Comments on: Education Part I http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/03/26/education-part-i/ A space to (1) reflect on my teaching, (2) share new ideas, sites, and Web 2.0 tools with current staff, and (3) network with other 21st century teachers Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:30:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Paul J. Norton http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/03/26/education-part-i/#comment-137 Paul J. Norton Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:50:09 +0000 http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/03/26/education-part-i/#comment-137 The problem as I see it is that under the status quo we defer to the mores of society, whereas revolutions are much more about defering to principles. Sadly, the mores of society are not always principled ones but rather are simply popularized notions of one form or another. Freedom of thought hinges upon the same ultimate principle which makes school possible, makes all else possible, really, the same rule that I learned in kindergarten and which in my time appeared posted upon the wall of every classroom of every type and in every grade; "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". The mores of the status quo may fail to live up to such principles and it is precisely that circumstance which gives rise to revolutions, and one is either conscious of the fact or not. Therefore it is always the case, as we used to say, that one is "either part of the problem or part of the solution". Merely being conscious of the facts will then require the individual to get on one side or the other. Enjoyed your post very much. The problem as I see it is that under the status quo we defer to the mores of society, whereas revolutions are much more about defering to principles. Sadly, the mores of society are not always principled ones but rather are simply popularized notions of one form or another.

Freedom of thought hinges upon the same ultimate principle which makes school possible, makes all else possible, really, the same rule that I learned in kindergarten and which in my time appeared posted upon the wall of every classroom of every type and in every grade; “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.

The mores of the status quo may fail to live up to such principles and it is precisely that circumstance which gives rise to revolutions, and one is either conscious of the fact or not. Therefore it is always the case, as we used to say, that one is “either part of the problem or part of the solution”. Merely being conscious of the facts will then require the individual to get on one side or the other.

Enjoyed your post very much.

]]> By: Kitty http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/03/26/education-part-i/#comment-136 Kitty Thu, 27 Mar 2008 07:57:00 +0000 http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/03/26/education-part-i/#comment-136 Teachers are public servants who serve the entity who hires them. Therefore, just as someone who works for Nestle must, to some degree, accept the fact that they are helping perpetuate poverty and malnutrition teachers face the reality of the "company" they work for. That means that we can push the envelope as far as we want within that company, but we need to have our eyes wide open in terms of what those might be. There are charter schools, university schools, commune schools....there are choices, just as there are choices of Nestle and Honeywell or companies who make global responsibility a priority. Teachers find their line of what is important to them and how far they are willing to push balanced with what the community they are in wants, needs, and tolerates. Remember, one of the most revered teachers of all times, Socrates, faced these same issues. Teachers are public servants who serve the entity who hires them. Therefore, just as someone who works for Nestle must, to some degree, accept the fact that they are helping perpetuate poverty and malnutrition teachers face the reality of the “company” they work for. That means that we can push the envelope as far as we want within that company, but we need to have our eyes wide open in terms of what those might be. There are charter schools, university schools, commune schools….there are choices, just as there are choices of Nestle and Honeywell or companies who make global responsibility a priority. Teachers find their line of what is important to them and how far they are willing to push balanced with what the community they are in wants, needs, and tolerates. Remember, one of the most revered teachers of all times, Socrates, faced these same issues.

]]> By: dmcordell http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/03/26/education-part-i/#comment-135 dmcordell Thu, 27 Mar 2008 02:56:18 +0000 http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/03/26/education-part-i/#comment-135 Words are messy, words are weapons and windows and wings. You are a brave and righteous man, my friend, and you carry your gift of words with you. My revolution is a small one, but many small revolutions may result in...something. And something is better than nothing. Words are messy, words are weapons and windows and wings.

You are a brave and righteous man, my friend, and you carry your gift of words with you.

My revolution is a small one, but many small revolutions may result in…something. And something is better than nothing.

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