Tag Archives: Leadership

The Winds of Change

So, recently my third born son brought home a homework assignment. It was time to build the Egg Drop container. My first born and third born are 7 years apart. This was not my first Egg Drop Rodeo! I marveled at the idea that all three of my sons had done the same science assignments in 7th grade. Then I thought, lets look this up on the Internet. There were a plethora of ideas for the experiment online as it is a common assignment for middle school students. My third born had ideas of his own (um, didn’t he recognize my experience and expertise on the subject ?). We worked on it together, combining ideas and may I say, he totally won his class Egg Drop!

Through the process I kept thinking, “Really? In 7 years there have been no new scientific concepts for 7th graders?” When the answer to the assignment can be easily googled is it still valid? Is our educational system more concerned with test results than relevant, significant, engaging content? I think the answer to that question is obvious.

There is nothing new under the sun…

Why?

RT

Feeding the Dinosaur

Hello there!  I have been an educator for over 20 years and a dreamer for many more. Throughout the years that I have fed children’s minds and hearts, I have made observations and engaged in research.  I have watched and participated as educational fads came and went and then came around again.  I have read a myriad of inspiring articles and books.  I have viewed and led inspiring professional development helping teachers implement international, research based, best practices only to be thwarted by… the dinosaur.

As I pondered the American educational system, its history and my experiences, I came to a conclusion.   Public Education as we know is a DINOSAUR.  We work with an antiquated system of organization, governmental restrictions, and requirements that are the antithesis of research and what all good teachers know in their hearts and heads about kids and learning.  The demands continue to increase while the children suffer. Daily I observe practices that confound me as an educator, a parent and a tax payer.  So, to redirect the frustration, I decided to share my musings in hopes that we as educators can “Make the change we wish to see in the world.”

RT