Listening to Learn with a Bold New Commitment to Clarity
“Uncle Matt? Hi! Can you talk?”
Teaching runs deep in my family. My mom and aunt were teachers, and when I followed in their footsteps, they couldn’t have been prouder. So, when my niece recently joined the ranks, it filled me with satisfaction. Just the other day, she shared a video of her classroom. Newer to the profession her excitement and uncertainty are palpable.
She followed up by calling me because she wanted to discuss something that had caught her off guard. During a back-to-school professional development session, the faculty delved into the topic of late work—a conversation that quickly heated up, with a strong focus on “policies.” This word, heavy with implications of compliance and authority, contrasted with my niece’s more collaborative approach, grounded in mutual respect and agreements with her students. After our call ended, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just one of many critical discussions that hopefully we are having before students arrive. Otherwise, it is likely to be overshadowed by more pressing issues which likely could be headed off with these early conversations and agreements. I share my niece’s idealism and agree that it is vital for teachers, administrators, and parents to unite and have a shared vision, working together for the best interests of students. Otherwise, an already complex world becomes even more difficult to navigate.
Open Dialogue, One Key to Student Well-Being
Writing this is not meant to be limiting. It really isn’t about my niece’s school or even late work policies and protocols. Rather, it is about the critical nature of sharing a unified vision and mission, understanding how important it is that we are in alignment and that we are as consistent as possible with expectations and follow through. This is what allows students a bit of space to relax. A space which is increasingly more and more needed in our world today. When we all are on the same page, our cohesion fosters student growth, reinforces core values, and helps students achieve beyond their school goals. Hopefully there is then a transfer into all areas of their lives, now and in the future.
A recent reputable education journal (I won’t say which one, nor will I share the title) featured a piece where a teacher professed how she hard and fast, simply would not allow AI this year. Such conversations on whether or not we allow students to use AI, largely should be mute. I say this, because simply we cannot (nor should we try) stop the use of AI. This is not pessimism speaking, but rather reality. And if we cannot stop it, there is even more impetus to educate on how to responsibly use it.
Consistency as a Compass
The more my niece talked, the more she seemed to be drilling deeper down in dismay about her school’s inconsistency and scattered beliefs about late work. I assured her that schools across the globe; public and independent are in a similar situation. When I asked her for some cold and hard data, I was grateful for her passing along a Google Sheet where teachers responded to the prompt, “Please add your late work policy for your classroom to this document by tomorrow morning.”
My niece was right. There was a wide degree of difference. I decided to use ChatGPT 4.0 to analyze the data and here is what was generated:
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Strict No Acceptance: Some policies state that late work will not be accepted at all unless prior arrangements have been made, emphasizing the importance of meeting deadlines without exceptions. Harsh Penalties: Several policies impose significant grade deductions, such as a 10% penalty per day or up to 50% off for work submitted late, which can be severe for students who miss deadlines. High Flexibility: On the other end, some policies allow late work to be submitted at any time, with minimal or no penalties, or even full credit up until a certain cutoff (like the end of the quarter). |
In Eurasia Review Mir Hassan and Malik Kumail write, “ In an era of constant change, consistency remains the compass that guides students on their educational journey, laying the groundwork for a successful and fulfilling life.” These faculty responses depicted that there was little consistency. Maybe a bit of vision was lacking too. Some teachers possibly could see the forest through the trees whereas, others only saw the trees. This left me wondering, with such a mixed bag of visions and practices, how confusing might this be for students?
“Here I can. There I can’t. Tomorrow is okay but not in two days. 10% in his class and 50% in hers.”
I decided to speak to a colleague at another school and enquired about how their school treats late work. She shared, “Not all faculty could agree. However, since the decision was made, they all agree on the importance of being consistent.” Her school subtracts 5% per day after the due date, but not more than 35%.
Discourse Across Difference
Maybe one of the questions we should be considering is, “How might we provide greater clarity of expectations to and for students?” To do so, means we begin conversations like my niece was having. This undoubtedly requires listening but also flexibility. Something may have to give. And that something might just be us!
Global Online Academy’s (GOA) mission is to reimagine learning to enable students to thrive in a globally networked society. Recently, they announced several new courses will be offered. One is titled, “Discourse Across Difference.” How valuable might this be! For my niece’s school but for all of us? The course description reads, “Our increasingly interconnected, globally networked society presents us with complex social, political, and ethical dilemmas. This course equips students with strategies for engaging such issues through constructive dialogue focused on building understanding across differences…” How much better off might we be if we begin to have more of these conversations and eagerly begin to listen to learn?
I continue to reflect on my conversation with my niece. What is most clear, is that these conversations are more than what they appear. Ultimately, how we have them, can similarly occur in our classrooms. This is the learning environment our students need. As educators, we have a responsibility to cultivate clarity and consistency in our expectations. This begins with the discussions we have among ourselves. If we’re willing to listen and adapt, to see beyond our classrooms and consider the broader impact of our decisions, maybe we can create more supportive and cohesive experiences for our students. The Need for
Courage and Openness in a BANI World
In the post-Cold War era and the 1980s, the VUCA model (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) appeared. Few would disagree how the world seemingly become even more VUCA-filled. Yet, WU Executive Academy imparts how post-COVID-19, VUCA has evolved to BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, Incomprehensible). Barbara Stöttinger, the dean of WU Executive Academy is not pessimistic. “BANI can be answered by the skills that we call ‘pioneers’ qualities…’ Successful leaders must face their own emotions and anxieties to prevail.” Courage and openness towards new things are two necessary traits.
Could we, as educators, take a page from my niece’s book? Being courageous and open enough to start these essential conversations. And then to reflect on them. Ones that call for less “my way” and more curiosity, flexibility, and collaboration. Our students’ best interests depend on it.
The Quest for Authentic School Identity
This year our school marks 75 years, and at our first meeting, we began with something simple but powerful. After ample opportunity to swap summer stories, we slowed ourselves enough to come to a complete pause. In the silence, the true identity of our community came into focus. The activity, one of strategic planning, struck me as we considered not so much the importance of where we’ve been or even where we are presently. The emphasis instead was on WHO we are! Gaining such clarity was not just for us; but for the students.
