Thanks to the Huffington Post Parent column, we have these beautiful stores of good (and some not-so-good) teachers. Enjoy, and remember — I am looking for teachers’ stories, too.
Just send me an email or comment on this blog.
Stories about teachers
February 1st, 2012 | Book Thoughts, For Teachers, By Teachers, Teacher Reads
2 comments ↓
Do our schools turn out graduates with humility, courage, understanding, imagination, strong character, and generosity? “If citizens adopt this core belief, the purpose of public education will be focused on the development of students’ minds, characters, and spirits. Isn’t that the purpose of education (p.16)?” This is at the heart of Dr. Hurley’s alternate model of schooling which places the six virtues at the core.
During my life as a parent and teacher, I have witnessed much thoughtlessness in the educational environment. Teachers, faced with ongoing pressures, may not always be respectful. I see little team building in classes or morning meeting due to the time restraints put on them. I see teachers being asked to do more and more. How generous is the state legislature in paying teachers and issuing raises?
Our law makers are not teachers or administrators that spend copious amounts of time in the schools they govern. They are politicians that rely on research and data to drive our schools. Because we expect this governance to take care of us, we are stuck in the quagmire. A major shift is not possible. Why shouldn’t education be governed educationally?
I am not sure why there is not more civility and kindness in our schools. We need to look at Dr. Hurley’s model and see how we can implement his ideas. We are ready for schools that turn out individuals that are good thinkers that make good decisions. We are ready for a society of people with strong character where acceptance is ubiquitous. We are ready for our schools to turn out graduates with understanding, humility and courage. We are ready for the six virtues. I know I am.
Thanks for your support of my ideas, Debra. Improving education may be difficult, but it is not complex. Therefore, we should give ourselves to the task in a way that is simple. Or, as you point out, just start modeling and teaching the six virtues.
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