I’ve heard throughout my life that we each have a mission or purpose. I’ve taught the Hero’s Journey – Campbell’s classic deconstruction of almost every story ever told – and how to apply it to your own life. I’ve seen the power of teaching this and believing it. But I’ve also seen its problems.
Twenty years ago, when my oldest son turned five and I had to take a look at the educational system available for my kids, I found it sadly lacking. I ended up homeschooling my five sons for that reason. But now I am really in the thick of it. I’ve got my teaching credential and I’m being confronted by this system in another way. I no longer just have five kids I’m responsible for… I have 40+. And I’m seeing the results of the traditional educational system and I want to do what I can to change it because I know there is another way that is so much better.
When I study or teach a topic I like to make sure I also study something contrary to it. For example, when I teach the Declaration of Independence I also like to touch on the Communist Manifesto. While I am not equating Common Core with the Communist Manifesto,
Ellen DeGeneres had a segment of her show on a school in Visalia, California. The school is in one of the poorest areas of town and definitely fits the definition of an “urban school”. Ellen included this school on her show because of what the principal was doing for her students. She had noticed that several of the kids loved dancing and gymnastics and she wanted to encourage their individuality and creativity. This principal’s overriding goal was to get her students to love coming to school. She accomplished that by starting a club that encouraged her students’ interests.
I share this story because it illustrates one person’s recognition of “achievement” in others. One of my favorite quotes is:
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
I’m a history teacher. I LOVE history, especially exploring the cycles in history. I get excited when I see how things like entrepreneurship have changed the world.
If you don’t know me well yet, I want to share my bias right up front. I love freedom and I am passionate about education. As of 2017, I have been homeschooling for seventeen years – a combination of those two principles. So, with that right out front, here is I want to say about charters…
This is about one man who decided to do what he could to change the world. True, he has a LOT of money. But he didn’t have to do this. It is about 30 minutes but worth it.
Can I just say I LOVE Sir Ken Robinson!?! This video is great for those who learn visually. With the addition of the artwork, this is AMAZING!
Everywhere in the news these days there is talk about school shootings. Students are walking out of school to protest. Others are joining marches and waving signs. While all of these bring notice to the topic, it’s not enough. Most of them want to get rid of guns. Unfortunately, that won’t solve the problem, it is much deeper than that.
As a home educator, I have had my kids go to Khan Academy many times. As a student myself, I have used his lessons to reinforce my own learning. As a teacher and mentor for homeschool families, I recommend Sal Khan’s genius all the time. Check out his Ted Talk…