As a high school teacher, I consider myself fortunate to have taught in seven schools, on five continents, each with its own identity. Knowing a school’s identity matters and surprisingly, or not, the story being told by marketing and web pages sometimes is not what exactly plays out “on the ground.” Years ago I simplified the international school scene into what is often referred to as a tiered system. I have since traded this in for the concept of “fittingness.” Certain regions may be considered as having the “best” packages. Others may have reputations and even tout premiership because they funnel more students into Ivy schools. Whatever the case, it all is rather superfluous. Instead, I prefer to consider a school’s identity, whether or not they really are doing what they say they are, and what ultimately is the best fit for me. The school with me and me with the school.
The activity we were doing this opening day was a reflection upon the type of school we were: price, product, or process? For decades, Independent School Management (ISM) has called it a basic marketing truth and advises, “private-independent schools can compete on the basis of price, product or process, but not on the basis of all three at the same time”. We silently looked upon the following, asking ourselves, “Who are we?”
Unified Purpose in Value-Based Schools
Price or Value-Based Schools are often faith-based. They focus on shared values and community. Tuition is lower, making them accessible. In the value-based school where I taught, the community was close-knit. Education was far more than the math, science, and social studies students learned. It was about morals and ethics too. Though we had the benefit of being a small school, I could say with confidence that everyone—staff, students, parents—shared the same purpose. Staying true to this identity means keeping that sense of belonging strong and making sure the school’s values show in everything it does.
Pressure and Performance in Product Schools
Product Schools are predominately centered on academics. They take in top students and push for the best results. It’s tough, and the stakes are high. In the product school I experienced, the ethos was one of “learn, learn, learn.” The pressure was constant—on both students and teachers. But the results were there: top colleges and high test scores, however sometimes at the cost of joy. However, this need not be the case. Staying true to this identity means keeping up the academic rigor but also remembering that there’s more to education than just grades. Balance matters.
Understanding Our Process School Identity
Process Schools focus on how students learn, not just what they learn. They help students find their strengths and give them the support they need. It’s about opportunities and students being encouraged to dabble in a little bit of everything. Personalization and belonging are both cornerstones, as is the importance of keeping class sizes smaller.
As we looked at the chart and reflected, it appeared so clear to me that we are a process school. However, I was keenly interested to hear from colleagues as we turned and talked. A few shared comments that leaned towards us maybe being more of a product school. “Preparatory” after all was in our school’s name. These conversations were quite beneficial as the space created was not filled with efforts to convince one another. Rather, to more fully examine perspectives and better define who we are as a school.
The Lesson of Pole Pole
I’ve learned this: a school must stay true to who it is. Whether it’s built on community values, driven by academic success, or focused on each student’s journey, the mission has to be lived every day. As teachers, our job is anything but simple, however, it is essential that what we believe matches what we do. That’s how you build a strong school, where everyone can thrive. Schools living up to their mission and vision is akin to climbing a mountain, it’s not about rushing. This summer as I climbed with students to nearly 20,000 feet, I learned an essential phrase in Swahili, “Pole pole,” which means go slowly. Might there be value in reminding ourselves of Peter Senge’s famous law from the Fifth Discipline, “Slower is faster”? Regardless of your type of school, taking time with students is fundamental.
Pole Pole. Afterall, it is how relationships are formed.
Wherever you might be in the world, as summer wanes and another school year gets underway, I hope you might similarly reflect on your school’s identity. Furthermore, may your year with students be enjoyable as you climb up the “mountain.” With care and purpose, keeping eyes and hearts fixed on what truly matters. Not the summit but students and the learning journey before you!
Pole Pole.
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Peeling Back the Layers of Teacher Appreciation
Are educators really appreciated? Tomorrow, May 10, marks the end of Teacher Appreciation Week. In the early years, appreciation can be quite pervasive, little ones sharing handwritten notes with big hearts and occasionally there is the parent who shares a thank you note. Oftentimes for just a day, or sometimes for a week, schools recognize Teacher Appreciation to celebrate and honor teachers for their dedication and hard work. A nice gesture and yet as a career educator, I cannot help but ponder the true value society pays to teachers.
Until 2013 no one was measuring teacher status. Enter the Varkey Foundation and its mission to improve standards of education and also raise the status and capacity of teachers throughout the world. The measurement tool they developed is called the Global Teacher Status Index (GTSI). The GTSI is a score between 0 and 100 and the number summarizes information from teacher surveys using Principal Component Analysis. China scored the highest with a perfect score of 100. Really China? Whereas Brazil and Israel were at the other end of the spectrum at just 1 and 6.5 respectively. The United States fell somewhere in the middle with a score of 39. Since the Varkey Foundation’s origins, GTSI is now being used with 35 countries. Interestingly enough, key findings in the United States report include:
- The U.S. public believes teachers are not paid a fair wage and should earn at least $7500 more annually
- 50% of respondents also believe teachers should earn based on student performance
- 78% believe teachers are influential, the fourth highest of all countries surveyed
- When US respondents were asked to rank 14 professions including doctors, nurses, librarians, and social workers in order of respect (with 14 being the highest and 1 the lowest), headteachers were ranked the 6th lowest of all the countries surveyed
So, there is evidence of how the status of teachers in the United States can improve.
Recognition Runs the Gamut
Having taught every grade from three to twelve, in public and private, rural and urban settings, as well as in three States and four countries outside of the United States, it is a bit surprising how teacher appreciation is similarly experienced. Even across the decades. Appreciation or recognition is a sort of hit or miss. Imperative is that we as educators have it within ourselves. Appreciation. For ourselves and the not only noble but extremely impactful profession. I say “hit or miss” because the experience is largely dependent on administration and parent committees. Even at the same school, a teacher could have a completely different feel from one year to the next. In one school I taught, teacher appreciation simply meant the delivery of a typed form letter in our mailbox from our principal. Completely impersonal. At another school, with a legion of teachers, we all received a plastic baggie of homemade, albeit stale, cookies. I’ve received Starbucks gift cards for $10. A delicious array of food for a luncheon one year. A the same school, the very next year, a masseuse was at school all day and we could sign up for 20-minute chair massages. In another school, a last-minute attempt was made to put on a lunch, barely a step up from the cafeteria. One year I remember how teachers were able to select two gifts from a wide array of offerings. I chose the $20 gift card to my favorite local coffee shop and a bottle of whiskey. Yep, there was an assortment of hard liquors. Teacher appreciation and recognition run the gamut. Far from standardization and absolutely a reflection of a school’s culture. Possibly a small act or even a big effort, however as a teacher I would venture to guess that I am not alone in stating that it does mean something to us.
