planned, with the next one slated for Saturday, June 5. If you'd like more information, e-mail Jim Strickland at livedemocracy@hotmail.com.
The weighty topic, as outlined by organizer and high school teacher Jim Strickland, was "What experiences and opportunities will help our children grow into the kind of people that our community, our world, and our democracy needs?"
This was the second in a series of planned discussions to explore "The Purpose of Our Public Schools." Those in attendance included educators, parents and community members.
Strickland is a vocal and passionate proponent of teaching the fine points of democracy to our young people. If they don't understand the process, he reasons, they can't be expected to participate or become leaders.
"The dance of democracy," said Strickland, "is a balance between individual self-development and civic responsibility."
Others in the room spoke about their own "hot buttons," which ranged from a focus on skills competence, to instilling critical thinking abilities, to helping students with special needs or extraordinary social challenges.
According to Stuart Hunt, a former choral music instructor at M-PHS, "we spend so much time and effort [in schools] worried about social engineering, we're falling behind in technology and skills training."
"Our students need to develop faith in reasoning," offered Rob Lowry, assistant principal at Pathways of Choice at M-PHS. "They should practice intellectual perseverance, and be confident that the world is a knowable thing."
The people seated around the tables on Saturday morning offered valuable insights and posed thoughtful questions. It was the kind of discussion that is rare these days--respectful, meaningful, purposeful. And focused on a real-world outcome: schools that will better equip our young people for the world beyond their campus.
More conversations are planned, with the next one slated for Saturday, June 5. If you'd like more information, e-mail Jim Strickland at livedemocracy@hotmail.com.
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