“Poverty is the [parent] of crime” – Marcus Aurelius
When I completed my PhD, I was uncertain where I would go next. I thought I would write and present about what becoming a teacher meant, after all that was the subject of my dissertation. As good luck would have it, I meandered in a different direction, teaching a philosophy of education course and supervising student-teachers. As well, I began to write and present, initially with colleagues and more on my own, about what we call an andragogy of hope. This morphed re-imagining education, including how we educate aspiring teachers and how they continue to educate themselves once in the profession. Now, I am combining hope, peace, and holistic education under one umbrella. They are interrelated and, in my mind, essential to the future of a world for our children, grandchildren, and future generations.
When I enter K-12 classrooms, and for that matter post-secondary ones, it strikes me how little has changed and what has changed is more a regression than a moving forward. Yes, we have different tools in our classroom, but students often sit in rows, teachers deliver from the front, and there is little true deep dives into curricular topics, exploring the contours of their topography. Teachers tells me they cannot touch certain topics as a small slice of their community will shout others down. Parker Palmer says classrooms should be spaces where tensions, holding our differences hospitably. In other words, they would be safe spaces where dialogue, deep listening, and civil discourse emerge.
Imagine, if teachers educated themselves to open up hospitable spaces, where listening to beloved others was essential. John Lennon wrote and sang “You may say I’m a dreamer/But I’m not the only one/I hope someday you’ll join us/And the world will be as one.” Peace begins as a dream, which suggests it is situational and contextually bound, without giving up its universal elements. Systems theory proposes each person, each classroom can be a node, reaching out to others in a the network. Furthermore, this is trans-disciplinary, which suggests soloed classrooms and teaching one subject at a time is passe.
I understand inertia of the status quo and wishes of ideologues, politicians, bureaucrats, technocrats, etc. in ivory towers act as barriers to transforming education at all levels. It is actually dangerous work, which means teachers at all levels need to be expert in ways they may not have imagined. Dangerous work means being creative:
“Perhaps there is no peace for an [teacher] other than the peace found in the heat of combat. But now the [teacher] is in the amphitheatre. Of necessity, [their] voice is not quite the same; it is not nearly so firm. To create today means to create dangerously” — Albert Camus
This song is from a collaboration between Maria Muldaur and Women’s Voices For Peace Choir.
Teacher as Transformer 
Hi, I’m a 35-year retired teacher, K-12 but mostly 7-12. I loved what you wrote in this “essay.” I would love to gift you my teacher-mentor book as well as another true-story book I wrote about a student I had. Both are free on KU, but I’ll happily mail them to you if you give me an address. You can email me. My heart goes out to teachers, parents, and students nowadays. I fear for our nation, especially since reading has continued to spiral downwards. Warm regards, Janet
I agree with your last sentences Janet. These are challenging times and it is difficult for teachers with so many forces acting on them.
I appreciate your writing, your intent, your hope for education. I’d love to share/gift my two education books with you. As a 35-year K-12, mostly 7-12, retired teacher, my heart aches for teachers, parents, and students. My two books are available on Amazon, free on KU, or I’ll happily mail them to you if you want to give me an address via email. rjwalraven02@gmail.com Warm regard, Janet …R.Janet Walraven, M.Ed.
I don’t envy any teacher that has to prepare an educational plan that is acceptable to all those (unnecessary) forces.
Others have told me I retired from K-12 at the right time. It is very challenging with those unnecessary and external forces. I love that phrase Dan.
I love this Post Ivon ❤
Thank you Eunice
Changing times – it feels like every aspect of life is a challenge these days. Norms are no more!
Pat
We live in liquid times where norms and institutions are no longer very permanent. This is what makes it challenging.
Yes, indeed! I really enjoyed this piece. Thank you.
I have been a teacher in California for over 30 years and have seen great change in the classroom. Yes, children still sit at desks, but in cooperative groups. Sometimes. Other times my students sit on the floor or wherever they like. It depends on the what the task needs. Back when I began we had to be careful not to get too personal and “pry” into children’s personal lives and when I started doing class circle meetings many looked at me as if I was a too idealistic. Now there are staff meetings with devoted time for the teaching of social emotional learning techniques or meditation practices for children. We are now guiding children to self talk their own emotional health. It’s an exciting time!
I agree Laurie. It is exciting times. Your experiences and those within your school are heartwarming and good to hear about. What I am witnessing is something different. Part of the difference might be intentional and mindful efforts to introduce and sustain the practices you describe: circle meetings, meditation, and listening to children and youth as they tell us who they are. What we need to do is learn from those experiences and apply them in effective ways in new contexts.
I agree. The children need it more than ever.
We all need it and children might be the ones who help us find it.
I hear you Ivon, I taught high school for 16 years and I was always trying to change things up especially when we’re discussing ethics, morality, spirituality, God and such! Fascinating article and although not a lot has changed, I remain hopeful. Hugs, C
I remain hopeful too Cheryl. My mother used to say “the more things change, the more the stay the same.” if they are changing, it is a regressive change with only a few voices being heard, the ones that put a government over the top to remain in power. In each our own way, we have to find ways to remain hopeful and affect good change.
Food for thought! I’m glad I am retired from teaching at this time in our history. Locally, required student testing has placed more emphasis on answering test questions than on the things that are important. There seems to be little joy left in the classroom these days and most schools cannot even afford the educational and fun field trips we used to take. Children need to love to learn in a happy environment.
Yes, they do need to love learning and feel the teacher loves learning with them. Your comment reminds of me of the Richard Feynman quote: “Students don’t need a perfect teacher. Students need a happy teacher, who’s gonna make them excited to come to school and grow a love for learning.”
Like you, teachers tell me I left at the right time. My focus now is working with aspiring teachers and hoping we can make a difference.
Hello blogger, I enjoyed reading your post. I subscribed. See you often. Have a happy and bright day. ^^*
Nice to meet you friend again my news site is closed so i re-opened a few day before and I re-subscribe to your site and go… 🌸Then I hope you have a peaceful and happy day today☀️
Hello friend, I enjoyed your cool post. I subscribed. See you often. Have a good day🌙💫🔆🌹😸
Hello friend, I enjoyed your cool post. I subscribed. See you often. Have a good day🌙💫🔆😸🌷
Thank you
Hello friend, I enjoyed your cool post. I subscribed. See you often. Have a good day🌙💫🔆😸🌷🍀
Good post.I subscribed. Have a nice day🍀☘️⭐️💝
Thank you
admirable view us too