Whatever is done, if anything, what is important is that teachers truly feel appreciated. That was definitely not the case at the school where the mediocre lunch was served. To top it off, the first people in the lunch line were not even teachers!
Insights from a Hybrid Educator
In person, I facilitate one section of grade 12 capstone. During the pandemic and ever since, I have enjoyed teaching two courses for an online school as well. In a certain sense, this hybrid role allows me to sit on the periphery of traditional mainstream education. Almost like a meteorologist, I see the storms coming, often how they make landfall, and yet I never get “wet.” Keen always to learn, when I hear about opportunities in education or they cross my screen, I want to know more. One such example that recently appeared as a recommendation on my LinkedIn feed, led me to to reflect more on this topic of teacher status and appreciation. Curiously I looked at the job description and how this “leading ed-tech company” was helping districts and schools address staffing shortages and also expanding school’s course offerings. They were looking for a part-time teacher who would be on a 1099 contract. This means there are no benefits and in effect a large percentage would end up being paid in taxes. The role was to teach grade 9-12 students AP courses via Zoom. A prospective applicant could appreciate how they explicitly outline the expected time commitments. “In a typical week for one section, online teachers can anticipate their core work as teaching (four hours) and planning/grading (about two hours). Online teachers also engage in coaching, professional development, and recurring team meetings (typically one hour on average per week, though varies week-to-week) for a total weekly commitment of six to seven hours.” The pay? $40 an hour. That means approximately $300 a week. Or, post taxes more like $200. I don’t know about you and where you live but $200 does not cover a whole lot. Is this a reflection of the low status of educators? Possibly a mere glimpse of the true value not being “paid” to teachers.
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Approaching the “Finish Line”: Lessons from Reflectors, Savings, and Hawaii
What might I share that will be worth your time to read? For many teachers (and students!) energies and attention right now are being funneled into the finish of yet another academic year. Though there is so much still to be wrapped up, the end will likely come quickly. In an effort to finish the year strong, let us look more closely with wisdom at what appear to be three completely unrelated items: reflectors, savings, and Hawaii. Hopefully not only a connection becomes clear but also an understanding of the necessity to prioritize a vision of the future tempered with an intention to live in the here and now.
What If I told You a Reflector Could Save Your Life?
While I was in university, one outdoor outing particularly stood out. As I traipsed across a snowy mountainside, not a care in the world, in an instant I found myself facing nature’s wrath in a battle for survival. Underfoot, an unstable mass of snow broke free, followed by a deafening roar. The cloud of snow and ice hurtled to catch me, faster than 320 kilometers (200 miles) per hour. Scientists calculate a fully developed avalanche can potentially weigh as much as a million tons. This feeling of despair or race against time might be parallel to a teacher’s experience. We would hope not, but what did Orwell say about reality? That it exists in the human mind, and nowhere else! In the mountains of the western United States alone, there are approximately 100,000 avalanches each year. I would argue, that across our myriad of classrooms, we witness many more “avalanches.” Where time is lost to all meaning, consumed by the suffocating weight of “snow” or “to-dos”.
But, what if…
“What if” is a powerful phrase. Emboldened by infinite possibility, it invites us to explore alternative realities. Those Orwellian possibilities maybe existing in our minds and nowhere else. But, what if, by design, our schools, classrooms, and all that we experience in education were backed in trust? This ultimately comes down to the essentials of establishing strong and meaningful relationships. For outdoors people this may be a “relationship” with their gear, a testament to the saying that there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear. More than 150 brands of outdoor gear utilize a patented reflector (RECCO®) as a rescue technology to help find people lost in the outdoors or buried by avalanches. If something so tiny as a reflector has the potential to save someone’s life, or moreover build trust, what might this say about the potential inherent in our schools and amongst us as educators? The “avalanches” we perceive are far from being unstoppable juggernauts. We have this!
16x is a Lot
Bestselling author James Clear asserts, “Most people need consistency more than they need intensity.” He reflects on how consistency is what ultimately leads to progress. A difference in intensity and consistency is compared to going out to run a marathon versus not missing a workout for two years. Or, jumping cold turkey into a silent meditation retreat as opposed to finding silence daily. Such consistency has a level of patience and also requires discipline. Virtues in a sense and both are also steeped in vision. Recently I was dismayed to read how according to Northwestern Mutual, Americans think they will need $1.46 million to retire. Yet, they have on average only saved $88,000. That is 16x under what they think they need. Sixteen times! Imagine having sixteen times more students. A few years back I felt overwhelmed teaching 104 students. That number would now be 1,664 students! Or, what if we lived 16x longer? 73.4 years would mean 1174.4.
So, ultimately besides consistency, patience, and discipline, a bit of vision is necessary. As educators hopefully, we can see the “finish line.” Some maybe are even preflecting on how they may begin the next academic year. Yet, what we do with today is critical. We cannot afford to miss the here and now. The fact is, the future depends on it!
Determine Your Truth
Though I feel fortunate to call Hawai’i my home, I am not proud to share how the beauty and fragility of resources are largely unprotected. According to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, “As of 2023, Hawai‘i only invests $9 per tourist back in the environment, and less than 1% of the state budget goes towards conservation. We currently face an estimated conservation funding gap of $360 million per year.” Though this example has elements of both reflectors and savings, we consider it for another reason. Ultimately, it is about protection. A friend recently waxed poetically on what he terms the “underbelly” of conservation. Though the word “conservation” has its roots in the Latin “conservationem,” meaning “a keeping, preserving, conserving,” might the word have taken on a different meaning in reality? One with emphasis on “con.” Where charisma, deception, or opportunism are what ultimately courses through the veins. A truth painted by lies.
And how might this relate to us as educators?
