Hello Everyone,
So, for the past 14 years, I've been thinking long and hard about one of the enigmas that has plagued all schools, I'm sure—and when I say all schools, I'm talking about preschools, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and colleges. No matter what kind of schools they are or how great their so-called reputations are, one thing's for sure: a lot of kids are sitting in classrooms bored to death, or worse, not learning anything at all. Why? Because the adults have stupidly created cultures for adults, in and outside of children's classrooms (e.g., print-rich environments); adults haven't taken the time to ask the children in their schools what they want to be when they grow up and how they plan to get there; adults have not sat down with every child in their schools and told kids face-to-face, “I love you, want the best for you, and will see to it that you are successful...no matter what it takes.” How many teachers during your time in schools told you that they loved you and would be there for you until the end? For that matter, how many of us (assuming adults are reading this posting) vividly remembers 10 great teachers from preschool through graduate school? I know...you can't name 10 great teachers. You want to know why? Because most of the teachers in your lifetime—no matter how many A's you got, no matter how many degrees you achieved, no matter how much money you are making now—are a complete blur...you can't recall what they looked like, what their names were, or, for that matter, what they taught you. You persevered and did your personal best; you, for a very long time, were taking charge and teaching yourself. What's my point? You don't remember any of these teachers because what they taught and who they were as teachers wasn't relevant; they didn't make the human connection and take any real interest in you, and so your brain erased them completely from your psyche. Surprised? You shouldn't be at all.
You know what the real tear-jerker is, here: most of us remember our kindergarten teachers like it was yesterday—you know, the quirky woman who wore different hats, played all types of instruments, sang songs with us, and actually HELPED us grow as human beings. I'm sure we can also remember a couple of great high school teachers and one college professor, right? What was so great about these people? Why did we like them so much; and what made their teaching so special and unique? It was relevant, we knew these people loved us and would sacrifice it all to make sure we were happy, safe and smart.
In that same vein, who remembers Mr. Rogers Neighborhood? Who watched Julia Child's cook and couldn't change the channel? Somehow, these television shows were not only entertaining, they were relevant.
This is what's missing in America's schools and classrooms, and a lot of extraordinary kids are dropping out of school because schools are no longer lab-sites of relevance.
So, for the past 14 years, I've been thinking long and hard about one of the enigmas that has plagued all schools, I'm sure—and when I say all schools, I'm talking about preschools, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and colleges. No matter what kind of schools they are or how great their so-called reputations are, one thing's for sure: a lot of kids are sitting in classrooms bored to death, or worse, not learning anything at all. Why? Because the adults have stupidly created cultures for adults, in and outside of children's classrooms (e.g., print-rich environments); adults haven't taken the time to ask the children in their schools what they want to be when they grow up and how they plan to get there; adults have not sat down with every child in their schools and told kids face-to-face, “I love you, want the best for you, and will see to it that you are successful...no matter what it takes.” How many teachers during your time in schools told you that they loved you and would be there for you until the end? For that matter, how many of us (assuming adults are reading this posting) vividly remembers 10 great teachers from preschool through graduate school? I know...you can't name 10 great teachers. You want to know why? Because most of the teachers in your lifetime—no matter how many A's you got, no matter how many degrees you achieved, no matter how much money you are making now—are a complete blur...you can't recall what they looked like, what their names were, or, for that matter, what they taught you. You persevered and did your personal best; you, for a very long time, were taking charge and teaching yourself. What's my point? You don't remember any of these teachers because what they taught and who they were as teachers wasn't relevant; they didn't make the human connection and take any real interest in you, and so your brain erased them completely from your psyche. Surprised? You shouldn't be at all.
You know what the real tear-jerker is, here: most of us remember our kindergarten teachers like it was yesterday—you know, the quirky woman who wore different hats, played all types of instruments, sang songs with us, and actually HELPED us grow as human beings. I'm sure we can also remember a couple of great high school teachers and one college professor, right? What was so great about these people? Why did we like them so much; and what made their teaching so special and unique? It was relevant, we knew these people loved us and would sacrifice it all to make sure we were happy, safe and smart.
In that same vein, who remembers Mr. Rogers Neighborhood? Who watched Julia Child's cook and couldn't change the channel? Somehow, these television shows were not only entertaining, they were relevant.
This is what's missing in America's schools and classrooms, and a lot of extraordinary kids are dropping out of school because schools are no longer lab-sites of relevance.
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