Progressive Education

The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same

The question that stuck out to me the most was, "As much as things change, they also seem to stay the same."

It seems that no matter how education evolves, the previous generation will always suggest that something from the past is missing. For example, my grandparents cannot comprehend that schools no longer teach children to write in cursive. I mean they get really upset when it's mentioned. But honestly, is there a need for this? Are were producing less productive citizens by not teaching them to connect and loop their letters together? As the world evolves, education must follow. It is our job to ensure that our students are prepared for the real world, so the "fundamentals" also change to meet the needs of the new world. I agree that most knowledge and skills, that are fundamental to life, must remain the cornerstone of our educational system, such as math and reading, but as the world becomes more digital we must teach our children how to survive, thrive, and navigate. And if the content is evolving then it only makes sense that the way the content is delivered changes too. I worked with some veteran teachers last year who were reluctant to integrate social media or other relatable practices into their classrooms. I take the approach my pastor takes to get young people in the church, he says you have to be dynamic. Get them in and then let the teaching keep them in. "Why haven't we seen a more significant change in education?" The 21-22 school year was my first as an educator, but what I learned quickly is that education is political. If the education system provided teachers with creative controls and agency over how to present content, how to encourage authentic and progressive conversations, etc. I honestly believe we'd not only have more intelligent and enlightened students but we'd also have more evolved and tolerant students. The political chokehold that the government has on education is only hurting the students and the future of this country.