As we continue to drown in information, artificial or not, we are being summoned to think. To read and watch widely and to listen to learn. One mandatory course within The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) to support this is the Theory of Knowledge (TOK). Students take TOK to develop critical thinking skills by analyzing knowledge claims and to gain interdisciplinary understanding by exploring connections between different subjects. Within the context of the College Board, the Advanced Placement (AP) Seminar is similar to TOK, seeking for students to develop critical thinking, research, and communication through interdisciplinary exploration of complex topics. Regardless of the curriculum, a school subscribes to, the intention is for students to be able to determine truth. Their truth. This is only possible if we take time to reflect critically on not only what we might know or think we know. It also requires us to pay close attention to the diverse ways of knowing and a multitude of perceptions.
So, slow down. Listen a little harder and look. Though the “finish line” is in full sight, go slow to go fast. And enjoy the “ride.”
Our Mindset and Actions are Omnipotent
As we navigate the tumultuous currents and possibly perceived “avalanches” of education, let us not overlook the significance of reflection but also a deep understanding of the necessity to prioritize a vision of the future tempered with an intention to live in the here and now. Building trust, fostering consistency, and embracing patience are all necessary ingredients to this recipe we call “education.” Just as a tiny reflector embedded in our jacket (RECCO®) has the potential to save our lives, our mindsets and actions are omnipotent. Instead of counting down the days, might we delve into the depths of critical thinking with students, and embrace the moments we have left with absolute intentionality and purpose? “Your mission (insert your name), should you choose to accept it, is to serve as a beacon of guidance, inspiring those you teach to navigate the complexities of the world with purpose, integrity, and joy.”
I accept.
IN THE RHYTHM OF NATURE: EMBRACING PATIENCE IN EVERYDAY LIFE
“Place-based education? We have it all,” a colleague recently quipped. Though I agree, I am not so declarative. Instead, I seemingly find myself routinely in quiet appreciative contemplation of the place I live. Fittingly, this past week a friend shared an invitation to attend a storytelling event titled, “Where I Live.” Several eloquent stories were told and afterward, I was left considering my own stories.
As much of the world transitions out of Winter and into Spring, central to “my story” is the role of patience. Akin to deciduous trees which lose their leaves and go into a sort of hibernation, the changing of seasons even in the Tropics, provides us an opportunity to become more aware, grounded, and maybe even grateful. So long as we are patient. Years ago I gave up the snow and cold, so trees shedding their leaves is no longer a part of my autumn-to-winter experience. Instead, winter now signifies whales, waves, and wind. “The original www (World Wide Web),” I kid.
Learning from Great Masters
I awaken exhilarated not from the deep rest but by visions of how the Pacific stretches in the early morning unwrinkled, illuminated in various hues of blue. Paddling out on my 11-foot board I often stand alone, watching whales. Humpback whales to be precise. Approximately 10,000 whales make the 10,000-mile sojourn each year. More will leave than arrive, as these warm waters are for breeding. The whales will eat nothing while here. Yet, upon their return to polar waters, they can consume up to 3,000 pounds of food daily! Though such facts intrigue me, it is the humpbacks’ size and grace that motivates me to paddle out and wait. Rebecca Giggs, author of “In Fathoms: The World in the Whale,” she describes whales as complex and enormous, with lives and abilities that make them masters of the seas. To see a whale is to feel veneration.
Some days I see no whales. Yet, I paddle out whenever possible, pleased to patiently wait. Usually, there is complete silence until I hear air being expelled, sometimes the blow results in a cascade of mist. Legally, one is not allowed to get closer than 100 yards from a whale. Atop a 3-inch table of epoxy, nor would not be wise to be aside the hulking mass of 60,000 pounds. However, there have been times when an utter sense of awe rivaled my patience, and whales have approached me. Gliding beneath and sometimes aside me, more than one whale has risen, rolled on her side, and met my stare. To look into the eye of a whale ensues much emotion and, primordial connection. It is patience, the wait for such encounters that allows for such reverence.
Waves are Nature’s Patience Test
Just as winter means whales, the season also brings world-class waves to the isles. During December, January, and February storms brew far north in the Pacific, sending long, rolling swells. Waves sometimes towering over 20 feet high, crash onto the north and west shores. A common refrain from Civil Defense is “Heed all advice from ocean safety officials. When in doubt, don’t go out.” Yet, it is times like these that resonate most with a surfer’s heart, maybe even speeding it up a beat. High surf is more invitation than warning. Regardless of how active the ocean is, surfing requires patience. At least surfing the “right wave.” Either prostrate or sitting atop an even smaller board, many factors are taken into consideration. The wave’s shape and size are a priority. Also how the crest peels is important, so it is not too steep. Speed is weighed in, fast but not too fast, or maintaining balance may be difficult. To ride a wave is often a fleeting moment, followed by a great deal of work paddling back out and through crashing waves. World class South African Surfer, Shaun Tomson says it best, “Surfing teaches patience. On land, surfers cannot will a swell to appear. They have to wait for nature to make the call. So surfers wait. They keep their eyes on the horizon and they wait.” Sitting astride my board, staring as far as my eyes can see, the sun sinking low. These moments in wait are sometimes as enjoyable as gliding atop the wave.
Chilled by the Wind and Rain of Kīpuʻupuʻu
Where I live, over two thousand feet above the ocean, the weather can be described as windy or windier. There is no happenstance that the mascot of the school where I teach is kamakani, “wind” in Hawaiian. Trade winds, blowing from NE to ENE direction account for 70% of all winds in Hawaii. The origins of the name “trade winds” date back to the mid-15th century to the mid-17th century and what is called, the Age of Exploration and Overseas Expansion. Sailors recognized the trade winds as a reliable way to navigate and they used the predictable easterly winds for westward voyages across the open oceans. Though summer months may in effect be even windier, it is the type of wind that has me equate winter with wind. Kīpuʻupuʻu, one of at least 58 names for the different winds of Hawai‘i Island, is specific to this place high in the hills and means “chilly wind and rain.” These winds and rain are known for their side-sweeping direction. Patience has a role when Kīpuʻupuʻu winds and rain prevail. One must not imagine hard, knowing how verdant and sweeping hills will illuminate and birds will fill the air in song.
