3 Things I learned from Network for Public Education Conference
I am Joe Bower (and that is Deborah Meier) and I teach in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. I wish to challenge 'traditional' schooling while exploring more progressive forms of education. I intend on using this blog to uproot some of the most deeply rooted myths that continue to distract people from a love for learning. And I am going to have fun doing it! |
I spent the weekend in Austin, Texas at the first Network for Public Education (NPE) and it was fantastic. You can find my day 1 post here and my day 2 post here.
Here are 3 things I learned from The Network for Public Education Conference:
1. Relationships. I was so happy to get a chance to meet some very cool people that, until this weekend, I had only known as avatars on Twitter. Don't get me wrong, I love social media -- while social media can help connect people by removing the obstacles of time and place, it is no substitute for real life, face to face relationships. I was so happy to meet and spend time with Kirsten Hill, Adam Holman, Jose Vilson, Stephanie Cerda, Xian Barrett,Audrey Watters, Sabrina Stevens, Katie Osgood and Phil Cantor.
I got to briefly meet Deb Meier, Anthony Cody, Diane Ravitch, and Chris Lehmann.
I got to briefly meet Deb Meier, Anthony Cody, Diane Ravitch, and Chris Lehmann.
2. Assault on Public Education. As the token Canadian at the conference, I was struck by the raw emotion that dominated the conference -- teachers are saddened and angered by the assault on public education lead by profiteers, politicians and privatizers.
The politics and problems killing American Education is complex, but here's my Wikipedia
The politics and problems killing American Education is complex, but here's my Wikipedia