concerted chaos
  • blog.
  • about.
  • workshops.
follow.

The Wisdom To Know The Difference: An Educator's Serenity Prayer

10/26/2012

1 Comment

 
God, grant me the serenity 
to accept the things I can't change, 
courage to change the things I can, 
and wisdom to know the difference. 

A very animated conversation in class today about the meaning of school left many students excited, but just as many frustrated.  The students generally divided between two positions.  Some said that school was boring, inhibited creativity, and we should Definitely Do Something About This.  The other group, generally speaking, also expressed frustration with the structure of school, but thought we should keep our heads down, mouth shut, and do what whomever in charge told us to do, because it wasn't going to make any difference anyway.

In a post-class tweet convo with Cheryl and Brian Bennett, I recalled the Serenity Prayer, and was surprised and gratified by the obvious applications to our in-class discussion. 

Some kids wanted us to Accept The Things We Cannot Change. 

Some wanted Courage to Change The Things They Can.  

I want wisdom to know the difference. Because contained within the kernel of this prayer and this conversation is also the inverse principle: if we can change they way things are, we have the responsibility to try to do so. 

And the way these things change is teaching students to not necessarily accept the status quo.  In pushing them outside their bubbles. In teaching them how to disagree in a non-confrontational manner--to disagree without screaming or hating your opponent. And by teaching kids to think for themselves. 
1 Comment
Cyndi link
2/10/2013 10:38:27 am

When you wrote this post, did you think back to the spring of 1997? I nearly lost my job trying to let you all change the things you could...

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    The Writer

    I'm Andrew. I write about learning. I like to learn. 

    The Writings

    October 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    April 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012

    The #CFC

    Cheryl Morris
    Karl Lindgren-Streicher
    Crystal Kirch
    Carolyn Durley
    Brian Bennett
    Katie Regan/Shari Sloane
    Kate Baker
    Audrey Double Mac
    Sam Patterson
    Delia Bush
    Lindsay Cole

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.