Asked to Change the Rules of the Game
Telling “my story,” I think about how place plays a pivotal position. So too does patience. A lifelong lover of basketball, I helped coach “women’s” basketball this past winter. “Women’s” is wrapped in quotes because it is yet another “w”. Several moments stand out from the season and yet one is indelibly etched as “to be remembered.” A moment that required patience. A player challenged, “If we just hit the top corner of the box, can we count that?” The question, asked honestly, came amidst a drill where players kept missing what is termed “the easiest shot in basketball,” standing 45 degrees and just three feet from the basket. This was a lesson ultimately based on geometric laws. An example of compound motion which combines vertical and horizontal motion. The ball is heaved, follows a three-dimensional trajectory, bounces off the backboard, and goes through the rim and eventually the net. Two points. If only you use the backboard, the keys being the angle of incidence and angle of reflection. Mastering this shot, called a “bank shot” requires a bit of understanding of angles, distance, and also timing. Yet, true mastery comes through repetition and muscle memory. This very drill might just have been “the magic” behind why shooting averages improved so much.
However, at this penultimate practice, the player whether earnestly or entitled asked, “If we just hit the top corner of the box, can we count that?” yearned to shortcut not only the rules of the game but the very essence of geometry itself. My dumbfoundedness resulted in the space for players to ask about spin, height, ball pressure, etc., and how these all might need to be factored in. True, true, and true. And yet, counting a basket meant scoring it. So, “NO! We could not just hit the top corner of the box and count it!” Though I wanted to scream, “Just do the drill,” I calmly bit my bottom lip; somehow, somewhere finding the necessary level of patience to listen, respond kindly, and refocus players’ attention on the mechanics necessary to score.
Letting Patience Be a Unifying Force
Basketball season is over, the winds are settling down, the waves waning, and the whales are all headed north and eastward. I sit contemplatively, reflecting on a life deeply connected to nature’s rhythms. Patience emerges as a guiding principle and I will it blossom. Already I am excited to await another winter and the majestic return of whales and exhilarating waves. Patience is a necessity. The Kīpuʻupuʻu sweeping across the hills and the moments on the basketball court helped me realize the value of this patience. My understanding but also hope, is to understand how every experience shapes a distinct narrative, and how it is patience that holds the potential to serve as a unifying force. If we can be comfortable, if even for just a little while, to step aside, wait, listen, and learn. Only then will places be in a prime position to teach us.
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AN END TO GATEKEEPING AS WE SOAR INTO 2024
My final article of last year was a contemplation of the need for a radical shift in education, advocating for a departure from traditional structures. One focused on responsibility and an optimistic mindset. Without focused intention, I seemingly then followed up by writing about the underpinning importance of spirit and the value of authenticity. At midnight tonight, we will welcome 2024 and I am curious what the year ahead holds in store. My best guess? An increasing awareness and an availing of oneself in an age where gatekeeping no longer has a place. The word “gatekeeper” may just be the quintessence of 2024.
The Continual Changing Landscape of Education
The past week on several occasions the word “gatekeeper” surfaced. It is highly sensical too when we consider how anyone is now able to self-publish. Consider the ubiquity of not only social media but how an individual can reach over 160 million people/followers on a platform like TikTok. Or, how Tik Tok now has over 1 billion subscribers! Further, consider the rise of the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and how it continues to revolutionize content creation. Not only is it faster and more efficient, but it also is becoming more accurate. The point is, if you have something to share, you not only have an audience but are free to share.
Essentially, gatekeeping is defined as the practice in which a hierarchy of power holds power and can limit access. My initial understanding of how the world was changing in a very practical sense occurred as I traipsed the world back in 2011. Irrespective of location, be it in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco or the Amazonian River Basin of Ecuador the response to, “How did you learn English?” was always the same. “English” could be substituted for beekeeping, dancing, cooking, or any other skill, and yet the response was always…
“YouTube.”
Long gone are the days when an institution, course, or teacher is necessary. Nor is the cost of learning a deterrent. An internet connection and time are all that are required. Individuals with the will to learn something, anything, have been doing it for more than a decade. This second millennium allows us the opportunity to move through time and space differently. Access, not gatekeeping is where we are now. And access even to what is considered “the best.” For example, Yale no is longer limited to just Yale students. “In recent years, Yale has expanded its offering, including the online Coursera classes which are estimated to have over one-and-a-half million students in 2023.” Specific to education, the term gatekeeping is about controlling the rate at which students progress to more advanced levels of study in the academic setting. Thankfully, learning as we know it, is no longer limited to institutional settings. Not only can we learn anything, from anyone, anywhere, and at any time, but we are also free to progress at the most fitting rate.
Technology’s Influence Unveils a World of Choice
One might go so far as to say there is a “movement” underway. One rooted in choices. Just consider how we continue to see an upswell in such choices as this abbreviated list:
- Online Learning Platforms: Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Khan Academy
- Micro-Credentials and Badges
- Homeschooling and Unschooling
- MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses
- Gamified Learning
*Note: Udemy alone registered 870 million course enrollments as of June 2023
Inherent in each is the removal of the traditional gatekeeper. Such choices have however elicited a question concerning credentials and their verification. James Mattiace expounds in The Global Credentialing Landscape: Messy, Massive and Meaningful, “The world is getting more complex. Different countries are adapting their educational and professional certification programs and there is a proliferation of fraudulent credentials, which will likely get worse before it gets better as we enter an increasingly AI-infused world.” Whatever the case, we need not be reminded that there continues to be great value in access to non-traditional, credit and non-credit learning experiences continues to increase.
Education’s Real-World Power
It might serve us to follow the mindset of influential worldwide leader, Jeff Bezos. On more than one occasion he shared, “I have learned to use the word ‘impossible’ with great caution.” 2024 is about possibility. Not only are all things possible, but quite probable. A look at the “real world” tells us so. As part of my formal training as an educator we were assigned to read Paulo Freire’s “Pedagogy of the Oppressed.” Though the book had a profound impact on me, it was minimal in comparison to what I learned from my practicums and working in a diversity of settings. Settings that were very different from the theoretical university classroom or that which I had experienced growing up. Over the course of a year, I would experience four 3-month rotations in settings where I would be with children growing up oppressed. In schools where students were the sons and daughters of seasonal migrant workers, in schools where 100% of the students received free lunch (and often breakfast too!), and also in schools where I would support severely and differently-abled students who were mainstreamed. This was the “real world”. The best teacher would be the setting and the children, in accordance with what Freire believed education to be. An education that he quoted as “freedom.” Not the formal school curriculum which he distrusted. This quote, “Education is freedom” is as timeless as it applies to today. A learning which supersedes the heads and hearts of academics, but is more about the hands and feet on the ground. It is about doing the work now. A clear realization and also trust that all that is needed already exists. Pivotal in this is the reality of humanity’s resilience. To attempt to hold this back, or in other words “gatekeep” is misguided.
