One
For better or worse, the baseline for my classroom is presence and civility. It’s the starting point and the non-negotiable. I’m always looking for stuff about this.
Sunday’s paper, back page of the book review, on civility. It’s three academic works but Ryerson’s reflections are sound.
Two
In PD yesterday, some genius principal presented us with Barack Obama’s concluding speech and asked us to think about how we might use it in the classroom. In my small group, we came up with the idea of shifting some of the words to reflect what we want for our advisory.
President Obama’s words:
It falls to each of us to be those those anxious, jealous guardians of our democracy; to embrace the joyous task we’ve been given to continually try to improve this great nation of ours. Because for all our outward differences, we, in fact, all share the same proud title, the most important office in a democracy: Citizen. Citizen.
So, you see, that’s what our democracy demands. It needs you. Not just when there’s an election, not just when your own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime. If you’re tired of arguing with strangers on the Internet, try talking with one of them in real life. If something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and do some organizing. If you’re disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself. Show up. Dive in. Stay at it.
“… you see, that’s what our democracy demands. It needs you.”
Sometimes you’ll win. Sometimes you’ll lose. Presuming a reservoir of goodness in other people, that can be a risk, and there will be times when the process will disappoint you. But for those of us fortunate enough to have been a part of this work, and to see it up close, let me tell you, it can energize and inspire. And more often than not, your faith in America — and in Americans — will be confirmed. (Applause.)
What if we replace democracy with the Workshop School? What if we replace democracy with advisory? How is it the same? How is it different?
