For example the expandiverse is an idea that could mean a world that could become all things to all people. Frankly, this new reality seems dreadfully frightening to me. Our systems will all be overwhelmed. Over population has always been a problem that has worried me. Aside from feeding, housing, educating more and more people, we need to know what we are going to do with their waste. I am not even thinking about what is equitable. Dr. Swann, a biology professor at San Francisco State University compared human population growth to the growth of yeast. Turns out they have very similar curves. Unfortunately this type of growth also makes the likelihood of mass extinction a reality.
Back to my classroom, and the reassuring words of Sir Ken Robinson. While we need to rethink our education systems, simple reform will not suffice. We need a revolution! Now this is a possibility that has a future. It is not going to be easy. As I know from the work I do in my classroom. I am constrained by many of the remnants of the Industrial Revolution. I am given a new batch of students every year. These students share the same age. They may not have much else in common. The result is that they become accustomed to fraternizing with people that are of a similar age. This is reinforced all the way through college and according to my daughter is one of the benefits of working for Google. Wouldn't it be wonderful if people were comfortable collaborating with all ages and all types of people. Maybe more empathy would develop and problems like systemic racism could cease. Teaching and networking could bring about an organic model that would customize learning to individual circumstances.
Another aspect of the Industrial Model of Education that still lurks in my classroom is conformity and compliance. It is not just the specter of standardized tests, but the lock step pacing that makes it difficult to break out of the mold. That is why I call my classroom practices akin to "threading the needle". I try to implement the curriculum as I have been directed, but I try to interweave my teaching with instruction that is tailored to my students interests and needs. In this way I work to promote engagement and student agency.
How can I get to the new organic model espoused by Sir Ken Robinson? Reading Linda Darling-Hammonds book "The Flat World and Education: How America's Commitment to Equity will Determine our Future" states some of the common practices that have worked for countries like Korea, Singapore and Finland. Many of the practices that countries that are making huge leaps in improving the education of their citizens, would also greatly improve my teaching. Instead of spending time proctoring standardized tests, I could have more time to invest in deeper dives into student driven projects. Funding my school with a more equitable allocation would make the possibility of adequate support staffing a reality. This would make it possible to have parent liaisons that other teachers and communities enjoy. Or an adequate number of school counselors to deal with the anxiety caused by a president and the immigration policies promoted. Or an adequate number of health professionals (aka nurses) that would make both staff and families feel more secure, especially during this global pandemic.
Lastly, having policies, standards and professional development that have a long term focus would help guide my practice. This would alleviate some of the issues my disenchanted colleagues have with what they consider a drive toward educational fads. It is important to grow, but it is important to value the work that has been done. As teachers we need to keep our joy of teaching alive and well. Remembering the words of Dalton Sherman, this is one of the most important characteristics that a teacher can encompass. We will need every ounce of joy to keep the revolution stoked and our students ready for the future, whatever it may be.