Answers Not in Dollars but in “Sense”
“You hear that Mr. Anderson?” is a memorable line from The Matrix that many readers might remember. The query comes as Agent Smith holds Neo’s (Mr. Anderson) hand on the train track. The sound of the train thunders towards them. “That is the sound of inevitability!” threatens Smith. Yet, Neo defies the odds and does not succumb to death. His strength is akin to what is held in store for today’s youth. Africa’s youth but one possessor of the palpability of power, wisdom, and resilience. Such spirit can be seen in Ugandan children’s dancing. The video is not meant to be tokenism nor reductionist but simply showcase the electrified sense of vibrancy, life, and possibility. The children soon will be part of Africa’s working force. I hope that the remnants of colonialism will not act as gatekeepers.
By the late 2030s, sub-Saharan Africa’s working-age population will reach 1 billion. Though India overtook China this past year, both with nearly one and a half billion people, sub-Saharan Africa’s population will soon outrank both. What might this mean? Hopefully a compelling sense of urgency to invest educationally. And yet, how this might look, might require a bit more imagination or possibly radical simplification. A desire to color outside the lines, and not necessarily abide by unsustainable practices traditionally attempting to place band-aids on gaping wounds. Instead, how might we create choices within communities? Tap into the expertise and wisdom of elders. The answers are not in dollars but in sense. The sense of inside out and not outside in. An understanding that everything needed already exists.
Might 2024 not only be a decline in gatekeeping but also a greater realization the world over, of our greatness. The Master Persian Poet Rumi said it best:
“You were born with greatness. You were born with wings. You are not meant for crawling, so don’t. You have wings. Learn to use them and fly.”
So, let us soar into 2024.
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“URGENT” COP28 AND EDUCATION: BETWEEN ILLUSION AND IMPERATIVE
Just yesterday I was asked by a student’s parent, “If you could wave a magic wand at anything in education, what would it be?” Being in a continual state of reflection of all-things-education, I did not hesitate to answer on a more global scale. What tops the “in need of a magic wand” list for me is authenticity. This includes the overemphasis on standardized testing (high-stakes college admissions tests too!), as well as the need for education to serve as a mechanism for “real world” applications. After our conversation, I thought back on an article I wrote in April of 2021 for Getting Smart titled, “Transforming the Landscape of Education”. In it, I alluded to “personalization, authenticity, and transferability”. As I attempted to make more sense of all I observed on a recent visit to Dubai, I used the same “trifocal” lens.
The point of a December visit to Dubai was to attend COP28 and the United Nations Climate Change Conference. The fact that Dubai hosted COP28 was not only ironic but may have added insult to injury. Past summits have not exactly resulted in an active addressing of global climate change. The need to “walk the talk” is entirely relatable to educational rhetoric. A close friend of mine is increasingly growing impatient with dialogue. He shared the proverb “ready, fire, aim,” a reminder to not delay any longer in taking action. It is likely to fare even better than planned action. There may even be truth behind the devil smiling when we sit and make plans. Besides, don’t we already know enough about the problems, to know what to do?
A past colleague shared recently how the director of his school boldly decided to add Capstone and Advanced Placement (AP) curricula to their existing International Baccalaureate program. Not because it was best for students but because the school, the director used the word “business,” is in a “saturated market.” Keeping up with the Joneses and a dependency on economic models may not be the best strategy for the long game and is not in the best interest of preparing learners for the exciting and uncertain times we already face. Rather, the nexus is in providing students with pathways of personalization. Where the learning they do makes a difference today and prepares them for tomorrow. Albeit, as tangible as growing vegetables or doing interview projects with the elderly. Approaches akin to this are about inclusivity and equity. Not exactly a pervasive feeling in Dubai, where upon arrival at the airport the taxi driver professed, “Dubai is for rich people.” This was a sensible claim after my near interrogation and uncovering how he works 10 months a year, 7 days a week, and 12 hours a day. On a purely commission basis and in a country with no minimum wage, if my Math was correct, his annual earnings are around $14,000.
Stripping Away All Pretense
Though I was in Dubai for just a week, I came away feeling like it could be summed up in a single word. Mirage. A rather ostentatious one too. Though it is clean, an international business hub, and virtually faces none of the social ills such as homelessness and drug abuse plaguing so many cities in the United States, I quickly brushed up against a reality not congruent with the facade. A city of superlatives. The world’s tallest building, biggest fountain, etc., etc. Skin-deep appearances are to be kept. Handbags which cost thousands of dollars, possibly as much as the annual salary of a taxi driver, and flashy sports cars. Dubai is about a mortgaging of the future and an incessant development of Herculean scale. The United Arab Emirates is an immigrant nation, where just 12% of the population is Emirati. A nation built literally out of the sand in just five decades. Income inequality and labor rights remain chief concerns. Head wounds that seldom even receive bandaids. One must not dig deep to learn more about how powerful and profitable construction companies are. As well as their omnipotence. Often, the businesses and the government are one.
Before this year’s climate talks, there were already reports of labor rights abuses at the very site of COP28. Built to host EXPO 2020, the European Parliament boycotted the event and called on Member States to not participate because of human rights abuses. Even with an abundance of glitz and glamor, a visitor need not strain their eyes to see inequity. Lining the highways are labor camps, and concrete housing structures more resembling prisons than homes. Yet, employers who have 50 or more employees and pay less than AED 1,500 per month (approximately $400) are required to offer housing. There are even more labor camps out of sight and surely out of mind. After all, most visitors to Dubai are here to see what they want to see. Nonetheless, the city skyline, technological advancements, and recent sustainable labels attached to nearly everything are marked by contradiction. In a twisted manner, sustainability is being employed. “Political and business leaders in the UAE understand that burnishing environmental credentials are incredibly important for presenting the country and cities like Dubai as modern,” says Professor Natalie Koch, a specialist in political geography at Syracuse University. Regardless of whether or not the truth is being told and/or sold, there are two things humanity is unable to run from. They are truth and the future.
