I recently attended a workshop run by the dynamic and passionate Jamaal A Bowman, principal of the Cornerstone Academy of Social Action in the Bronx. He challenged our group of parents, students, and teachers to REimagine and REdesign our schools. It was a simple yet brilliant concept that focused our energy and creativity on positive outcomes, rather than on the often negative energy that comes from defining and articulating all that's wrong with public education today.
I'm not interested in naiveté of thought that all our problems can be solved by positive thinking. But it certainly felt good to spend some time working towards plausible, positive solutions. I spend so much of my teaching life protecting my students from the multitude of bad directives that come from "education reform" efforts. I have to filter all the crazy stuff I'm told to do before I can create a sane, coherent learning environment for my students. I don't think I should have to spend more time questioning, than planning and implementing what my students need.
I'm still a realist with a healthy dose of skeptic thrown in. But I'm also willing to believe there's value in imagining positive change to work towards true REdesign.
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