How To Wisely Educate Our Children

How do we create the best foundation for our children? What do they really need to thrive in life? Which parts of our current education system is wonderful and which aren't? How can we support what they are doing or create an entirely different foundation for their educational journey?

Reviews

I agree with almost everything you said, and I am a teacher now working within the broken system. Let's keep hope strong. Most of the teachers in our little public high school are here because we love the students and want to empower them to create and reach their dreams. At the beginning of every school year I ask students to make vision boards. We practice meditation almost every day. We discuss the Insight Timer quotes I put on the board. I don't assign homework except reading. If students don't want to do a particular assignment, they don't have to because I offer many creative extra credit opportunities. I tell them that I want them to be strong readers so they can learn anything they want to learn, and I want them to be strong writers so that they can defend themselves and their families (against unjust laws, etc.)

You are speaking to me! I needed this in this moment.

This is so important for everyone to hear. My eyes have been open for several years now however this so hits home with me. Thank you Katrina ❤️

Dear Katrina, thank you for addressing this topic. I have a son, 15, who went to a Waldorf school up to grade 8. This year he is a Freshman at a public high school (the local Waldorf does not teach high school). Like for your son, the system is not made for him (but it worked great for me;). Waldorf education taught him to read, to write and count without being tested and compared with others, but letters and numbers started very confusing for him. (Although it kind of happens naturally between the kids, they compare amongst themselves. And my son did tell me at times that he was not smart like the others). José Léo was best at cooking and for his motor skills (riding a bike, skate board, scooter and eventually a motocross bike). His 8th grade year long project was to build a racing track and modify his motocross assisted by a mentor (the 27 year old neighbor also a fan of motocross). He was very successful at this school project.
Your talk is really helping me to re-think my current approach with José Léo regarding high school. I’ve always been real with him but lately I have fallen into the system that he needs to graduate from high school to get a good job! 😢 Instead of encouraging him to learn about his passions, while sticking to reading, writing and counting. The current system is so not about that. The irony is that even though the system worked for me, I have 4 University diplomas. What I do and live from is paint. I’m a self-taught artist. 😂 His other dad is an attorney but his real passion is the farm. So he is tending an orchard. I think you are right to emphasize the importance of modeling and the importance of looking at the big picture. I’ll stick to helping him to read, write and count in relation to whatever he is passionate about. And I vote for a woman like you to become the Minister of Education! ❤️❤️❤️