Are you a PC or Mac
Right or Wrong
Believer or Denier
For Common Core or Against
Apple or Google
Democrat or Republican
Pro-Designated Hitter or Against
Our message makers have crafted this world of polarity, one in which we are forced to be in the in-crowd or stand in opposition. Sides, always sides.
Is this necessary? Is it possible that there are other options to lead us on the journey to clarity and growth. Instead of choosing dichotomous relationships, can we at times choose both options, other times choose neither, and as we explore change our position?
In education, at the most fundamental level our professionals have entered this world to serve our communities and help our children, all children learn and grow. Since 1983, "A Nation at Risk," we have been identified in the United States as unsatisfactory in our work. Pick the initiative. Choose a leading political party. Select your measurement. It doesn't matter, politically we have been identified as unsuccessful, wanting, & lacking accountability. Yet during this same period our economy, creativity, and knowledge base have grown exponentially. What was imagined on Star Trek is alive in our world.
It is not dichotomy which we seek, but multiplicity of opportunity. If we want to cultivate creative students, we need to embrace student, teacher and principal creativity. If we desire critical thinkers, we must ask our students, teachers and principals to analyze and question our ideas as much as those within the text.
Perhaps there is a power of and in our relationships. As schools, districts, teachers, and students we can embrace the concept that powerful learning opportunities are currently occurring in our schools and the idea as educators, politicians, communities and corporations we want to help our schools cultivate deeper levels of understanding, creativity, and knowledge. If we label, categorize, and seek dichotomy, that is all we will find. If we bring an open mind we may find more.
Very thought provoking post. Blaxk and white has always and will always be easier to deal with, but it makes for a very uninteresting, and often a dead end dialouge on the issues at hand. It often ends up as a entrenched battle of bringing others over to your perspectice or believe. I think it requires an investment of creativity and intelectual strength, openess and stamina to get beyond dichotomous positions.
ReplyDeleteMatt is addressing the polarity that is rampant and, I'll venture, destructive in our society.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started teaching, the Reading War was raging. Some argued Whole Language was the salvation, while others chose a more traditional approach. This debate limited thousands of students to one path or the other for literacy instruction. Now, a balanced approach to literacy is the accepted, preferred method.
This preferred method takes the best from each approach. It would seem the perfect case study to support Matt's thesis that truth, wisdom, and performance most often occur blended, thoughtful solutions.
Tom
Great Books Foundation