Good morning, Jennifer. YES, I totally agree that it's essential for teachers to model the core values of kindness and respect for ALL sentient beings on planet Earth and also to love and care for Mother Earth, as our beloved Thomas Berry would say. And, as you say, this love and respect begins with "discourse." I would start this discourse with conversations and stories in pre-school and continue through adolescence with dialogue sessions and/or "Circles." If children have not learned this by then, the challenges of education become almost insurmountable. So teacher re-eduction then becomes an essential part of graduate programs. In my view, a curriculum that values a Holistic approach, or what Fritjof Capra calls "a systems view of Life, is a good way to start. I'd like to learn more about the conference you just attended! I do not use What's App. Is there another way to access the information? Thank you!
Absolutely agree that educating for respect has to start with preschool and go on up. The problem is that higher education forgets about the bodies, focusing only on the minds. But we are more than just our minds, thank goodness. I think the whole notion of classroom has to expand. The world is our classroom! How then, and what then, should we teach?
**”The world is our classroom! How then, and what then, should we teach?”**
Do you know James Moffett and his work, “The Universal Schoolhouse; Spiritual Awakening Through Education”? AND There is a new book just out by Jonathan Marine inviting us all to look again at the work of James Moffett. Peace.
Yes, you can use the links in my post to find the conference website and many sessions on You-Tube. I gave a short talk on Thomas Berry’s work, I felt it was important to bring his vision into this space. Nora Bateson opened the conference. Very special!
Thank you! I enjoyed the TJ video first. Ubuntu comes to mind. I’ve played with the idea, “What if…?” What if when one hears police sirens we could think, “Oh, someone’s in trouble, AND they’re going to the help they need.” Mine are a scramble of thoughts sometimes, if I might share… When I read a lot by Riane Eisler I wondered why it couldn’t be that children be taught to call out domination; 1) man over man, 2) man over woman, 3) adults over children, and 4) humankind over Gaia/nature. I know that some children are taught to recognize and call out racism, why not all instances of domination? I have a mind to make lists of children’s books that reflect the four above mentioned instances of domination to kickstart this idea, much like the lists made called “Habits of Mind.” Maybe someone else wants to run with it?
**”If the goal of education is making society better, then what's essential for teachers is to show up with purpose and enthusiasm to engage young people wholeheartedly in the respectful exchange of stimulating ideas, modeling the kind of social relations we value.”** Oh! this is what I am reading about in Jarvis Given’s book, “Fugitive Pedagogy”—with purpose and enthusiasm AND subversion!
Subversion...yes, necessary too. Teachers can function as Trojan horses within the system, if we dare to bring more creative, free thinking into our classrooms.
Good morning, Jennifer. YES, I totally agree that it's essential for teachers to model the core values of kindness and respect for ALL sentient beings on planet Earth and also to love and care for Mother Earth, as our beloved Thomas Berry would say. And, as you say, this love and respect begins with "discourse." I would start this discourse with conversations and stories in pre-school and continue through adolescence with dialogue sessions and/or "Circles." If children have not learned this by then, the challenges of education become almost insurmountable. So teacher re-eduction then becomes an essential part of graduate programs. In my view, a curriculum that values a Holistic approach, or what Fritjof Capra calls "a systems view of Life, is a good way to start. I'd like to learn more about the conference you just attended! I do not use What's App. Is there another way to access the information? Thank you!
Absolutely agree that educating for respect has to start with preschool and go on up. The problem is that higher education forgets about the bodies, focusing only on the minds. But we are more than just our minds, thank goodness. I think the whole notion of classroom has to expand. The world is our classroom! How then, and what then, should we teach?
**”The world is our classroom! How then, and what then, should we teach?”**
Do you know James Moffett and his work, “The Universal Schoolhouse; Spiritual Awakening Through Education”? AND There is a new book just out by Jonathan Marine inviting us all to look again at the work of James Moffett. Peace.
I don't know James Moffett, thank you for the reference, Sheryl! Wonderful title, I'll check it out!
Speaking to the seemingly insurmountable challenges of education, one word “bridges.”
Yayyy... Rainbow Bridges!
Yes, you can use the links in my post to find the conference website and many sessions on You-Tube. I gave a short talk on Thomas Berry’s work, I felt it was important to bring his vision into this space. Nora Bateson opened the conference. Very special!
Love that you’re holding space in an outdoor classroom. No better place to do it.
I agree!
Thank you! I enjoyed the TJ video first. Ubuntu comes to mind. I’ve played with the idea, “What if…?” What if when one hears police sirens we could think, “Oh, someone’s in trouble, AND they’re going to the help they need.” Mine are a scramble of thoughts sometimes, if I might share… When I read a lot by Riane Eisler I wondered why it couldn’t be that children be taught to call out domination; 1) man over man, 2) man over woman, 3) adults over children, and 4) humankind over Gaia/nature. I know that some children are taught to recognize and call out racism, why not all instances of domination? I have a mind to make lists of children’s books that reflect the four above mentioned instances of domination to kickstart this idea, much like the lists made called “Habits of Mind.” Maybe someone else wants to run with it?
**”If the goal of education is making society better, then what's essential for teachers is to show up with purpose and enthusiasm to engage young people wholeheartedly in the respectful exchange of stimulating ideas, modeling the kind of social relations we value.”** Oh! this is what I am reading about in Jarvis Given’s book, “Fugitive Pedagogy”—with purpose and enthusiasm AND subversion!
Subversion...yes, necessary too. Teachers can function as Trojan horses within the system, if we dare to bring more creative, free thinking into our classrooms.
This answered my question at the end of the previous post! Thank you. I'll sit and read this before I do anything else today!!