Essence+of+Education


 * [[image:compass.png width="128" height="132"]] || === This page is for you to contribute links and a brief annotation for materials (articles, poems, video, audio, etc.) that have contributed to your sense of the "essence of education." Do contribute something! === ||


 * James Baldwin essays** in general have been influential on my world view and social justice thought. It's always amazing to me how the issues he discusses continue to be relevant in 2014. "A Talk to Teachers" is an address he gave to a group of teachers in NYC in 1963. Most of the content of the address centers around the effect of racism on black children, but at the beginning and end he speaks more generally to the role - and, more specifically, the paradox- of education. What I love about Baldwin is his ability to get at the essence of incredibly complex issues in simple terms without losing depth of heart and a sense of urgency. Here's a [|link to the speech]on the Zinn Education Project website. - Erica M.

http://embed.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion.html
 * Inspiring Ted Talk from Rita Pierson that brings us back to the message "it's all about the relationships.**" --Jess

Feeling a sense of awe is for me, one of the most powerful effects of learning. Developing a purpose based on that is even more powerful. I enjoyed this brief article about helping students develop a sense of purpose whether it is developing a greater understanding of a topic or taking action for a meaningful cause. - Amanda C.
 * Put the Awe Back in "Awesome" -- Helping Students Develop Purpose:** [|http://www.edutopia.org/blog/awe-helping-students-develop-purpose-vicki-zakrzewski]

From Edutopia – Yes, we all despise the Star Wars prequels, but George brought me back with this Edutopia talk on how the teaching of communication should be expanded at schools. He argues that English classes should be expanded to include teaching multimedia literacy tools. It’s something I’m completely on board with! Here is a [|LINK] to his talk. - Jeff P.
 * George Lucas on Communication in the Classroom**

Commencement speech he gave last year. It might be that I just love this guy's writing, but he has honed and reified a thought I have had for some time, especially in regards to what I really want to pass on to my students, my friends, my family: the utmost need for citizenship, in its regard to treating others with humanity and care. Link is here. - m.w.
 * George Saunders: on kindness**

It's not only informative to learn about the essence of education from teachers, but also from students. These five high school students in New York tell their opinions about the purpose of education, including providing everyone with opportunity, giving students purpose, and having teachers who believe in them. [|Link] Katherine
 * Five Students' Perspectives on Education**

[] The secret to building a better world for all is building better playgrounds. -Ali M.
 * Changing the World One Playground at a Time**

C. Roland Christensen articulates that __**Ev****ery student teaches, and every teacher learns.**__ Co-construction of knowledge (constructivism) is therefore the avenue in which I will prepare students for the real world of practice, but also use our time in the classroom to directly translate into real-world activity, i.e. teaching my students to function effectively and successfully in the pluralistic real world. Other core principles that resound with me can also be found here: http://www.hbs.edu/teaching/case-method-in-practice/core-principles.html -Cheryl

Throughout this program, I have reflected often on my own education and suspect many of you have as well. Why did we love some teachers and dislike others? Ultimately for me, it comes down to this (timely) quote: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Dr. Maya Angelou No link - just the quote. Hope it helps. - Amanda B.
 * Just a short quote**

One of the best and inspirational views on teaching are delivered in the form of a poem. Some of you have seen or heard this man before, he was even posted on our facebook page a while back. This just really speaks to me, and its just a short something that you can listen to on long, dark days. Enjoy! [|"Miracle Worker"] --Scott
 * The role of a teacher from teacher/poet Talor Mali**

[] -Jenny
 * A TED talk from Sir Ken Robinson**