What is a paradigm? Is it referring to a “pair of dimes”? It can’t be important because we don’t use that word much, right? WRONG. The word paradigm refers to something really important. It names something so that you can be aware of it and purposefully change it.
Your paradigm controls your life. It is that BIG! It can make or break you. It will mean you have a happy, fulfilling life, or one full of disappointment and strife. For something this important, you’d think that more people would want to know about it!
Have you ever met that person that, no matter what is going on, they always see the worst and focus on it? They are always afraid of what might happen even when things are going their way. Conversely, have you ever met that person that can always see the best in their situation, even in the midst of hardship and grief? Do you recognize either of these two people in yourself?
Your paradigm is how you see the world. Understanding and identifying your paradigm enables you to change it.
Why would you want to change a paradigm? I am in education. There are so many negative paradigms in this field… positive ones too… but the negative ones need to be changed. In doing research on urban schools and the paradigms they have to deal with I can choose either to be sick at heart or to be motivated to move faster. Racism is rampant – both in teachers and in students. It is holding back generation after generation. I’m not saying that teachers are being mean or saying mean things but if they believe that Asian students are more likely to do better than Hispanic students that is a racist paradigm. Students are just as likely to believe things like this.
A “Genius Paradigm” can help change this. It means you have to look at each individual and see where their “genius” lies. You don’t look at race or socioeconomic status. You see an individual. You help them work away from their limiting paradigms and see their purpose and potential.
I’m not naïve. I know there is a lot more to the problems of racism and poverty in urban schools. But I also know that seeing each person as an individual with gifts that they are meant to share with the world is a much more positive paradigm. I’ve met many teachers who have this paradigm and I look forward to meeting more.
What I’m reading right now: “City Schools and the American Dream” by Pedro Noguera