Where Are My Villagers?

You know the saying. It takes a village to raise a child. If that’s true, and I believe it is, then why do I feel like a single parent raising 36 unruly children? Where the *&^% are my villagers?

I’ll tell you where they are. They’re busy with their own lives, completely unaware that their talents could be of use in their local schools. Why? Because no one invited them into the classroom.

Rules to Live By

Think globally and reason critically to seek wisdom.

Listen thoughtfully and speak honestly to seek truth.

Create genuinely and laugh loudly to appreciate life.

Breathe deeply and live passionately to love unconditionally.

Goal of Education – A Holistic Approach in a Non-Holistic Society

knowledge gained through exploration and discovery + relevant societal application = love of learning?

As a teacher, I often wonder why I teach. I spend several hours each day teaching lessons in reading, grammar, writing, math, social studies, and science, but are my students truly learning? What is the goal of education?

I subscribe to the Holistic Education approach to learning. In short, it’s all about teaching to the whole child. Teachers are there to assist students as they develop emotionally, socially, intellectually, physically, artistically, and spiritually. Students move at their own pace and enjoy flexible, multi-age class groupings. Subject matters are integrated together in a thematic way and students follow their interests as they explore their world. Oh, yeah, and grades are non-existent and unnecessary.