I love listening to the podcast On Being with Krista Tippet. She is often talking about the human condition and our interactions with the world, asking questions about it all to very interesting people. I’m constantly inspired by these conversations - I’d like to try putting them into words here. Mostly because I truly believe that when we are looking to change something, it is only by giving children the tools that we are able to see true change.
“The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.” -Dr. Maria Montessori
It will not be perfect. However, I share all of these thoughts with love and curiosity. I hope that you can listen - and please talk kindly back to me.
Some ideas to explore more deeply, especially as I am working on the Charter draft for YES - Yellowstone Experience School:
little d democracy. My definition of democracy is a system of leadership in which power is vested in the people. It is a commitment to sitting in a circle with the people who are most affect by an action and talking one at a time and listening to each other. How can we do this as a family unit? A classroom? A school?
Solving societies problems with a different mindset - stopping the harm cycle. In many ways, the paths that we have taken to make the world a better place aren’t working. Prisons are getting bigger. Instead of punitive actions, how can we create change? (Hint: with children!)
The world we live in is changing at an unprecedented pace in so many ways. The power of imagination in shaping and reshaping the world as it evolves. When we allow children to use their imaginations, then we get the MOST creative solutions. We must trust children - give them the freedom and patience from adults so they can truly use their imaginations for big ideas (instead of just unicorns and mermaids).
Emergent strategies on the human condition - people talk about strategic planning - but whose strategies? Focusing on being in and of nature as opposed to scared of it. Strategies that are grounded in gratitude towards the gifts of our Earth. This is true of businesses and with our interactions with each other.
Developing human potential - what if every child was given the opportunity to be the best human that they can be? If our mission is to teach reading, writing and arthmatic, then think of all the layers that are being ignored! I’ve heard the comparison of traditional way and topics of education being compared to being a brick layer. However, when you can zoom out and teach to the whole human, than the capacity for Cathedrals are available.
Those are my thoughts for now. I’ll be back to keep thinking out loud.