Hope in Activism
The headlines lately have depressed me. Olympic athletes who demonstrate a lack of character. Ricin scares in college dorms. Violence in Iraq. Fortunately, there have been some positive headlines, too. In the Big Easy, for example, where life has been far from easy, throngs of people are still finding reasons for joy. I read an article last week, too, about how increasing numbers of college graduates are applying to work in both Teach for America and the Peace Corps. Such uplifting news has caused the subject of this week's blog to be centered on people or ideas that provide hope for the future of education. First, the World of Opportunity gives me hope because it focuses solely on "one child at a time". Please visit the website to learn of the phenomenal things that the students at this school have accomplished. Author Susan Ohanian also gives me hope for the future of our youth. Susan is a tireless advocate for what is educationally moral. There are many links on her website to other sources of educational activism. Along those lines, the many contributors to the Act Now 2003 Newsgroup newsgroup have timely messages that speak to the need for educational change. Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't note the National Middle School Association's recent insightful response to the media's continued attacks on middle level education as a best practice for young adolescents.
If you have people, or groups, or curriculum that gives you hope, I'd love to hear about it. Please send the things that inspire you to me and I will pass them on to our readers!
