Big Shift #3: Critique to Vision: March 2018 Newsletter
Spring is finally here...at least in California ;)
It's the perfect time to be thinking about new life and new visions - which is this month's big mindshift: From Critique to Vision.
While critique can play an important role in improvement, to be productive it needs to be rooted in a clear positive vision of what is good. You can't "continuously improve" unless you know what you're building toward. Read my Medium thought piece on why the move from critique to vision is essential for forward movement in schooling, and check out Tye Ripma's blog story for a powerful example of how this plays out in teacher lunchrooms everywhere.
In the meanwhile, we're helping devlop that vision through exciting work with classrooms and schools across the country through student-led inquiry projects about what makes a good life and the role of school in creating it. Educators, send us a note at hello@reenvisioned.org if you're interested in participating in the second-round pilot of our curriculum!
Warmly,
Erin & The REENVISIONED Team
Check out our Medium thought piece:
Education Reform Needs Less Critique, More Vision.
In education we are far too focused on how to figure out what is “true” (in the limited sense of what we can prove through measurement) and not nearly concerned enough with what is “good” or what we’re trying to achieve. ...
Without a vision it’s impossible to see whether what is “true” is helpful in achieving our larger goals.
But what makes a good life? A good school? Do we agree? And how do we figure out a positive shared vision when we live in a pluralistic, diverse, and increasingly divided,democratic society? [read more]
by Tye Ripma
You can tell a lot about the culture of a school from the way teachers engage with each other during lunch. The all-too-short lunch break is the eye of the storm - a moment to step back from the chaos of the classroom. In many schools, lunch offers time to recharge, connect with colleagues, and make plans. But when things are off in classrooms, underlying problems are evident in lunch room conversation.
"Who are we here for?
Are our kids really learning?
What is the role of equity and justice in a public education that serves our society?
Erik B, Superintendent @ Menlo Park City School District
Erik was interviewed as part of our #EdLeader series. Read his full interview here.
Join the REENVISIONED Book Club
The REENVISIONED Book Club is a group of inquisitive thinkers who get together monthly to ask key questions and discuss hot topics related to systems-change and the purpose of school.
Email us for more details or to join.
Tweet us!
We're still learning about the tweeting world - help us get better! Share this month's posts on Twitter! Make sure to tag us @reenvisioned.
Educators: What do your students think it means to live a good life?
We need TWO more awesome educators to help us pilot a powerful REENVISIONEDInstructional Unit.
What do your students think about the purpose of school? How do they, and adults in their lives, define a good life?
If you want to connect deeply with your students and make their school experience more relevant to their interests, partner with REENVISIONED to pilot our instructional unit. Geared toward high school students, this student-led 1-2 week unit has students ask meaningful questions and reflect on the purpose of life and school.
For more information, sign up here.
10,000 Stories. One Shared Vision.
REENVISIONED is a national movement to redefine the purpose of school. We believe schools should foster flourishing individuals and a thriving democratic society. But what does it mean to thrive or flourish?
To answer this, we're building the world's largest collection of stories about what it means to live good lives and the role schools should play in helping create them: 10,000 stories from people across the country. We'll use the stories to learn about our shared values and dreams and to create a new vision for why we send our children to school.
We work with people like YOU across the country: Catalysts - individuals, classrooms, schools, and community organizations - who interview people in their communities and foster empathy nationwide by sharing the stories on our website and social media: Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook (@reenvisioned). Please follow us and spread the word!