PUBLIC EDUCATION IS DEMOCRACY

From the book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers, by Randi Weingarten;

“Public education is an idea as old as democracy and inextricably linked with it.  The radical idea that instead of being a nation that gives power and knowledge only to kings, we invest in education for all and the common good.

Fascists and autocrats fear what teachers do because they know their brand of greed, hierarchy, and extremism cannot survive in a democracy of diverse, educated citizens.”

Teacher pedagogy defines the vitality of learning experiences for students.  It is a foundational act of solidarity aligned with the beliefs of free people living within a democracy. 

Young minds experiencing learning opportunities in the classroom, that spur imaginative thought, will develop a zeal, within each student, to solve problems and think creatively.  Groups of students working on projects in the classroom can galvanize strong incentives to collaborate and cooperate on vexing issues and problems. Independent thought and collegial relationships are important outcomes that result when students work on project-based educational initiatives at schools.

Empowering students with a good education lends well to the boundless promise of a fulfilled life.  This gives students the potential and opportunity to reach their full capacity as citizens within our country.

Education leads to students being more resolute in their persistence to be engaged in critical thinking to solve real world problems.   Living a good life requires abilities of individuals to transverse nuances of life as we tread our way through the gray areas of the world with blurred boundaries. Education provides skill and abilities that are essential to the process of creating a society that addresses needs of the most vulnerable among us and creates equal opportunities for everyone.

Teachers need the support of the many shareholders in education such as parents, community leaders and administrative governance that can help enfranchise innovative and devoted talents necessary to get students to want to learn. The design and implementation of learning taking place in created learning environment producing outcomes that are rewarding to all students.