Leadership Steps to Ensure a New Future

School is out, or almost out. It is a time of endings and beginnings. High school seniors are moving on, college grads are moving on. I recently went with my daughter to tour my granddaughter Arielle’s new elementary school. She also will be moving on after preschool graduation next week. (I was concerned I would make some slick comments if these little ones wore caps and gowns, fortunately they will be in play clothes).

In any case, we all need to roll up our sleeves and take a more active part in the education of the next generations. The Washington Post article gives food for thought. It is high time we look deeply at the fact that our education system needs renovation. For the most part it is not preparing our youth for the dizzying, whirling world in front of all of us.

Presently we are consulting with the Derry Township school district and the administrative team is tackling the core questions of what else should we be imparting to students past the required curriculum. It is tough and important work and we would like to hear from other educators about the role of the schools in the 21st century.

In the meantime I am watching an open and eager five year old already “liking” her new school. I can only hope she stays open to learning as time goes on.

Donald Kettl hit that proverbial nail smack on! It’s no longer skills for jobs, it’s learning how to learn, how to think. I have seen amazing and relativley fast change come through the dialogue model first started by physicist David Bohm and philosopher Krishnamurti. Here is my “however”. We truly need to start with the bright shiny little ones entering kindergarten who are so open and ready to learn to learn rather than check the boxes. Change is systemic and needs to go way up river so the next generation of college presidents has more wiggle room for innovation.

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