What the future holds for the United Arab Emirates appears to be precarious. Even more so, as “development” shows no intention of decelerating. Sands shifting is a very real phenomenon, even if left undisturbed, “sands are in constant motion” determined by a recent study published in Nature Communications. What might this say about cities springing out of the desert in such a short time? The impact of millions of people has the sands unfathomably shifting. Ecological disruption, waste, extreme temperatures, and water scarcity are as “authentic” as the sun’s morning rays. The extremes one would expect of a desert are ignored, attention being directed toward the world’s largest artificial islands, colossal shopping malls, or a top-rated water park. Some of which have the gall to be marked “sustainable” even. How long this delusion might last is only a matter of time. One cannot help but marvel at how befitting 19th-century poet Percy Shelley’s words were in “Ozymandias”. A visionary depiction of collapse. Inevitable decline where the unethical smacking of “sustainable” and other “green” labels is merely pretense.
“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.”
Breaking the Hostage State: Climate Talks, Education, and Action
In education I often find myself asking, “What is normal”? The education system we currently know has been around for only 150 years. A system designed for control and mechanization, we often are encrusted in yesterday’s ways of thinking. Much bolder approaches must be taken. Where there is not only inspiration but aspiration. Where we gladly throw out the bath water to save “the baby.” The design of choices IS ABSOLUTELY POSSIBLE and can happen quite quickly. Consider how in my lifetime humanity has burned 80% of all the fossil fuels ever burnt. Humanity can consume what it wants…and fast!
Climate talks and education are riddled in politics. Commonplace traditional schooling is not being addressed to scale, similar to the accelerated rate the earth is heating up. Neither education nor COP are fully responding. Though the science is clear, how can we applaud the slowing down of burning fossil fuels? A much more immediate plan with actions to stop burning fossil fuels is what is needed. Professor Daniela Schmidt of the University of Bristol sums up the necessary immediacy in action, “The time for talking is over. Delaying change further is indefensible. Pretending that reducing emissions by 2050 is enough and ignores the dangerous, life-threatening consequences of our anthropogenic heating of the planet.” Similarly, it is crucial to prioritize the designing of optimal learning experiences for students NOW, rather than focusing solely on a distant future. United World College is pioneering a course in partnership with the International Baccalaureate called, The Systems Transformation Pathway. It is divided into three components (Core curriculum, Enquiry into impact areas, and Impact area specialization). Though a stand-alone course, the Systems Transformation Pathway is a beginning. One bent on action orientation and focused on authentic real-world learning instead of being classroom-based and exam centered.
The framing of climate talks and movements forward in education must be free of politics. 2500 oil lobbyists at this year’s COP28, a number far more than the indigenous representation, was counterproductive and was purely a positioning for argument. Abolitionist and orator, Frederick Douglass said it best, “At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed.” Could there be more irony that a nation built on oil wealth, spearheading discussions on sustainability and environmental preservation? If that is not scorching enough, consider how COP29 is set to be in a city (Baku, Azerbaijan) where one of the world’s first oil fields developed 1,200 years ago! A coming home or maybe an origin story of sorts, as climate talks bent on transitioning away from fossil fuels are hosted by a nation where oil and gas account for 90% of their exports.
Just as nations face a transformative imperative, shifting from fossil fuels, so too must education. Where we embrace personalization, authenticity, and transferability. Climate talks and the future of education can no longer be held in a “hostage” state. A situation where there is almost a spellbound freezing in one’s tracks. Or worse yet, a dishonest celebration leading to a plan of even more far-flung crisis. Nor can we tolerate any longer the diversionary wag-the-dog approach, where there is an amalgam of calculating, “If others do not act, I don’t have to either.” This is not only self-destructive but devastating to humanity. The time for truth and action is now.
Could COP, “Conference of the Parties,” be a “Championing Of Planet” or might it remain a “Center of Pantomime”? The choice is ours.
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THE INTERSECTION OF NEPOTISM, AI, AND HUMAN INTELLIGENCE: NO SHORTCUTS
Face it, we live in a world of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). Even here in Hawaii, a place where much of the world thinks of as paradise. There is an increasing necessity to not only look at the facts but to apply our HI. No, not HI as in the abbreviated form of Hawaii. Rather, HI as in Human Intelligence. To think for oneself. Not to kid oneself either. Legislation in Hawaii passed in 2010 a requirement that single-family dwellings being built must have solar water heaters. Four years later, all single-use plastic carryout bags were prohibited. As we come upon the tenth anniversary of this ban, we still need to focus and see the forest through the trees. Much remains to be done in Hawaii if we are to truly become more sustainable. The photo above, taken from my home, is but one example. Seeing the whole picture is necessary. A beautiful coastline, open space, and yet the neon green arrow points to where diesel oil burns for energy. A shortcut of sorts.
Education in the AI Era: Shortcuts and Consequences
Recently a colleague encouraged me to install Brisk and Origins as Chrome extensions to detect the misuse of AI and plagiarism. To catch out students who opt for shortcuts. Ultimately though, my energies are more into teaching how to use AI as a thought partner of sorts as from personal experience I’ve garnered an understanding of how AI has the potential to create deeper learning. Surprisingly, however, I have found that many students are reluctant to utilize AI. Though initially drawn to it, students have shared how if used ethically, AI often creates more work. More work? Or, more learning?
An invitation for more “work” is not one usually accepted. Increasingly this appears to be true. As students juggle academics, athletics, the fine arts, and all else whirling in their busy lives I sometimes marvel at the choices being made. For example, many students today have a much more “unique” approach to reading than a few generations ago. Maybe you remember the time, PI (pre-internet), when just had the book and maybe a copy of Spark Notes you purchased in a physical book. Today with the ubiquity of resources, instead of delving into the depths of a book, more traditionally or straightforwardly, students resort to a cunning shortcut. But there are no shortcuts. Watching videos, reading websites, and doing everything BUT reading the book, is a search to reach comprehension without the hassle of exhaustive reading. Ionically this makes the process a whole lot more laborious than just sitting back and reading the book!
