Daily Archives: June 15, 2012

Friday Morning’s Thought

Posted on June 15, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I received this from someone yesterday and thought I would share it. Public education is in need of a make over. What does that mean? That is a hard question to answer without a new conversation and a pause to fully understand what our children need. Here is a starter. Chris Hedges is a Pulitzer Prize winning author and a source of this quote is George Takei the actor who played Sulu in Star Trek. I am not a Trekkie, but I like this quote. The points that stand out are the purpose of education, the interplay between power and morality, and the need for wisdom. I follow several on-line forums about leadership. Even there, the leadership experts frequently confuse knowledge, information, and wisdom often using those words loosely and interchangeably. Wisdom emerges from values named and held within community–sensus communis or common sense. What passes from generation to generation is its common sense, what it holds and names as values in a society. This takes a compassionate conversation which is rare.

Take care and enjoy those you come in contact with today.

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Posted in Community, Education, Learning Organizations, Progressive Education, Reflective Moments and tagged chris hedges, community, george takei, leadership, Progressive Education, purpose of education, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

Gratitude

Posted on June 15, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I began blogging in earnest in February, but it really began to take off in April. Today was a milestone with my 200th follower. With that, comes the reverse. I follow. There is a tremendous digital gathering and we are only just beginning to understand its impact.

200,

it isn’t 300,

the movie

or followers.

Thank you

for finding your way to this blog.

On a digital palette

I create

vent

reveal

learn

present

about the complex nuances of my life in this world.

My gratitude expressed two ways–

following others

who blaze trails

as pioneers

as companions.

Thank you

grateful

you share

your venture along

on this road less traveled

a humbling

transforming

uplifting space.

I am grateful, indebted.

Thank you

is the second way to express gratitude to 200 + 1 now.

Here is a sampler of blogs I follow. Please visit and add to their following. They inspire, teach, and share each day I prepare to write. I ma sure you will enjoy all or some of the following. Check out my blog roll for others.

Spokane Favs is a colleague of mine at Gonzaga University in Spokane WA.

Mikibong inspires with diverse and great photography

Marie Wetmore is a life coach par excellent

Elke Teaches is an Australian teacher to be and mother

Words/Love is a fantastic and creative writer

Zellie M Quinn is a writer and reflector of life

Edilio Ciclostile is a whimsical artist who wants you help him grow down

Enough of the Cat Talk is a teacher from New York who shares in many ways

Meanwhile Melody Muses is an exceptional writer of great poetry who honours nature and teaches.

Mike’s Look at Life is through poetry and photography of things we normally ignore but are there all the time

Brian Gaynor Photography provides inspiring pictures of and in nature

Rod Posse is a photographer of unusual but interesting things

RC Gale is a writer and creator of space for other writers.

That Dude Eddie is a writer of poetry and prose spreading love and peace.

Simon Marsh is an Anglican Priest in England who shares a passion for the writings of Parker Palmer and Thomas Merton

Elizabeth Rambles from a banana boat up the Clyde

Nonoy Manga is an artist and animator with a little writing thrown in on the side.

Seaman Mom is a mother from Romania who works on a cruise ship.

Colour the Day is an artist who finds beauty in many places and ways.

The Jog is by an Anglican minister in England.

Eleven 11 has gone quiet the last few days, but his is a fun blog to read.

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Posted in Photography, Poetry, Reflective Moments, Uncategorized, Writing and tagged community, Mindful Practice, poetry, teacher as transformer, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

leading and learning: Lets value individual creative teachers.

Posted on June 15, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

leading and learning: Lets value individual creative teachers..

This is a rather lengthy article written by a New Zealand based educator. I think it fits with a previous reblog of video featuring Sir Ken Robinson called The Educational Revolution: Why Schools Kill Creativity.

Read, watch, and weep. A lack of creativity and resulting innovation is killing public education with sameness. Let us all do it one way is the current creed. What can we do about it? It is high time we invited a new conversation to emerge.