38. Several months ago I
wrote a letter to my
superintendent and
colleagues entitled:
Is Rome Burning...?
e illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read an
39. Is Rome Burning...?
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write,
but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”
Alvin Toffler
The first round of testing for the state of Pennsylvania began and ran for three Day 2s last week, and I felt like
Bill Murray in Ground Hog’s Day. I don’t know what the ambiance of the rest of the schools in the district was
like, but Jefferson’s joyful spirit was erased by stress and ennui. How does a place filled with children, beings
to
who are naturally curious, creative, and excited, devolve into anxiety-ridden nervous wrecks? From test ripping
to snacks to placate the unwilling, I have been in a spiritual crisis. I have been crafting this letter in my head
since we were invited to discuss the direction of our district, but I’m speaking from my heart today.
try
Simply, we are headed in the wrong direction. to
I have no vested interest in blaming, criticizing for the sake of criticizing, or taking the position of a powerless
victim. In fact, I’m motivated to engage you, my colleagues, our students, our parents, and our community in
conversations about learning and teaching, relevancy, collaboration, innovation, and vision.
start
At the center of this conversation should be our students. a
We are in the midst of revolutionary changes in all facets of life from the way:
we govern;
conversation
we consume media;
we create content;
we organize politically and socially;
we work;
and how and when and where we learn.
Every major sector in society has experienced a decentralization of authority and power. From the decline of
newspapers to cable TV to the music industry to bookstores. We as schools will not be immune to fundamental
changes. I wonder how we are adapting as an institution? How will we remain relevant? These are the types of
questions that keep me up at night.
As a teacher, I feel my role has shifted significantly since the advent of Google, Youtube, Wikipedia, Facebook,
Twitter, TED, a whole host of Web 2.0 tools, and a new generation of portable devices that have emerged. We
teachers are in the midst of a revolution in the way the creation of knowledge and its transmittal are evolving.
What is the role of the teacher, if knowledge is ubiquitous and can be accessible from anywhere and anytime?
The way of the sage of the stage is out the door.
Is this our Egypt?
This is a wake-up call for teachers to empower ourselves as the architects of innovation. We will need to
40. Which is my I’m
working on this
plan for the
Western
Pennsylvania
Writing Project.
53. SPECIAL THANKS TO...
KARLA WILES, JESSE DEE, CARL
PULLEIN AND ABI JONES FOR
LAYING A FOUNDATION FOR
REIMAGINING RESUMES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
INSPIRATION.
MIKE HLADIO AND SUE CARRIS
FOR HELPING ME EDIT AND
SUPPORTING MY PASSIONS.
54. PHOTO CREDITS
FreeDigitalPhotos.net
3d Latest Flourescent Bulb by jscreationzs
Brain Studies by Boaz Yiftach
Bulb Flower Idea by Danilo Rizzuti
Folder by Salvatore Vuono
Gear by renjith krishnan
Group of Children by jscreationzs
Head by Salvatore Vuono
Teamwork
Flickr Creative Commons
Fail by BulloftheWoods
Sun is Setting by Per Ola Wiberg
Wikimedia Commons
Fail_Fast_Be_Tenacious_Tammy_Camp by Trystanburke
800px-Glass_creativity_finalrevis by LaurMG
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