Similar to the clever game of intellectual maneuvering to “read” a book, these past months as students apply to universities, I have wondered to what degree students are being used by AI. Opting for the long and winding road, interested in mastering the art of shortcuts, is an inaccurate portrayal being demonstrated to admissions departments? A colleague of mine advises, “Reality will surely strike.” Universities are likely to feel the brunt of who students “really” are and what students can do themselves. AI might be a tool that helps a student jump through the hoop, but once admitted might they be ill-prepared? If so, what might this mean to the future workforce?
The Shortcut Myth
The current conversations of AI and ethics remind me of the nepotism I confronted early in my international teaching career. “But Matthew, Martin is a Dueñas (surname),” chided the director of the school. I was unfamiliar with the power of a last name and had never experienced such favoritism. “Matthew, the Dueñas never fail.” All I knew was that Martin had done nothing all year. He knew, his family knew, and the director knew. Yet, ultimately I would be asked to change his grade. I stood my ground and let the director know that it would have to be her to do such a thing, not me.
There is a Chinese saying that goes “Wealth does not last beyond three generations.” This can be likened to a similar belief depicted in the American expression, “Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations”. Later in my international teaching career I would have a chance to see this adage playing out and would once again confront nepotism. This time, however, in a different region of the world. The fading of generational wealth was evident as I was introduced to hard-working and determined grandparents who were the builders and first generation of wealth. Students’ parents often were the maintainers and were able to preserve the wealth. Yet, various students, the third generation, were either being pushed through their education or accustomed to taking shortcuts. Unaware that there are no shortcuts. Ultimately, they would be inheriting companies and positions of power in which they were ill-equipped to perform. In effect, they were on the path to becoming the squanders of the families’ wealth.
Nepotism, seemingly in the DNA of many cultures and industries, shares a kinship with the advent of AI as a shortcut. They both illustrate a preference for the familiar over the uncharted. Nepotism prioritizes kinship over meritocracy, while AI prioritizes convenience over authenticity and understanding. I continue to be a proponent of AI, recognizing that it is here to stay. It can and should be used as a tool. Also, one of the elephants in the room is the “shortcut myth.” AI may be just as students report, “more work.” However, when leveraged with honesty, as a tool, an addition, not a replacement to our Human Intelligence, results may generate greater opportunities, broader perspectives, and deeper understanding. In contrast to the constraints of nepotism, possibilities loom.
Meanwhile, it may help if we remember, there are no shortcuts.
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MASTERING FIRE WITH WATER: A LESSON IN CREATING EDUCATIONAL SPARKS
Many outdoorsy types, including boy and girl scouts, dream of successfully mastering the age-old art of igniting fire with nothing more than a magnifying glass. What if I told you I started a fire with water?
Nurturing Trust and Agency: The Cornerstones of Inclusive Education
As educators, we invest copious amounts of time into planning for the school year and in the first few weeks intentionally creating community in our classrooms. At the forefront, is fostering an inclusive environment where every student’s voice is valued and respected. Listening and truly valuing one another is our hope. As is collaboration and providing multiple opportunities for students to build connections with one another. Yet, at the foundation of everything is a fundamental feeling of trust. A Harvard Business Publishing Education article suggests that activating positive emotions, including trust, among students helps students foster cooperative relationships, build resilience and persistence, and increase motivation. Further, trust is in many ways tethered to agency. Positive and effective learning environments should induce trust. Trust in teachers, classmates, and possibly even in the education system. Of course, however, trust must begin within the individual. Then, there is empowerment. Not being acted upon as if to say, “I am giving you the choice.” But from within. This subtle nuance is the spark. It is the sensing of control, “the world is at my doorstep.”
But beyond trust and agency, what are the other necessary ingredients to creating optimal learning environments?
Learning Language, Breaking Barriers: The Role of Authenticity and Place
Recently I was in a high school language classroom and it took me back to my first experience learning Spanish. The class was held in a lecture hall where I sat passively amongst 200 other students as the professor stood up front and rattled on incomprehensibly. Feeling academically wounded, I would then limp over to the language lab. Here, a teacher’s assistant would open a sliding glass window to enquire about the module. Then, before pushing play on the cassette recorder she would hand over tight-fitting headphones, a #2 pencil, and a scantron sheet. Never was there the ability to pause, let alone stop. The “show” just went on. With a one in four chance, I would guess, weary to have too many Cs blackened. My confusion and being disheartened eventually lost out to a more pervasive feeling. One of repulsion. This is NOT the experience we ever endeavor to create for learners.
Oddly enough, a decade later I would be in the classroom teaching Spanish even though I questioned if language could be learned in a classroom. My sentiment is captured in a timeless parody called, “One Semester Spanish Love Song.” When I last watched, the first comment below the video read, “I took Spanish all the way up to AP Spanish in high school. This song summarizes how much of it I remember.” Might this be because of relevance? Language often is learned by going somewhere. We learn it when we have a purpose. When it is authentic. Furthermore, might there be ties between place-based education and the learning of language? Certainly, a deeper understanding of local culture and environment is integral. This example of learning a language ultimately can be translated into what it means to learn anything. The importance of place, purpose, an individual’s motivation, and authenticity. Ultimately, getting out of the classroom and into much more boundless spaces of learning.
Even if the reality for many teachers remains within four walls, we know learning is like breathing. Students will learn no matter what. So, let’s keep the “air” as clean as possible.
The Container: Creating the Right Conditions
So I did really light a fire with water. I share this because it showcases what is possible with just the right conditions. Might we as educators intentionally create such similar conditions? Where there is a spark and then a fervent fire for learning. Countless times in the past I have filled a gallon glass jug with water and set it in the sun to allow for dechlorination. Recently, I errantly placed it against a dry wooden stump where in the days to come I would water saplings. 18 hours after filling the jug I received a text from our tenant saying, “There was a small brush fire at a tree stump in the front of the house, all put out now and heavily watered down. It was caused by science and a glass water jug which magnified the sun…” He was being generous, the fire was caused by ME! Well, my negligence along with heat, dryness, powerful morning sun rays, and the water’s reflection. Never in my wildest dreams would I have considered the gallon jar of water a fire hazard. Besides being grateful to have learned the lesson the easy way, I thought about how this example speaks volumes about what is possible. What is possible with the right conditions?
So, venture forth to continue to spark inspiration and kindle the flames blazing within your classrooms!
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