There’s a lot of talk about “failing schools” according to the criteria in No Child Left Behind. And of course, there’s a lot of subjective measurement that’s a bit trickier to quantify what makes a school great.
I propose something a bit different. A School of Failure. It would look something like this:
Daydreaming would be encouraged.
“Why not?” would be heard as often as “Why?”Taking initiative would be encouraged. Failure is welcomed. And wildly cheered.
Standardized tests and grades are thought to be irrelevant.
Teachers would shine as mentors and coaches, not cogs.
Yep, by today’s measurements, this would be a school of failure.
I’d enroll my kids in a minute.
Filed under: education, Free Range Education, homeschooling, Public schooling, The Mother Lode Project
I’d sign up! Failure is the motivator for hard work, innovation and character building! Often, the harder we fall we higher we reach.
If its broke we should fix it. What a great idea for a school model. Our children are our future and it seems as though we are setting them up to fail by telling them they aren’t smart enough or good enough to accomplish anything in life. I don’t know about you but ky children are spectacularly unique and individually talented. Why can’t we encourage that in school? Thanks Teresa for your website and caring nature!
Love this, “The harder we fall the higher we reach.” Thanks Deby!
Sarah- You are so welcome. I LOVE how you put this…”Spectacularly unique.” And how wonderful it was to meet your spectacularly unique family. You are a treasure!
Amen, sistah! And great quote from Deb, but maybe it should be “The lower we fall, the higher we reach”.
Love you T. ~ Jas
I especially like the idea of the teachers acting as mentors.
Charlotte- I love the proverb, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” Our educational models depend on a “teacher teaching” vs. “student learning.” (Can a teacher really teach a kid who doesn’t WANT to be taught?) IMHO, a gifted teacher does much more than impart knowledge…they inspire and stimulate curiosity.
Another one of my fav education quotes from Yeats, “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.”
Thanks for commenting!